LCD TV shipments show first yearly dip

The liquid crystal display TV market is beginning to lose some steam.

The fourth quarter was the first time that the total number of shipments of LCD TVs in the US was lower than the same quarter the previous year. Just 8.7 million units were shipped during the last quarter of 2008, a 2 percent decline from the 8.9 million shipped during the same time in 2007, according to recent data released by DisplaySearch, which tracks the TV industry.

In December, DisplaySearch issued a warning that in 2009, revenue from selling LCD TVs will also fall for the first time ever.

Plasma TV makers were ready for this, it seems. Plasma TV shipments actually increased 28 percent during the fourth quarter of 2008 (peak holiday season), and overall were up 10 percent for the year.

Plasma may have seen a bigger demand during the quarter because of the current economic climate and increasingly cost-conscious buyers: Plasma tends to be more cost effective, and TVs sporting the technology are generally 5 to 10 percent lower in price than similarly sized LCD TVs, according to Paul Gagnon, who monitors the TV market for DisplaySearch. In some cases, plasma shipments actually grew at the expense of LCD, he said.


Read more »

Pioneer confirms withdrawal from display business

We've just received the official press release from Pioneer detailing its latest business results and restructuring measures. To curb the company's current US$287.3 million operating losses, Pioneer is halting all display-related product development, leading to a complete withdrawal by March 2010. While this may spell the end for Pioneer's highly regarded Kuro plasma TVs, aftersales services for these products will continue to be provided to its customers.

Based on reliable information from an industry insider, the exit could be a temporary measure with possibility for a future revival of Pioneer's plasma business. Besides an impact on its plasma TVs, the press release also indicated a joint venture in optical disc products such as DVD and Blu-ray players. With these restructuring plans within its home electronics division, the company will be focusing its efforts on its audio products, DJ equipment and cable TV settop box businesses.

Another major announcement is Pioneer's shift in emphasis to car electronics. It has plans to expand into Blu-ray and network-ready car stereos, as well as strengthen its telematics offerings including in-car navigation systems.

Vizio drops plasma TVs

Yet another one bites the plasma TV dust. Barely has Pioneer officially announced its departure from the plasma TV business when Vizio, a US-centric brand which turned the HDTV market on its head with its low-priced sets, is now set to concentrate all of its TV efforts on LCD. While Vizio doesn't impact Asia so much, the slow exodus of brands out of plasma could spell eventual doom for the segment.

The California-based flat-panel maker will no longer produce plasma TVs, according to a recent report in The New York Times. It was the third-largest plasma TV maker in the US as of the end of the third quarter of 2008, with 13 percent of all shipments, according to DisplaySearch.

Vizio co-founder Laynie Newsome told the Times the reasons for the move away from plasma TVs were that they didn't sell as well in big-box stores due to the harsh lighting and Vizio would rather use its established retail presence to push LCD TVs instead. Vizio is also the third-largest LCD TV maker in the US, with 8.4 percent of shipments.


Read more »

Apple survey prelude to Apple TV revamp?

Apple appears to be preparing to get serious about Apple TV.

The company's link between the computer and the big-screen television has long been considered a "hobby" in the eyes of Apple CEO Steve Jobs, at least when viewed against major projects like the Mac, the iPod, and the iPhone. But signs have been growing that Apple is thinking about making a more significant investment behind Apple TV.

The most recent tip was a survey that Apple conducted online on Tuesday, which has since disappeared from the company's Web site although was captured by AppleInsider. In that survey, Apple asked Apple TV owners a number of questions about the sources of video they are watching on the device, as well as asking owners to describe the one thing they would change about the device.

Apple TV's shortcomings are well documented: It can't play DVDs, it can't connect to your cable or satellite service, and it doesn't have a browser for accessing the millions of Internet videos that can't be found on YouTube. But sales have nonetheless picked up in the year since Apple decided to open up the device to movie rentals through the iTunes Store, instead of requiring owners to purchase movies.


Read more »

Exotic and ridiculously expensive loudspeakers

The sky's the limit when it comes to hi-fi and if you have USS$200,000 of loose change, you might like to take a closer look at NBS Cables' latest E.V.A. and Butter/fly speaker systems. This kit has an exotic design which hardly resembles anything remotely similar to a conventional loudspeaker. Its most interesting feature is a pair of 48 inch-tall pyramids. These have a unique smooth, grille-free finish and are designed to reproduce music in a room via indirect sound radiation.

We figured it's pretty pointless to go further into the nitty-gritty bits for such a premium product since its buyers will probably care less about value. That said, if you need some nicely packaged speaker cables to go with the system, the price for its Black Label II-series starts at a "bargain" US$12,000 for a 1.2m pair. Click here for your local distributorship availability.

Via Bornrich

Crave is...

The name says it all. Crave is our blog about cool gadgets and other crushworthy stuff.

Drop us an email if you have tips or suggestions.

Crave for...

» Mobile Phones (2229)

» Digital Cameras (980)

» Notebooks (1233)

» PC & Peripherals (1310)

» Handhelds (584)

» Printers (82)

» Home AV (1145)

» Music & Play (893)

» Gadgets (1483)

» Future Tech (394)

» Green Tech (172)

» Lifestyle (157)

» Luxury (22)

» Home Appliances (57)

» Cars (99)

» Games and Gear (247)

» Software (94)

» Web (115)

Previously...

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Hot Topics

Subscribe to
Crave

What's Hot

apple apple inc. apple iphone apple ipod asia battery camera game google inc. iphone microsoft corp. microsoft windows mobile phone photograph singapore smart phone software sony corp. video

Today on CNET |  Reviews |  Crave |  Blogs |  CNET TV |  Digital Living |  Downloads