DUBAI, UAE: Panasonic has introduced an additional nine LCD and eight plasma high definition VIERA TVs for the growing Middle East market in 2009.
Panasonic now offers three distinct advantages for the consumer, including enhanced unique features like 'Full-time Full HD' and VIERA Image Viewer function for the playback of pictures & videos by SD card which the manufacturer claim to be world's first in a flat panel TV.
"The way people see TV in the Middle East has dramatically evolved, and our products are designed to match our customer's changing lifestyles," said Abby Thomas, Senior Manager, Consumer Electronics Department, Panasonic Marketing Middle East. "Panasonic is committed to making leading entertainment technology readily available to our customers."
This year's VIERA models feature enhanced VIERA Image Viewer function. The VIERA Image Viewer (SD Card Link) is now a standard feature on all 2009 models. Consumers can watch instantly the pictures and videos they took, by simply plugging in the SD card into the TV. It uses three easy steps: Shoot, Insert, and See. Consumers can now enjoy still pictures and videos at their fingertips, with a direct playback option on their VIERA.
'Full-time Full HD' is a unique development by Panasonic in their new VIERA plasma models. Panasonic has improved motion image performance, contrast and colour reproduction to deliver a new level of picture quality to consumers. Now, when watching both still and motion pictures, consumers can enjoy 'Full-time Full HD' and enjoy clear, razor-sharp motion images, similar to the visual experience they enjoy at the cinema.
New NeoPDP display panels for all 2009 VIERA Plasma TV offer exciting new possibilities in image quality. Twice the luminous efficiency of previous displays, the new NeoPDP is upgraded revised in three critical areas - material & processing, discharge gas & cell design and circuit & drive technology. The aim of this advancement is to target a market share of 60% in the Plasma category.
New IPS Alpha Panels the so called Next Generation LCD Panels provide stunning images from a very wide angle. Using Panasonic's In-Plane-Switching technology, viewers can now enjoy richer, vivid and more natural looking images in their VIERA LCD's. These new panels have 1.5 times more transmissivity than conventional panels.
All Panasonic panels made in Japan, have a life of up to 100,000 hrs, a lifespan of 30 years of viewing when watched 8 hours a day. If you watch TV four hours a night, every day of the year, that milestone wouldn't be reached for 68 years. New mercury and lead free panels are only 1-inch thick with wider viewing angle of 178 degrees. All models come with an SD card slot and a motion and still images resolution of 1,080 lines.
Further developments have been made to the popular VIERA Link facility, where you can use the VIERA remote control to operate devices connected to a VIERA TV via an HDMI cable. VIERA Link is environmentally friendly too. It helps to save energy by automatically powering-down connected devices, switching then to Intelligent Auto Stand-By.
"The region is increasingly becoming tech savvy, customers are looking for a one-stop-solution to smart networking in their homes and our product does exactly that. VIERA which is more than just a TV, allows customers to personalize the channel they are viewing and enjoy their favourite moments with family and friends while giving full consideration to the environment," added Thomas.
Showing posts with label plasma TVs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label plasma TVs. Show all posts
Monday, July 6, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
DisplaySearch revises worldwide TV forecasts
AUSTIN, USA: Better than expected results in Q1’09 for developed markets, especially for LCD TVs, together with increased stimulus spending by governments, particularly in China, have improved the outlook for TV demand in 2009.
Although total TV shipments are still projected to decline slightly to near 200M units worldwide, LCD TV is still poised for unit growth. DisplaySearch has raised the forecast for 2009 worldwide LCD TV sales from 120 million to 127 million units, as LCD takes share from CRT at a faster pace and the global TV market hurries along in the transition to flat panel technologies.
Despite this, LCD TV revenues are still projected to decline about 6 percent in 2009 due to price erosion and the strong shift in volume to discount retail channels, such as Walmart in the US. This is a much shallower decline than previously forecast due to faster growth of advanced technologies like 120/240 Hz and LED backlight models.
Several key findings from the DisplaySearch Q2’09 Quarterly Advanced Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report have been revised:
LCD TVs
Developed markets are starting 2009 with strong growth and emerging markets are transitioning from CRT to LCD faster than expected. DisplaySearch’s 2009 LCD TV unit forecast is increased from 120 million units to 127 million units, a 21 percent growth over 2008 and a 63 percent share of global TV shipments.
The 2009 revenue outlook was increased from $66 billion to $76 billion, primarily based on rising LCD panel costs since April that will drive slower ASP erosion in the second half of 2009.
“This is good news for global LCD TV revenues overall, but could have a negative impact on demand in developed markets, like North America where consumers are more sensitive to sale promotions and prices” noted Paul Gagnon, Director of North America TV Research. “Still, emerging markets offer tremendous growth opportunity, even at current price levels, and the slower ASP declines shouldn’t have a strong impact on rising demand.”
The 2009 LCD TV forecast for China was increased from 18.8 million units to 23.6 million units as the Chinese government fortified their rural home appliance purchase subsidy program and introduced additional incentives to consumers trading up from CRT to LCD in urban areas.
After the disastrous impact of the recession on global TV demand in Q4’08, DisplaySearch reduced its forecasts to account for uncertainty in the future economic outlook, as shown in Fig. 1 below. The revised forecast reflects the signs of life returning to the TV market.
Source: Quarterly Advanced Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report
DisplaySearch is also now tracking shipments of 120 Hz and 240 Hz frame rate LCD TVs in 2009.
According to Vice President of TV Market Research Hisakazu Torii, “The shift to higher frame rates is critical to LCD TV manufacturers for increasing both performance and profitability, especially considering the rapid pace of commoditization in the category.”
"The 120 Hz frame rate models will account for 29 percent of LCD TV revenues worldwide in 2009, while 240 Hz will grab about 5 percent of revenues. By 2013, 120 Hz will account for 31 percent of LCD TV revenues, while 240 Hz accounts for more than 20 percent."
Source: Quarterly Advanced Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report
Plasma TVs
Plasma (PDP) TV is expected to fall about 2 percent Y/Y to 14.1 million in 2009 after strong 28 percent growth in 2008. This outlook is down slightly from DisplaySearch’s previous forecast as a result of increased consumer preference overall for sub-40” screen sizes amid heightened price sensitivity during the recession.
The 1080p penetration continues to rise, accounting for 32 percent of plasma TV shipments in 2009, but quickly accelerating to more than 50 percent in 2010 and 80 percent by 2013.
DisplaySearch’s total global TV forecast is 200.4 million units in 2009, down 3 percent Y/Y, the first decline in total shipments in recent memory as the global recession and rising unemployment continue to take a toll on demand.
However, the slowdown will be temporary as the worldwide economy emerges from recession and new markets enter the initial stages of the flat panel and digital TV transition.
Although total TV shipments are still projected to decline slightly to near 200M units worldwide, LCD TV is still poised for unit growth. DisplaySearch has raised the forecast for 2009 worldwide LCD TV sales from 120 million to 127 million units, as LCD takes share from CRT at a faster pace and the global TV market hurries along in the transition to flat panel technologies.
Despite this, LCD TV revenues are still projected to decline about 6 percent in 2009 due to price erosion and the strong shift in volume to discount retail channels, such as Walmart in the US. This is a much shallower decline than previously forecast due to faster growth of advanced technologies like 120/240 Hz and LED backlight models.
Several key findings from the DisplaySearch Q2’09 Quarterly Advanced Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report have been revised:
LCD TVs
Developed markets are starting 2009 with strong growth and emerging markets are transitioning from CRT to LCD faster than expected. DisplaySearch’s 2009 LCD TV unit forecast is increased from 120 million units to 127 million units, a 21 percent growth over 2008 and a 63 percent share of global TV shipments.
The 2009 revenue outlook was increased from $66 billion to $76 billion, primarily based on rising LCD panel costs since April that will drive slower ASP erosion in the second half of 2009.
“This is good news for global LCD TV revenues overall, but could have a negative impact on demand in developed markets, like North America where consumers are more sensitive to sale promotions and prices” noted Paul Gagnon, Director of North America TV Research. “Still, emerging markets offer tremendous growth opportunity, even at current price levels, and the slower ASP declines shouldn’t have a strong impact on rising demand.”
The 2009 LCD TV forecast for China was increased from 18.8 million units to 23.6 million units as the Chinese government fortified their rural home appliance purchase subsidy program and introduced additional incentives to consumers trading up from CRT to LCD in urban areas.
After the disastrous impact of the recession on global TV demand in Q4’08, DisplaySearch reduced its forecasts to account for uncertainty in the future economic outlook, as shown in Fig. 1 below. The revised forecast reflects the signs of life returning to the TV market.
Source: Quarterly Advanced Global TV Shipment and Forecast ReportDisplaySearch is also now tracking shipments of 120 Hz and 240 Hz frame rate LCD TVs in 2009.
According to Vice President of TV Market Research Hisakazu Torii, “The shift to higher frame rates is critical to LCD TV manufacturers for increasing both performance and profitability, especially considering the rapid pace of commoditization in the category.”
"The 120 Hz frame rate models will account for 29 percent of LCD TV revenues worldwide in 2009, while 240 Hz will grab about 5 percent of revenues. By 2013, 120 Hz will account for 31 percent of LCD TV revenues, while 240 Hz accounts for more than 20 percent."
Source: Quarterly Advanced Global TV Shipment and Forecast ReportPlasma TVs
Plasma (PDP) TV is expected to fall about 2 percent Y/Y to 14.1 million in 2009 after strong 28 percent growth in 2008. This outlook is down slightly from DisplaySearch’s previous forecast as a result of increased consumer preference overall for sub-40” screen sizes amid heightened price sensitivity during the recession.
The 1080p penetration continues to rise, accounting for 32 percent of plasma TV shipments in 2009, but quickly accelerating to more than 50 percent in 2010 and 80 percent by 2013.
DisplaySearch’s total global TV forecast is 200.4 million units in 2009, down 3 percent Y/Y, the first decline in total shipments in recent memory as the global recession and rising unemployment continue to take a toll on demand.
However, the slowdown will be temporary as the worldwide economy emerges from recession and new markets enter the initial stages of the flat panel and digital TV transition.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
European TV market heats up despite economic crisis
EL SEGUNDO, USA: With the European Union’s economy showing signs of recovery, television sales in the region are expected to rise in 2009 as consumers continue to snap up LCD-TVs, according to iSuppli Corp.
“Television sales in Europe will rise to 51.97 million units in 2009, up 3.4 percent from 50.2 million in 2008,” said Riddhi Patel, principal analyst for television systems at iSuppli. “LCD-TVs, which will account for 79 percent of the market year, will see their sales rise by a robust 17.5 percent in 2009 to reach 41.1 million units, up from 35 million in 2008.”
The figure presents iSuppli’s forecast of the European television market by display technology.
iSuppli Figure: European TV Market Forecast by Technology, 2008-2013 (Thousands of Units)
Source: iSuppli Corp., June 2009
Economic recovery
According to the European Commission’s recent reports, indications of an economic recovery from what were record lows have been confirmed by improved business and consumer confidence in the 16 Euro-using-countries in May, the second month in row.
According to the European Commission, the index of business and consumer confidence in the Euro zone increased to 69.3 in May, up from 67.2 in April—the highest level since November 2008. Consumer spending also has increased in all major European countries, including France and Germany.
Overall, the region’s economy has stabilized, but concerns remain about the labor market and rising unemployment rates, which could counter the impact of lower inflation rates on household spending. Nevertheless, despite mixed signals, there are more positive signs of an economic recovery taking place in Europe than there are negative indicators.
LCD-TV market shows strength
The continued growth in Europe’s LCD-TV market also can be attributed to factors including:
• Increased demand in Eastern Europe for both first-time and replacement buyers.
• Declining prices, which have made these televisions attractive to consumers across various income levels.
• The introduction of new features, such as 100Hz/200Hz refresh rates, and now, LED backlights.
• Increased domestic production, which has led to better management of inventories.
CRT and plasma, which continue to lose ground in Europe, will suffer a 40.2 percent decline in sales compounded annually between 2008 and 2013. The technology is retreating due to a lack of consumer interest, falling brand and retail support and the diminishing price differential between LCD- and CRT-TVs of similar sizes and features.
During the same time frame, plasma TV sales will decline at 16.4 percent compounded rate while LCD-TVs will grow at a 11.5 percent Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) to reach 60.3 million units.
“Television sales in Europe will rise to 51.97 million units in 2009, up 3.4 percent from 50.2 million in 2008,” said Riddhi Patel, principal analyst for television systems at iSuppli. “LCD-TVs, which will account for 79 percent of the market year, will see their sales rise by a robust 17.5 percent in 2009 to reach 41.1 million units, up from 35 million in 2008.”
The figure presents iSuppli’s forecast of the European television market by display technology.
iSuppli Figure: European TV Market Forecast by Technology, 2008-2013 (Thousands of Units)
Source: iSuppli Corp., June 2009Economic recovery
According to the European Commission’s recent reports, indications of an economic recovery from what were record lows have been confirmed by improved business and consumer confidence in the 16 Euro-using-countries in May, the second month in row.
According to the European Commission, the index of business and consumer confidence in the Euro zone increased to 69.3 in May, up from 67.2 in April—the highest level since November 2008. Consumer spending also has increased in all major European countries, including France and Germany.
Overall, the region’s economy has stabilized, but concerns remain about the labor market and rising unemployment rates, which could counter the impact of lower inflation rates on household spending. Nevertheless, despite mixed signals, there are more positive signs of an economic recovery taking place in Europe than there are negative indicators.
LCD-TV market shows strength
The continued growth in Europe’s LCD-TV market also can be attributed to factors including:
• Increased demand in Eastern Europe for both first-time and replacement buyers.
• Declining prices, which have made these televisions attractive to consumers across various income levels.
• The introduction of new features, such as 100Hz/200Hz refresh rates, and now, LED backlights.
• Increased domestic production, which has led to better management of inventories.
CRT and plasma, which continue to lose ground in Europe, will suffer a 40.2 percent decline in sales compounded annually between 2008 and 2013. The technology is retreating due to a lack of consumer interest, falling brand and retail support and the diminishing price differential between LCD- and CRT-TVs of similar sizes and features.
During the same time frame, plasma TV sales will decline at 16.4 percent compounded rate while LCD-TVs will grow at a 11.5 percent Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) to reach 60.3 million units.
Friday, May 29, 2009
In uncertain times, US consumers turn to TV!
EL SEGUNDO, USA: Confounding the prediction of many pundits of a major decline in flat-panel television sales in early 2009, the US and Canadian market continued to expand in the first quarter, as consumers chose to invest in home entertainment, according to iSuppli Corp.
Shipments of flat-panel televisions, i.e., LCD and plasma sets, in the United States and Canada amounted to 7.8 million units in the first quarter of 2009, up 17.3 percent from 6.6 million during the same period in 2008. Consumers managed to increase their television purchases by gravitating toward less expensive models, low-priced retailers and value brands, according to iSuppli.
“In the post-9/11 era, a new phrase entered the lexicon: ‘cocooning,’ a trend among fear-struck citizens to avoid travel and remain in the safety of their homes,” said Joe Abelson, vice president, displays, for iSuppli. “Amid the current economic downturn, a new wave of cocooning has hit, with recession-wary US consumers eschewing travel, staying home and watching their televisions. However, they still are finding enough money to buy new flat-panel sets that offer superior pictures and larger sizes.”
Low-priced realignment
This trend is impacting the television market on many different levels.
“There has been a major shift in flat-panel television purchasing price points,” observed Tina Tseng, analyst, television, for iSuppli. “In the first quarter of 2009, 68.9 percent of US television purchases were of sets priced less than $1,000, according to a survey conducted by iSuppli’s US Television Consumer Preference Analysis service. This is up from 62.8 percent in the second quarter of 2008.”
US purchases of flat-panel televisions priced in the $600 to $999 range rose the fastest among all price bands, increasing by 3.6 percent in the first quarter compared to the second quarter of 2008. In comparison, purchases of flat-panel sets priced at less than or equal to $599 increased by 2.6 percent.
Meanwhile, US purchases of sets priced from $1,000 to $1,499, from $1,500 to $1,999 and at more than $2,000 declined by 1.7 percent, 1.3 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively.
For many US consumers, buying a lower-priced flat-panel set means going for a smaller set. Because of this, sets sized 32-inches and smaller went into short supply starting in April.
However, larger televisions—40 inches and bigger—are coming down in price as premium brands slash prices to match those of their value competitors.
Fig. 1 presents quarterly percentages for flat-panel TV purchases by price band in the United States.
Source: iSuppli
Wal-Mart windfall
As US consumers flock to lower-priced flat-panel televisions, they also are embracing lower-cost retailers, particularly Wal-Mart.
No.-2 flat-panel television retailer Wal-Mart in the first quarter of 2009 accounted for 22.3 percent of all US flat-panel purchases, up from 13.8 percent in the first quarter of 2008. Purchases at No.-1 Best Buy remained largely flat during the same period on a percentage market-share basis.
This put Wal-Mart just one tenth of a percentage point behind Best Buy in the first quarter of 2009, closing the gap dramatically from 9 points in the first quarter of 2008.
Fig. 2 presents the percent of total US flat-panel television purchases made at the nation’s Top-4 TV retailers.
Source: iSuppli
Hand in hand with Wal-Mart’s rise is the ascension of the retailer’s featured television brand: Vizio.
Vizio’s first-quarter 2009 flat-panel television shipments in the United States and Canada rose to 1.4 million units, up from 829,000 in the first quarter of 2008. While Vizio took the No.-1 position in US and Canadian LCD-TV sales in the first quarter, when plasma is added in to create the total flat-panel segment, Vizio came in a close second behind Samsung.
Shipments of flat-panel televisions, i.e., LCD and plasma sets, in the United States and Canada amounted to 7.8 million units in the first quarter of 2009, up 17.3 percent from 6.6 million during the same period in 2008. Consumers managed to increase their television purchases by gravitating toward less expensive models, low-priced retailers and value brands, according to iSuppli.
“In the post-9/11 era, a new phrase entered the lexicon: ‘cocooning,’ a trend among fear-struck citizens to avoid travel and remain in the safety of their homes,” said Joe Abelson, vice president, displays, for iSuppli. “Amid the current economic downturn, a new wave of cocooning has hit, with recession-wary US consumers eschewing travel, staying home and watching their televisions. However, they still are finding enough money to buy new flat-panel sets that offer superior pictures and larger sizes.”
Low-priced realignment
This trend is impacting the television market on many different levels.
“There has been a major shift in flat-panel television purchasing price points,” observed Tina Tseng, analyst, television, for iSuppli. “In the first quarter of 2009, 68.9 percent of US television purchases were of sets priced less than $1,000, according to a survey conducted by iSuppli’s US Television Consumer Preference Analysis service. This is up from 62.8 percent in the second quarter of 2008.”
US purchases of flat-panel televisions priced in the $600 to $999 range rose the fastest among all price bands, increasing by 3.6 percent in the first quarter compared to the second quarter of 2008. In comparison, purchases of flat-panel sets priced at less than or equal to $599 increased by 2.6 percent.
Meanwhile, US purchases of sets priced from $1,000 to $1,499, from $1,500 to $1,999 and at more than $2,000 declined by 1.7 percent, 1.3 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively.
For many US consumers, buying a lower-priced flat-panel set means going for a smaller set. Because of this, sets sized 32-inches and smaller went into short supply starting in April.
However, larger televisions—40 inches and bigger—are coming down in price as premium brands slash prices to match those of their value competitors.
Fig. 1 presents quarterly percentages for flat-panel TV purchases by price band in the United States.
Source: iSuppliWal-Mart windfall
As US consumers flock to lower-priced flat-panel televisions, they also are embracing lower-cost retailers, particularly Wal-Mart.
No.-2 flat-panel television retailer Wal-Mart in the first quarter of 2009 accounted for 22.3 percent of all US flat-panel purchases, up from 13.8 percent in the first quarter of 2008. Purchases at No.-1 Best Buy remained largely flat during the same period on a percentage market-share basis.
This put Wal-Mart just one tenth of a percentage point behind Best Buy in the first quarter of 2009, closing the gap dramatically from 9 points in the first quarter of 2008.
Fig. 2 presents the percent of total US flat-panel television purchases made at the nation’s Top-4 TV retailers.
Source: iSuppliHand in hand with Wal-Mart’s rise is the ascension of the retailer’s featured television brand: Vizio.
Vizio’s first-quarter 2009 flat-panel television shipments in the United States and Canada rose to 1.4 million units, up from 829,000 in the first quarter of 2008. While Vizio took the No.-1 position in US and Canadian LCD-TV sales in the first quarter, when plasma is added in to create the total flat-panel segment, Vizio came in a close second behind Samsung.
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