[opendtv] News: Flat Panels Now Most Popular TV
- From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: OpenDTV Mail List <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2006 06:59:57 -0500
http://www.tvweek.com/page.cms?pageId=413
November 30, 2006
Flat Panels Now Most Popular TV
New study says flat panels, and LCD technology, are gaining ground
More than 50 percent of televisions sold are now flat panels, making
the slim style the most popular in North America, according to a new
market research study.
Consulting company DisplaySearch released a study on Monday that
showed third quarter sales of flat panels, most of which are high
definition models, exceeding 50 percent of the market share for the
first time.
Meanwhile, despite flat panel prices dropping overall, the average
TV price rose 25 percent year-to-year to $549 due to the popularity
of the more-expensive style.
Among the flat panel technologies, LCD and plasma, the research
showed LCD is gaining some ground. Though plasma growth still
outpaces LCD in North America 38 percent to 35 percent, in every
other region of the world plasma sales were down, quarter to quarter.
While LCDs were up in most regions, and overtook CRTs (traditional
tube-based sets) in Europe for the first time.
"The problem is, there are too many players in the LCD space and
lots of LCD manufacturing coming on-line in China," said Pete Putman,
manager of ROAM Consulting and author column on HD issues.
The increased output of low-cost LCD panels and is manufacturers to
undercut plasma prices, particularly in smaller-sized models. Plus,
LCD technology is able to produce more panels in the new 1080p format
which consumers are clamoring for-even though there's no broadcast or
cable programming available in the format.
"The big problem for plasma is the 1080p issue," Mr. Putman said.
"The only plasma sets with 1080p resolution are 50" and above. That's
a big problem since consumers are tuned into having 1080p in
everything where they can get it."
Adding insult to injury for plasma manufactures, this month Consumer
Reports magazine released their flat panel reviews. Five LCD panels
received "Excellent" ratings in picture quality but, unlike last
year's issue, not one plasma panel received the top score.
Though Consumer Reports is often criticized as being
less-than-accurate in ranking subjective categories such as audio and
video quality, the magazine's influence is strong with shoppers.
The whole plasma-LCD war does have a major upside for consumers.
With plasma manufactures struggling to make their sales goals,
discounts have been steep this holiday season, with brand-name sets
down sharply from even a couple months ago.
This article is part of TVWeek.com's High Definition newsletter, a
weekly source of breaking HD news, articles and interviews written by
Senior Reporter James Hibberd.
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