Lcds Archive

  • Pioneer officially leaving the TV biz by March 2010, focusing on audio

    Pioneer officially leaving the TV biz by March 2010, focusing on audio

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    Bad news Kuro fans, the rumors were true and Pioneer is leaving the TV manufacturing business. On the upside, the restructuring deadline is March 2010, so a predicted net 130 billion yen ($1.44 billion) loss shouldn't be enough to get between you and the plasma HDTV of your dreams. The company's U.S. and U.K. plants are shutting down by April and February of this year, respectively, and product development for TVs beyond what's currently on the market is ending, seeing no prospects for improving profitability even after combining plasma efforts with Panasonic and LCDs with Sharp. Overall, there will be 10,000 fewer full time and temporary Pioneer employees than there were at the end of last year, while pay and bonuses for execs have been cut. The future for Pioneer? Mostly car audio, including in-car Blu-ray players and networked electronics, while its home electronics business focus on audio, DJ equipment and cable TV boxes, with a focus on using its expertise in improving sound. All other ugly details are contained in the press release, mourning the passing of another plasma supplier is in the comments.

    [Via Bloomberg and AV Watch, thanks Carl H.]

    Pioneer officially leaving the TV biz by March 2010, focusing on audio originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 03:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • VIZIO kicks plasma to the curb, will focus on LCD TVs

    VIZIO kicks plasma to the curb, will focus on LCD TVs

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    We've certainly seen mixed reviews for VIZIO plasmas, but it seems that those very reviews will be the last of their breed. According to the New York Times, VIZIO co-founder Laynie Newsome has confirmed that its existing PDPs will be the last the company sells. Looking back, you'll notice that only LCDs were introduced by the outfit at CES, and while Pioneer may or may not completely abandon its TV initiatives, Americans can now definitively count on just three major players to provide for their plasma desires: LG, Samsung and Panasonic. Newsome stated that the decision was made for a number of reasons. First, PDP sets simply "don't show as well in big box stores," and VIZIO wanted to "devote all of its available shelf space to the technology that moves off the shelves fastest." We're a tad torn as to whether we should weep here, but regardless, a fond farewell is in order.

    VIZIO kicks plasma to the curb, will focus on LCD TVs originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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