CNet: In the last several years, the display known for excellent picture quality has given ground to the exploding popularity of LCD (liquid crystal display) in the high-definition TV market. Though plasma TVs were first to reach consumers a decade ago, LCD TV manufacturers were able to bring the costs below their plasma counterparts with an efficient panel manufacturing process.
Now researchers are looking at ways to improve plasma’s brightness levels, power consumption and cost, and developers hope that will help plasma regain some of the ground it’s lost. Of course, LCD technology will also improve, but the closer pricing appears between the two, the more viable an alternative plasma becomes.
“Performance will be going up in both (plasma and LCD), but costs will be coming down faster in plasma,” according to Ross Young, president of market research firm DisplaySearch.
That’s good news for consumers. One of the biggest challenges in getting people to switch to high-definition TVs is the price.
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