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DigiTimes: Leading LCD panel makers such as Samsung and  LG.Philips LCD are pushing 50-inch class TV panels this year to compete against PDP (plasma display panel) suppliers in the large-size TV market, according to sources.

Samsung plans to introduce two new 52-inch LCD TV panels in the second quarter, the sources said. The panels will feature a contrast ratio of 2,000:1, compared to 1,200:1 before. In the third quarter, the company will also launch 57-inch panels with a response time of 6ms and contrast ratio of 2,000:1, the sources indicated.

Samsung will also unveil 70- and 82-inch panels later in 2007, the sources added. A seventh-generation (7G) substrate can be cut into three 52-inch panels or two 70-inch panels, the sources said.

LG.Philips LCD schedules to roll out its first 52-inch full high-definition (HD) panel in April, panel makers said. The panel will have dynamic contrast ratio of 5,000:1 and response time of 5ms. The Korea-based player has already started shipping 55-inch TV panels in small volumes, the makers added.

Despite the aggressive plans from the LCD panel makers in the large-size TV market, PDP TV will still dominate the 50-inch class flat-panel TV market in the near term thanks to its pricing advantage, the sources explained. The sales volume for 50-inch class LCD TVs will only account for 1% of total LCD TV shipments in 2007, according to DisplaySearch.

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Reuters: Plasma TV suppliers such as Panasonic are expected to lose further ground as LCD TVs encroach on the 40-inch-class market, a plasma stronghold.

Growing demand for higher-resolution models is also giving a leg up to LCD TVs, promoted by Sony and many others in Taiwan and South Korea, paving the way for consolidation among plasma companies, analysts say.

It is technologically difficult and often costly for plasma makers to give a full high-definition function to models with a screen size of less than 50 inches, while LCD TV makers are aggressively promoting full HD models in that segment although prices are generally higher.

“This Christmas season probably is the last chance for (plasma TV makers) to promote 42-inch models. By this time next year probably there will be no price difference between plasma and LCD TVs,” Credit Suisse analyst Wanli Wang said.

With little price difference, most people would choose LCD TVs because of their higher resolution, Wang said.

He expects LCD TV prices to fall 30 percent or more in 2007, compared with a decline of 15 to 20 percent for plasma TVs, due to ample LCD panel supplies.

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TWICE:  Flat-panel TVs top the list of consumer electronics that affluent shoppers plan to buy in the next six months.

According to a new survey of affluent consumer electronics enthusiasts from Thomas, Townsend & Kent, 14.5% intend to buy a flat panel display this fall or winter, 13.7% will purchase a home theater system, and 10.4% will spend their money on a video gaming system.

Only 6.6% of the well-heeled respondents said they plan to buy a high definition DVD player.

Prior to purchase, these consumers will likely spend an average of 2.7 hours online and in retail stores researching their product options.

“In today’s marketplace, television manufacturers with a strong online presence and the ability to drive consumers to retail will be the big winners.” said Roy Weiss, executive VP of TTK.

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China Post: Ahead of Europe’s largest consumer electronics trade fair, IFA, reports are surfacing that flat panel TVs are possibly getting too big for the living room.  German consumer magazine Test counsels against watching high-definition television from closer than three times the screen diagonal size, or else viewers may notice lines in the picture.

That would mean placing armchairs at least 3.2 meters from a 42- inch screen, further than some smaller living rooms allow.

In Germany, Europe’s biggest market, the standard size that most shoppers currently choose is the 32-inch, but all signs are pointing to the 42-inch becoming the norm.

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EDA Geek: Less than a quarter of the world’s population will own a flat panel TV by the end of this year, according to a global survey from market research firm IDC.  This paints a bright picture for the industry.

Consumers say high quality video is the main force driving demand for digital TVs. Over half of IDC survey respondents consider high definition (HD) compatibility as an extremely important factor influencing their decision to replace their current TV.

Surprisingly, a majority of respondents say they do not currently subscribe to HD programming.

Pricing is also a significant issue. In fact, TV price concerns towered over all others on the list including display technology, screen size, and even brand. “Cost is critical in my decision,” writes one survey respondent. “I know what I want, but am waiting until the price suits me.” More than 60% of respondents (all who fell into a high income demographic) say they expect to pay less than $2,000 (around 1,500 Euro) on their new TV.

While price points have dropped over the years, they remain somewhat high for a large part of the TV-buying public.

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