Plasma TV's that are still considered the best large screen flat panel TV's in the market today are booming with sales up 37% according to DisplaySearch.

During the past quarter sales have increased18 percent with Panasonic increasing their share of the HD plasma market by 39%. Samsung, LGE and Pioneer were the next best performers.

The shipment totals which were the second-highest quarterly results ever, were 6% ahead of what was forecast.

The most popular size plasmas continue to be 42-inch models, with 50-inch panels growing from 26 percent of shipments to 29%. DisplaySearch reports that 32-inch models accounted for nearly 12% of shipments, growing 20% quarter-over-quarter.

"The HD share of 32" plasma panel shipments declined, falling from 37% to 23% of units, as 32" LCD panel prices declined rapidly in Q3'08, thereby reducing the attractive pricing advantage plasma enjoyed in the 32" TV category," says Paul Gagnon, DisplaySearch Director of North America TV Market Research.

"In addition, aggressively lower retail prices at the end of Q3'08 for 42" and 50" HD plasma TVs are leading to a surge in demand for these models worldwide, especially in North America, and pushing overall plasma panel shipments sharply higher."

Plasma Panel Revenue Share and Growth by Supplier