TV makers get ahead of themselves as customers go slow on 3D sets

 TV makers get ahead of themselves as customers go slow on 3D sets

PEOPLE are buying a lot of televisions but mostly passing on 3D, according to a report released this week.

According to the research group DisplaySearch, TV manufacturers sold 247 million TVs worldwide in 2010 — a 17 per cent increase over the previous year, when the world was embroiled in the worst of the global downturn.
But while TV sales were strong in Europe and Japan, in the US consumers remained too spooked by the recession to splurge on a new set for most of the year.
"As unemployment remains high and consumers remain sensitive to price, budget-conscious consumers have been surprised by limited price declines," said Paul Gagnon, director of TV research in North America at DisplaySearch.
Mr Gagnon added that manufacturers chose to add premium features such as 3D displays and internet connectivity instead of slash prices.

In all, DisplaySearch estimated manufacturers were only able to sell about 3.2 million 3D TVs — which cost several hundred dollars more than regular TVs — around the world in 2010.
However slow sales can't be blamed entirely on high prices. Another problem is that there isn't enough 3D content yet for consumers to watch.
It will take more 3D movies, TV shows and games for shoppers to justify the price of a 3D TV, analysts say.
"TV manufacturers really got ahead of themselves in 2010, and they forgot that a TV is a tool to watch content," said Paul Gray, director of TV electronics research at DisplaySearch.
The future may see more 3D content, if DisplaySearch's forecast is any indication. The research group expects sales of 3D TVs to reach 91 million in 2014.


http://www.news.com.au/technology/tv-makers-get-ahead-of-themselves-as-customers-shy-away-from-3d-sets/story-e6frfrnr-1225982454625