I am currently looking into purchasing a 37 inch plasma television. After reading a couple reviews I found this one to be very appealing. The TH-37PWD6UY is the ‘professional’ version of the two which lacks built in speakers and a tuner. Since I plan on using my own speakers and no tuner at all, this option seems best for me. However, the few listings I find online for this model seem too good to be true, I’m talking like $1500 or less. Though I was confused when the model did not appear on Pricegrabber, I later saw an online merchant listing the model as ‘Discontinued’. This really bummed me out because the non-professional version which is available but has stuff I don’t need runs for about $2000.
Does anyone have any information as to why this model was discontinued after getting such a great review? I am tempted to purchase it even though it is discontinued but I’m afraid it was discontinued for a good reason like some crazy defect.
Side question: Anyone have any other recommendations for a 37 inch plasma display? I am using it to play movies and other video off my computer so no tuner is necessary. I am looking for the best value. Thanks in advance to anyone interested in helping me out!
Plasma prices are plummeting. The model which replaced the replacement for my £3500 screen is now on sale for £1800 - which includes an all-in-one home cinema system. Waaaaaaah! 
I love my TH42PW5B, but damn!
[Wild-Assed Guess]
I would think that the loaded version carries more profit and is more likely to appeal to consumers, which is why you can find it. Display-only are normally wanted by people using them as info screens and the like (more cheaply done with a budget or no-name screen) or real home cinema buffs (who would mock a puny 37 inch display), so there may not have been a market for that particular model.
[/Wild-Assed Guess]
Panasonic replaces their plasma screens just about every year, with a new generation of technology. These are older generation models now, so they are discontinued in favor of the new generations.
The new 42PD50U lists for $1,999, that’s a bigger screen and comes with tuner/speakers etc. The 37PWD8UK is the new pro model, $1,895, the 42" version is $2,095.
Oh, one thing I didn’t like about the PWD model is that it had different inputs than the consumer TV, so I’d have trouble with hooking up both HD cable and my DVD. If you go with the pro models, make sure to check that closely, you might have to buy and install extra input boards to make it work the way you want. On the flip side, the consumer models might not have the PC input you want…
Oh, one other thing, I noticed a lot of online companies located in Brooklyn selling displays at ridiculously low prices. I mean, you’d see a price $500 less than everyone else, they’d always be in Brooklyn. :dubious:
I bought mine from my local electronics store.
Yeah, I was scouring sites for the lowest prices and the lowest price I found was killed by the shipping charge. Then I realized it was in Brooklyn and the cost of tax is alot less than getting it shipped properly. I think I have decided on a 42 inch model that is similar in costs. I don’t understand the pricing scheme. At first I looked for a 32 inch but I kept finding 2000 dollar models. Up to 37 inch the prices got lower and the same model (basically) but bigger in size is actually cheaper. So weird, but hey, it works for me.