We hear many rumors in these times of OLED and 4K developments. Out of Japan, we also hear that Panasonic is considering stopping research and development of plasma technology as early as March 2013 and instead focus on OLED. However, new plasma TVs will be released in the coming years, no matter the outcome of the decision.

Will Panasonic move to OLED?
According to sources in the industry, Panasonic is weighing whether to cease research and developments of plasma TV technology because LCD technology has advanced drastically in recent years. They will continue to sell plasma TVs in the coming year but if they decide to move on with the plan it could be over sooner rather than later.

Panasonic is allegedly considering stopping research as early as the end of their current financial year, which means end of March 2013. Instead Panasonic wants to move resources to OLED research that Panasonic and Sony are collaborating on.


Panasonic is considering ceasing plasma research and instead focus on OLED. Here you see the Panasonics VT50 plasma TV

It is not the first time that we hear about Panasonic’s OLED planes. Panasonic has already cut production of plasma TVs which leaves Samsung as the world’s largest Plasma TV maker. At the same time Panasonic has stepped up its presence in the LCD/LED market.

This is still just a rumor and Panasonic does not appear to have taken a final decision yet. The question is if Panasonic can stick with plasma if the market moves to 4K resolution? Plasma TVs can easily move to higher resolution but it also means an increase in power consumption which could be a problem after EU has implemented strict power consumption requirements for TV makers that will become even stricter in the coming years.

- Source: TMCnet