Maybe the American consumer is much more savvy and after doing his research finds that he prefers Panasonic plasma sets over all other manufacturers.

in the us, no one wants a hitachi tv regardless. 

here its all about the pioneers and pannys for plasma.

plasma power consumption tends to be much higher than LCDs or even CRTs

Gee... Americans picking the more power conserving option, LCD flat panels over the plasmas. who would of thought it?

We didn't even have a benevolent government force us.

Hitachi et al should not be so perplexed. LCD panels now look just as good as plasma panels unless you're running them in direct sunlight and they offer competitive viewing angles, plus the LCD panels are thinner, far lighter, suffer less burn-in, run cooler and consume less energy. And after the early years of plasma panels having been far more costly to the consumer, the relatively recent price corrections just cannot overcome the lost momentum.

The real question I think should be why plasma remains popular in Japan. Are they size queens seeking out larger panels? Are they playing video games on them? Not a clue.

After So Many Articles on LCD Vs. Plasma & Sony Up & Quiting ALL Plasma, Now additional Plasma Losses, Its LCD World. However....

Wheres GLASS theINQ has told US about, Generation after Generation. Theres NO Glass in my LCD Screen, Its ALL PLASTIC. Ya-

Screen Plastic 100% Scratchable. Everything else is Plastic too, So wheres this Generation 8.5 Glass? Did someone forget Glass? In same Node, WHY Have Glass When Plastic Will Do?
Dosn't that mean this lcd stuff is bit overpriced due to some NOT Needed GLASS? Eva without Glass if picture bright,(& cheap) its winner.
drashek