After selling the TH-103PF10UK for $70,000 since its release in December 2006, the electronics maker slashed the price to $50,000. The display has a viewing space of 7.5 feet by 4 feet and can be matrixed in a 5-by-5 video wall.
"The combination of advancements in Plasma production technology and the tremendous worldwide success of the Panasonic 103-inch Plasma HD Display over the last two-plus years have enabled us to increase production as well as efficiencies, and thereby make it available to a wider range of customers at a lower price point," Andrew Nelkin, president of the Panasonic Professional Display, said in a statement.
Another reason for the price cut may be Panasonic's plans to begin production this year on a 150-inch plasma display, which will have a resolution of 2,160 by 4,096 pixels, or four times that of a 1,080p HD screen, according to the tech blog Engadget.
Panasonic launched the 1,080p, 103-inch display as a made-to-order product. Since then, more than 6,000 units have been installed worldwide, according to the company. Commercial uses in the United States include NBC's Sunday Night Football studio, TNT Network's NBA Playoffs studio, and New York's City Hall.
The product is sold with a three-year warranty and has a 100,000-hour service life.
Each year, InformationWeek honors the nation's 500 most innovative users of business technology. Companies with $250 million or more in revenue are invited to apply for the 2009 InformationWeek 500. Deadline extended to May 15.
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