According to the latest research from independent analyst DisplaySearch, flat panel plasma TV shipments were actually up over 30% in 2010, compared to a 1.5% decline the prior year. Why, you might ask? Well I'd like to think that it's indicative of the fact that plasma TVs still produce a picture that is superior to most LCD and LED TVs, at least in critical areas like black levels and uniformity. But a more likely explanation is that plasma pricing declined more quickly than LCD and LED TV pricing in 2010, a fact which appealed to many cash-poor consumers.

DisplaySearch believes that this trend may not continue as pricing of larger LCD and LED flat panels continue to decline, as flat panel TV market saturation increases and as the incentives for upgrade to a flat panel TV, such as Japan's "eco-points" program, expire. Japan's eco-points program provided consumers with monetary incentives to upgrade older power-hungry TVs to more modern, more energy efficient models. And while LED TVs may have plasma beat for overall power efficiency, both technologies are significantly more efficient than the old CRT sets.

You can see a summary of the research in our article:

Why Flat-Panel Plasma, LCD and LED TV Growth Rates May Slow in 2011

And chime in here if you have any opinions on the subject.

-CB