Aggressive HDTV pricing expected for Christmas

Aggressive HDTV pricing expected for Christmas
Industry analysts are predicting the wildest promotional period yet for flat panel televisions during this year's Christmas shopping season. In particular 720p and 1080p displays are expected to get the highest visibility.

Some analysts believe plasma technology in particular will see a high sales volume. “Black Friday 2006 signified a passing of the torch from plasma to LCD at 42-inch,” said Sang Tang, HDTV research analyst with Current Analysis West, an NPD Group company. “This year, expect plasma to turn the tables on LCD. Plasma will be very aggressive at 50-inches and will maintain a foothold on the high-end market. In other words, there won't be a flat-panel shakeout this year. LCD maintains its mass consumer appeal, while plasma takes the high-end market.”



Tang also sees plasma to force a shift in focus for rear projection (RPTV) displays. In the recent past high end RPTV displays have been able to compete with plasma on the basis of offering 1080p. With plasma manufacturers focusing on that market segment, future RPTV development may need to be oriented toward lower end displays to remain viable. As analog television is replaced in many countries by digital, this could conceivably be a large market to conquer within the next 1-3 years.

With an ever growing market, and competition at every price point, this Christmas may be a good time for many consumers who have waited to jump into digital television, or maybe just to upgrade to new technology, to buy.

Source: This Week In Consumer Electronics

Written by: Rich Fiscus @ 23 Oct 2007 12:32
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  • 17 comments
  • nobrainer

    Well they have to offload all them screens that are not 100% compliant with HDCP before more crippled drm hdmi devices are about and in Europe and Australia they have got to get rid of all the sets that fail to meet the new strict guidelines that are being introduced early next year about power hungry electric appliances!

    http://www.boingboing.net/2006/05/23/hdmi-the-manchurian-.html

    Originally posted by link: Hollywood studios and some CE manufacturers have reportedly entered into an informal agreement to hold off on using the "image constraint token" in HDMI DRM until 2010 or 2012. The image constraint token is a flag in a video signal that instructs receivers, DVD players and other high-definition sources to "down-rez" their output to a low-definition signal when connecting to an "untrusted" screen or other sink.

    The effect is that if your screen or recorder isn't blessed by Hollywood, they can limit the video they send to it to a low-resolution image. Manufacturers who want the full signal have to enter into the HDMI license agreement and agree to cripple their hardware in lots of ways -- and have to promise not to make their equipment compatible with anyone else's, unless they, too, agree to cripple their hardware.

    23.10.2007 15:46 #1

  • sssharp

    I have been looking at these sets and have my mind set on dlp. The lcd's I see are just not what they are said to be. I hope they have a good price this year.

    23.10.2007 18:56 #2

  • Spenman91

    Quote:I have been looking at these sets and have my mind set on dlp. The lcd's I see are just not what they are said to be. I hope they have a good price this year.Me too.

    I already have a plasma and after a year and a half already, it has a green shade of color over everything. So I don't see myself getting another plasma this year. I might consider an LCD if the larger ones are cheap, but I still don't see the 65" ones being in my budget compared to 60"-70" DLPs.

    23.10.2007 21:45 #3

  • mspurloc

    Plasma will never be cheap enough that I'd consider buying a set at those prices with an average lifespan of 3 years. Sticking with LCD.

    23.10.2007 23:41 #4

  • Spenman91

    When I bought mine I thought it would last alot longer than it did but going on 2 years isn't at all what I expected. But When I bought mine they were thousands of dollars cheaper than LCD.

    24.10.2007 08:46 #5

  • ChiknLitl

    Quote:In the recent past high end RPTV displays have been able to compete with plasma on the basis of offering 1080p. With plasma manufacturers focusing on that market segment, future RPTV development may need to be oriented toward lower end displays to remain viableRPTV's compete with plasms by way of more than just 1080p. First and foremost is price per inch. With RPTV sets at up to 73" (Mitsubishi) for around $3500, plasma will have to drastically drop in price to entice the "mid range" buyer. Also , there are several RPTV's that many consider the picture to be as good, as if not better than, some plasmas. The Sony SXRD sets come immediately to mind.

    24.10.2007 08:56 #6

  • borhan9

    Well they have to be agressive because they have to get rid of the old stock and in with the new. The HDTV tuners will come in built in all sets eventually and then competition will still soar.

    24.10.2007 17:31 #7

  • kubapolak

    I am one of many, ( i'm pretty sure) who still waits for a good deal on a new tv. I still have the old analog tv, but since the reports are coming with "merry christams analysis" for the holiday season, it just might be time for me to upgrade.

    25.10.2007 13:01 #8

  • xhardc0re

    The longer we wait, the lower prices will go. With added features to boot. Sounds like a plan, especially with the 2008 deadline for analog to be phased out in the U.S.

    7.11.2007 04:10 #9

  • bmw100

    HELP - I am just trying to find out anything about HDtv tuners. I have a 30" philips hdtv set with no tuner (stupid freshman salesman forget to tell us this fact when we purchased it) I have searched high and far around here at Afterdawn and I am not having any luck at all. The internet is great at pointing you towards all the tuners already built into tv stets. I need a seperate unit that works with my tv, not my pc. GRRRRR!

    Beamer

    4.1.2008 16:41 #10

  • ChiknLitl

    If you are using a cable box or sattelite box you shouldn't need a tuner. If you are using basic cable (no hd signal) or an antenna then you will need a tuner box or even a VCR with a built in tuner. Google "t.v. tuner box" and there will be plenty of options.

    4.1.2008 22:20 #11

  • bmw100

    I'll check that out - thanks. I had googled HDTV tuners with out a whole lot of luck in what I was looking for.

    What I have is an assortment of local channels that are broadcasting in HD and I don't feel like paying a whole lot of extra dough for HD through Dish Network. So to get the loacal HD, I need the tuner. I have an antenna that is stuck on the roof and gets good recption otherwise (just no HD)

    Beamer

    5.1.2008 23:44 #12

  • bmw100

    I managed to find this :

    http://www.ntia.doc.gov/

    and this:

    http://dtvanswers.com/dtv_ready.html

    Haven't read much yet , but they are talking about $40.00 coupons on Digital converter boxes.

    Beamer

    5.1.2008 23:54 #13

  • bmw100

    Or try this if you can't get the stupid link to work like I had trouble with :

    https://www.dtv2009.gov/

    Beamer

    5.1.2008 23:59 #14

  • bmw100

    And here is a local Link I found :

    http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/12352.cfm

    Beamer

    6.1.2008 00:29 #15

  • ChiknLitl

    Those government subsidises boxes convert the digital signal to an analog signal. If you have the capability, try to get a tuner that accepts a digital signal. The current broadcast standard (U.S.) is analog or NTSC. The future standard will be digital or ATSC. You can get what some people consider to be the highest quality HD through your roof antenna for free. You don't need a new or special antenna. Just look for a tuner box with an ATSC tuner. The broadcast digital signal is great because you don't have the snow, artifacts, etc. You either will get the station nice and clear or it will be unwatchable (choppy or no signal).

    6.1.2008 09:41 #16

  • bmw100

    Thanks ChiknLitl. I will keep an eye peeled for those tuners.

    Beamer

    7.1.2008 17:51 #17

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