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According to market research firm, iSuppli, plasma display panel shipments grew 27% in the third quarter of 2007 to reach 3 million units, owing to rise in demand from end markets as prices for plasma sets have been decreasing. In the past year or so, plasma displays have again been able to get consumer attention, particularly in the 50-inch and larger sizes, even though it is too early to suggest that plasma displays will capture the pride of place that they were expected to take amongst display types.
It is pertinent to take a quick peek at the history of plasma displays that find their most common applications in flat-panel plasma TVs and computer monitors. Ironically, while the technology trend worldwide is towards miniaturization and fitting gadgets into the consumerâs palm, the plasma display proudly boasts of popularizing large screen televisions.
A typical plasma display consists of closely packed cells, enclosed in glass paneling, filled with inert gases like neon. These displays support over 1000 lux brightness with a wide spectrum color compatibility that can be stretched over 150 inches of screen size.
Though plasma display televisions came into existence in the 1960s, mass production of the affordable CRT television soon made the more expensive plasma TV redundant & obsolete.
However, technologists the world over did not lose hope. The plasma TV went through 3 decades of development in labs the world over. In the 1990s when the plasma screen television was re-launched by electronic giants, it received a massive welcome. Though priced at over 20 times the price of common cathode ray tube TVs, the plasma targeted a niche audience. With prices of plasma screen TVs ranging from $2000 to $5000 in the 1990s, it was only relatively high net-worth individuals who could afford the gizmo. Developments in technology and mass production capabilities have meant that plasma display prices have since fallen significantly to catch the fancy of a much wider audience. The market gain momentum when leading plasma display makers started offering plasma TVs at prices starting less than $1500.
.. yet, there have been challenges
Despite the progress made since the late 1990s and early part of this decade, the fact is that plasma displays are yet to reach the level of market penetration that they were expected to. In many ways, this could be attributed to the competition with LCD technology (liquid crystal display technology), which has taken up a significant share of the large flat-panel display market, particularly for televisions.
In order to capture some of the market share, the five biggest plasma TV makers in the world (Hitachi, LG Electronics, Panasonic, Pioneer and Samsung) got together a couple of years ago to form the Plasma Display Consortium (PDC). The objective of the consortium is to promote the growth of the plasma display TV market and create a better understanding of the benefits and advantages of plasma displays in home entertainment.
The consortium initially focused on removing the prevalent myths about plasma display technology, such as these display panels leak gas or that their power consumption is very high. Towards this end, the consortium engaged a third-party consulting firm to test five latest models of 50-inch plasma TVs.
The results from the tests on the plasma display TVs were staggering: âa contrast ration of 3000:1 resulting in deep blacks at viewing angles of up to 157º and color reproduction of up to 90% of the REC 709 full-high-definition color specification.â The plasma displays also showed lower image smearing or lag, as well as image retention or burn-in.
This certainly points to a brighter future for plasma displays, though it is unlikely that the competition with LCD technology will abate any time soon.
It is pertinent to take a quick peek at the history of plasma displays that find their most common applications in flat-panel plasma TVs and computer monitors. Ironically, while the technology trend worldwide is towards miniaturization and fitting gadgets into the consumerâs palm, the plasma display proudly boasts of popularizing large screen televisions.
A typical plasma display consists of closely packed cells, enclosed in glass paneling, filled with inert gases like neon. These displays support over 1000 lux brightness with a wide spectrum color compatibility that can be stretched over 150 inches of screen size.
Though plasma display televisions came into existence in the 1960s, mass production of the affordable CRT television soon made the more expensive plasma TV redundant & obsolete.
However, technologists the world over did not lose hope. The plasma TV went through 3 decades of development in labs the world over. In the 1990s when the plasma screen television was re-launched by electronic giants, it received a massive welcome. Though priced at over 20 times the price of common cathode ray tube TVs, the plasma targeted a niche audience. With prices of plasma screen TVs ranging from $2000 to $5000 in the 1990s, it was only relatively high net-worth individuals who could afford the gizmo. Developments in technology and mass production capabilities have meant that plasma display prices have since fallen significantly to catch the fancy of a much wider audience. The market gain momentum when leading plasma display makers started offering plasma TVs at prices starting less than $1500.
.. yet, there have been challenges
Despite the progress made since the late 1990s and early part of this decade, the fact is that plasma displays are yet to reach the level of market penetration that they were expected to. In many ways, this could be attributed to the competition with LCD technology (liquid crystal display technology), which has taken up a significant share of the large flat-panel display market, particularly for televisions.
In order to capture some of the market share, the five biggest plasma TV makers in the world (Hitachi, LG Electronics, Panasonic, Pioneer and Samsung) got together a couple of years ago to form the Plasma Display Consortium (PDC). The objective of the consortium is to promote the growth of the plasma display TV market and create a better understanding of the benefits and advantages of plasma displays in home entertainment.
The consortium initially focused on removing the prevalent myths about plasma display technology, such as these display panels leak gas or that their power consumption is very high. Towards this end, the consortium engaged a third-party consulting firm to test five latest models of 50-inch plasma TVs.
The results from the tests on the plasma display TVs were staggering: âa contrast ration of 3000:1 resulting in deep blacks at viewing angles of up to 157º and color reproduction of up to 90% of the REC 709 full-high-definition color specification.â The plasma displays also showed lower image smearing or lag, as well as image retention or burn-in.
This certainly points to a brighter future for plasma displays, though it is unlikely that the competition with LCD technology will abate any time soon.
Uniden has introduced a family of interference-free Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT 6.0) cordless telephones. The line-up includes two models, the DECT 1080-2 and the DECT 1060-2, and utilizes technology that operates on the 1.9 GHz frequency band. Uniden says this will allow consumers to avoid interference with many household products, such as baby monitors, microwaves, and Wi-Fi.
Aside from the existing caller ID, call waiting, three-way conference calling and call transfer between handsets, the new DECT 6.0 phones also features enhanced voice quality, high security and voice protection in a phone of its kind, Uniden claims.
Aside from the existing caller ID, call waiting, three-way conference calling and call transfer between handsets, the new DECT 6.0 phones also features enhanced voice quality, high security and voice protection in a phone of its kind, Uniden claims.
Hitachi announced the development of an ultra thin plasma display panel (PDP) that is a mere 1.5-inches in depth, or about one third thinner than comparable plasma displays currently available in the market.
According to the Japanese company, the challenges in producing a thin plasma display greatly exceed those associated with developing a thin LCD (liquid crystal display). With this announcement, Hitachi hopes to seize an early lead in the rapidly emerging and commercially attractive new category of Ultra Thin plasma display panels.
Developed using highly proprietary and innovative technology, Hitachiâs ultra-thin PDP is 50 inches in screen size. The company expects to commercialize the product by late 2009 and other sizes may be available at that time.
According to the Japanese company, the challenges in producing a thin plasma display greatly exceed those associated with developing a thin LCD (liquid crystal display). With this announcement, Hitachi hopes to seize an early lead in the rapidly emerging and commercially attractive new category of Ultra Thin plasma display panels.
Developed using highly proprietary and innovative technology, Hitachiâs ultra-thin PDP is 50 inches in screen size. The company expects to commercialize the product by late 2009 and other sizes may be available at that time.