Latest on 3D HDTV – With over 30 different 3D feature film productions currently in the works, it’s natural for consumers to ask when the high quality stereo vision of these new movies will be available in the home. One of the big problems is a huge format war, with at least five content-encoding formats and more than 20 display technologies competing. Samsung and Mitsubishi are leading the 3D-ready HDTV area. Samsung has several RPTV models, which require LCD shutter glasses and a signal transmitter. Mitsubishi has some 3D-ready displays of 57 to 73 inches, plus the world’s first laser-powered TV. Viewsonic and Lightspeed Design have 3D projectors. Just one little fly in this ointment: no 3D programming content as yet. There are also 3D printers, scanners, digital cameras and even 3D cell phones on the way.
Pioneer Exits TV Line – The ultra-premium Pioneer Elite plasma line has fallen victim to high production costs and more value-conscious consumers. The move will also orphan the Elite audio line. While sales experts feel Pioneer’s exit to be a tragedy, they expect that Sony XBR, Panasonic’s pro line and Samsung may look to fill the niche.
TV-Internet Convergence – Our TV screens – the biggest screens in most of our lives – have not connected to the Internet like so many other screens around us. Chip makers want a new generation of TVs with full browser capabilities, just like a PC. Intel has brought out a TV-centric chip, but TV makers don’t seem to want it. Sony and Sharp don’t feel that consumers want an Internet-like experience with their TVs. The cost of adding web surfing could be challenge – as much as $100 per TV. There is also the threat of picking up viruses on the Net and/or just crashing. The feeling is that customers whose TV has crashed will pack it up and take it right back to the store. A few TV makers are furnishing only narrow channels of Net programming such as YouTube, traffic, weather and financial information – now called widgets.
Blu-rays at $15 – Best Buy has begun offering certain new Blu-rays at $14.99 in a special promotion. The first titles include Amadeus, Babel, The Departed and The Untouchables. Amazon is also offering 53% off on selection Paramount Blu-ray titles. Last month the Blu-ray Association announced that 10.7 million Blu-ray players have been sold to date in the U.S. Six million of those sales were for Sony’s PlayStation 3. In the fourth quarter of 2008 – according to The Digital Entertainment Group – 28.6 million Blu-ray discs were purchased.
