As competition lessens, so will innovation.Sorry to see Pioneer go.

I have a Pioneer 5070 and it is a fine set. However, it is an example of why Pioneer got itself in trouble in the plasma business. When I bought mine, it was $3500 at Best Buy while similar, if slightly less capable Panasonic panels were almost $1,000 less. There simply was not that much difference in the performance of the units. (I got mine on-line, so the spread was only about $500.) That $800 to $1,000 spread continues today for the 768p models and is even worse for the 1080p models (vs. Panasonic).

Worse, the Panasonic sets get better reviews in Consumer Reports (but Pioneer gets better reviews in the enthusiast press).
Pioneer has been simply over-pricing its products and this only works when a technology is very new or if you want to be a boutique brand catering to a relative few people with more money than sense.

Yup I would definately buy Pioneer if it was cheaper. I also know Panasonic is not as good as Pioneer but with huge price difference I don't mind it.

Pioneer take a big slice of your prices and you will get buyers that's a fact :-)

Another example...

In today's Best Buy ad the 50" Pioneer 1080p set is $5,000 (down from $6,000). The 50" "standard" Panasonic 50" 1080p is $2600 and the "Magnolia" upscale Panasonic 50" 1080 p is $3,000. The 58" Panasonic 1080p is $5,000.

So the Pioneer is 2x the cost of a Panasonic similar. Inky black blacks vs. near-inky black blacks is simply not worth paying 2x for at these prices.