[opendtv] The HDTV Buzz
- From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: OpenDTV Mail List <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2005 08:56:39 -0500
http://www.hoovers.com/free/news/detail.xhtml?ArticleID=3DNR20050109700.75_6=
6000000000123f1
January 11, 2005 11:37am
Courier-Post
Oversized screens go over in big way for more families
By EILEEN SMITH
Courier-Post Staff
As Eagles fans anticipate the playoffs, the blitz is on for super-size scree=
ns.
At Tina and Shawn Leafy's home in West Deptford,=20
a 92-inch cinema-size home theater is already in=20
place, awaiting the kickoff.
"It's like we're on the field,' Tina Leafy said. "The high-def blows us away=
=2E'
Higher quality and lower prices also are fueling=20
the fervor for bigger and better screens.=20
Retailers expect to sell twice as many=20
plasma-screen televisions and three times as many=20
LCD -- liquid crystal display -- televisions this=20
year, according to the Consumer Electronics=20
Association.
Shawn Leafy said the home theater has become the=20
equivalent of the hearth, the place where the=20
couple gathers with their four children.
"From an entertainment standpoint, the sound and=20
detail are phenomenal,' he said. "It's also a=20
great center for the family.'
The Leafys' system was designed and installed by=20
TheaterXtreme, a rapidly expanding Newark,=20
Del.-based company that specializes in=20
front-projection home theaters. CEO Scott Oglum=20
said demand for cinema-size screens doubled in=20
the weeks before last year's Super Bowl -- and=20
orders in anticipation of the big game are up 250=20
percent over last year.
"There is nothing to compare to watching the game=20
larger than life in high definition, being able=20
to see every drop of sweat, every fantastic=20
play,' he said. "You can hear the crunch when the=20
players make contact, the coaches yelling from=20
the sidelines.'
TheaterXtreme systems typically range in price=20
from $3,000-$9,000. While home theaters are=20
growing in popularity, most consumers still buy=20
traditional CRT -- or cathode ray tube -- sets.
That technology has been on the market for a=20
generation, said David Heim, deputy editor of=20
Consumer Reports.
But today, screens are bigger and prices are=20
lower. Models with 40-inch screens are widely=20
available for less than $1,000, he said.=20
High-definition will bump up the cost at least=20
$250.
"If you're serious about watching television, it=20
makes sense to go for the wide screen,' Heim=20
said. "The same thing goes for CRTs that have=20
high-def capability.'
To fulfill the demand for HDTV in time for the=20
first Eagles' playoff game Jan. 16, Comcast=20
installers are working extended hours, starting=20
as early as 7 a.m. and working as late as 8 p.m.
"We're also scheduling on the weekends so people=20
can get high-def in time to watch the Eagles,'=20
said spokesman Patrick MacElroy.
The ranks of HDTV customers grew 150 percent in=20
2004, with a decided spike during big football=20
games.
"It starts right after Christmas with the college=20
bowl season and will go all the way through the=20
Super Bowl on Feb. 6,' MacElroy said.
Comcast research indicates Americans are becoming=20
more sophisticated in choosing televisions. In a=20
recent survey by International Communications=20
Research, 50 percent of respondents said a=20
high-def TV was a critical component of a home=20
entertainment system. That number jumped to 70=20
percent for respondents ages 35-44.
At HiFi Sales in Cherry Hill, systems designer=20
Pat Mattucci said the seasonal rush is on.
"All our designers are working hard to keep up=20
with the customers who want their home theater in=20
time to watch the Eagles,' he said.
In sales of TV sets, plasma is flowing.
"It's through the roof, absolutely,' he said.
The most popular model is a 50-inch Pioneer Elite=20
model, which retails for $9,000. But falling=20
prices are enticing a growing number of consumers=20
to step up to a 60-inch screen.
"Two years ago, a 60-inch screen would cost you=20
$17,000-$20,000,' Mattucci said. "Now you can get=20
a nice set for $10,000.'
The vast majority of big-screen customers are=20
male, he said. But built-in components and=20
ultra-slim screens are helping to get wives on=20
board when it comes time to write a big check.
"The look of the room is very important to women,=20
who don't like speakers the size of coffins,"=20
Mattucci observed. "But because plasma is flat=20
and looks cool on the wall, women like it."
Reach Eileen Smith at (856) 486-2444 or esmith@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Copyright =A9 2005 The Courier Post
Copyright =A9 2003 The Dialog Corporation
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