Audio Video News

Vizio has just announced it will get out of the plasma business altogether, due in large part to the overwhelming popularity of LCDs and the vanishing price gap between the two technologies. According to company co-founder Laynie Newsome, plasmas don't sell as well in big-box stores because LCDs look more impressive in brightly lit aisles, and the company must concentrate on products that move off the shelves the fastest.

This is incredibly sad news for those of us who prefer plasma for its generally superior picture quality, especially since Vizio's latest—and now last—plasma TV, the VP505XVT, is such an incredible value with great performance for a mere $1500. It certainly beats the Vizio LCDs we've seen to date in terms of picture quality.

Vizio will sell its remaining stock of this and other plasma models, but if you're thinking of getting one, you'd better act fast—it will probably be only a matter of weeks before they're gone for good. The company will continue to fully support for the plasmas, including free 1-year in-home service and lifetime phone and e-mail support.

LCD TVs will become Vizio's sole focus in the display market, with many models now or soon to become available. I'm particularly interested in seeing its new LED-backlit LCD TV that was introduced at CES, but that won't be available until June or July. Meanwhile, if the rumors of Pioneer's exit from the plasma business are confirmed, that will leave only LG, Panasonic, and Samsung to carry the plasma banner in the US.