Noooo! Panasonic exiting plasma TV business in 2014

Baby, please don't go.

Can you say, bummer? According to Reuters, Panasonic will completely pull out of the plasma TV business by the end of March 2014. This is a major downer for videophiles everywhere as Panasonic has been the picture-quality king for the past several years. Their affordable and great-performing plasmas have been the cornerstone of many a home theatre setup - (their latest ST60 series was our TV of 2013). "The move is in line with the strategy adopted by company President Tsuga since he took charge in June 2012. Panasonic is trying to engineer a turnaround away from low-margin consumer electronics goods to products catering to automakers and other business clients." This is the clarion call - go buy a Panasonic plasma before it's too late!

@techandjunk

APPROVED! Panasonic ST60 series Tech and Junk's TV of 2013

"Approved!" is the section of this site dedicated to answering that haunting question of "what should I get?" Whether it be a phone or television, video game or console, car or refrigerator - if it's "Approved!" it's a stone-cold winner and a must buy for its genre. These are the Tech and Junk gadget recommendations.

Panasonic ST60

The Panasonic ST60 is THE television you should buy, if you're going to buy this year. Regardless of which size (50", 55", 60" or 65") suits your budget/space needs - this is the one. Critically acclaimed and gorgeous - this series of plasma televisions are by and away the best value you will find, period. Check out some of the reviews below if you find yourself so inclined and enjoy the links to a couple retailers in case you want to pull the trigger - rest reassured you won't be disappointed. This is Tech and Junk's Approved! Television of 2013.

CNET Review: http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/panasonic-tc-p55st60/4505-6482_7-35567256.html

The Wirecutter Review: http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-tv-panasonic-st60/

Sound & Vision Review: http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/article/test-report-panasonic-tc-p60st60-3d-plasma-hdtv

BUY IT! Do it. You know you want to.

Best Buy

Amazon

Panasonic

TV Brand Shorthand - What's behind the name?

Let's be honest - those of us that claim to be videophiles all know the "truth" when it comes to TV picture quality. As such, when we visit a friend's or acquaintance's home and we see their set - the TV brand shorthand blares in our minds. I know what you're thinking and yes; It is a judgement - no 'ands' 'if's' or 'buts' about it. But as videophiles we simply cannot help it. Consider this an education.

You will be judged.

Panasonic - "He knows something."
Samsung - "He thinks he knows something."
Sony - "He paid too much for that."
LG - "He thought 'it doesn't look that different'."
Sharp - "He thought yellow pixels were the next big thing (or the salesmen)."
Phillips - "He thought that hotel televisions screamed shic."
Toshiba - "He thought 'that's a Japanese company, right?'."
Vizio - "He thought he might as well try this flat-panel business."

Painful, I know. May you go forth, living a more learned television life.