Audio Video News

Hitachi has become the latest TV maker to announce that it will buy the glass panels for its plasma sets from Panasonic.

The decision follows a similar one a few months ago by Pioneer.

Plasma is the second most popular form of flat-panel HDTV. And it's an excellent performer, as the Panasonic folks (among others) vigorously insist. But LCDs still outsell them. And there are fewer manufacturers making the heavy glass sandwich that goes into plasma sets.

The Reuters report speculates that Hitachi's decision may eventually lead to a total withdrawal from the plasma business, presumably to concentrate on LCD sets (such as the attractive ultra-thin ones shown at CEDIA). Hitachi's TV operations have lost money for the last three years.