Flat-panel TV screens likely to cost less next year

By PETER GRIFFIN


The still hefty price of plasma and LCD TV screens is holding back large numbers of consumers from upgrading to them.

But a Panasonic executive believes the price of flat-panel displays will come down next year, putting them within reach of more people.

Fumio Ohtsubo, the president of Panasonic's AVC Networks Company, said TV makers were targeting a price of US$100 an inch for new high-definition, flat-panel displays. A new 42-inch plasma screen would therefore sell for US$4200 ($6200).

"This is the break point in terms of flat-panel TVs. Maybe next year TV makers will realise this price. Panasonic will definitely reach it," Ohtsubo said.

Electronics retailer Noel Leeming's website (noelleeming.co.nz) says a Hyundai 42-inch, high-definition plasma screen can be bought for $5000. But the average price for a big-brand 42-inch plasma screen is generally closer to $8000.

A Pioneer 50-inch plasma screen has a $13,000 price tag and Samsung has a 63-inch plasma on the New Zealand market at $34,000.

LCD is a popular choice for screens up to 32 inches, but vendors like Philips are making them available in 42-inch versions and larger.

Sharp drew a crowd last week at the Ceatec electronics show in Tokyo with its 65-inch LCD TV screen, the largest in the world.

Ohtsubo said it was one thing to display such a screen and another to mass-produce it.

"The TV set is not in the market. It may take one or two years."

For screens 37 inches and larger, Panasonic was putting its money on plasma, which uses a different technology to LCD. There is keen debate over which standard is better.

"By 2010 big TVs will completely change to plasma displays," said Ohtsubo. Plasma wins over LCD in power consumption, picture quality and price competitiveness, he claims.

And just how big will Panasonic's plasma screens go?

"Maybe we'll target 80 inches. Some rich Americans might want 100 inches. I just have a 42-inch. I'm not so rich."