3D TV really Boost sales as Industry Saviour

3D TV will be placed as a possible savior for recession hit manufacturers charge to increase sales.

On the opening day of the Consumer Electronics Show CES in Las Vegas, made all the big names 3D TV’s.

Industry experts said the picture looks promising, with a survey, 3.4 million 3D TVs will be sold in the U.S. this year.

“It is a challenge of the market. We need a little kick out of this,” said Panasonic Elsuke Tsuyuzaki.

“For me the thing that will get us there’s 3D,” added the company’s Chief Technology Officer.

Is 2009 a year, none of us want to repeat, “said Gary Shapiro, president of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), which hosts the annual Tech collection.

The Association has predicted that should be for the coming year, the entire consumer electronics eke out a slight sales increase of 0.3%. The increase of $ 440m (£ 280m) is expected to take sales of U.S. $ 165.3bn (£ 105bn)

However, Mr. Shapiro noted that lower average selling prices for TVs will be a drag. CEA expects television revenues in the sector of 2% to $ 22.1bn (£ 14 billion) a decrease, although unit sales to increase by 5% to 37.7 are (£ 24m)

Movie increase

Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of DreamWorks Animation
CES is full of 3D Evangelist

For several years the industry has said the arrival of 3D TV in the house to little effect.

Many believe, however, is 2010 really the year of breakthrough for the technology in large party by the growing number of 3D movies to theaters and helped the success of James Cameron’s sci-fi epic Avatar.

“While 3D has taken over a number of years, to penetrate into theaters, I think this is the year it will begin to enter the home,” said Jeffrey Katzenberg, head of DreamWorks Animation BBC News.

However, he added a reservation to that statement.

“It usually takes five to ten years to make the transition from one platform to a newer book. To go from analog to digital has had ten years is why I tell you today is probably the year in which 3D going to the boards – at home in a truly meaningful. ”

Mr. Katzenberg, who is known as 3D-evangelist, said he is optimistic about the future of this vision that he has his studio is committed to 3D versions of all its future films to make.

During CES, announced that he would DreamWorks Monsters vs. Aliens as a 3D version of Blu-ray disc in an exclusive promotion with Samsung and Technicolor.

In 2010, approximately 20 of the 170 movies in 3D will be to double the number from last year.

Industry play

3D scene from a movie, courtesy of Sony
You adjust your sets. This is a 3D movie.

Samsung is just one of the major TV manufacturers betting a large chunk of the bank are on a 3D project for consumers and for the company.

That, along with the other top names such as Sony, LG and Panasonic, at ritzy displays put on the CES show the hundreds of thousands of visitors plus what the future brings.

There were also announcements galore.

The Discovery Channel, said that it is a joint venture with Sony and provide educational IMAX 3D TV channels.

UK satellite operator BSkyB has said it is also planned to release a 3D service later this year, and ESPN said they would show at least 85 sporting events this year on its new 3-channel ESPN.

Panasonic showed an association with leading U.S. satellite provider DirecTV to three high-definition 3D television channels starting in June to try and start-up demand for 3D TV and content.

“If you see it,” said Mr. Stackpole Tsuyuzaki CES during a session on this topic as “3D-hope or hype.”

“It is very much faster than many people expect.”

Price point

That is certainly what the Consumer Electronics Association said that it was by those interviewed, they said on the subject.

“One of the main results that we do not need to convince consumers that the 3D is different,” said Shawn Dubravac, the CEA’s chief economist.

“This is the fight we say with HDTV (high definition TV.) 25% of consumers, they will have a 3D-TV in the next three years. By 2013, one quarter of all sets sold will be 3D,” said Mr. Dubravac.

Right price

“3D wins a ton of momentum, unlike any other technology in recent history,” said Buzz Hayes, Senior Vice President of Sony’s 3D-technology center.

“The market is ready and many people are embracing it.”

To preserve an important factor for the industry, the pricing is right.

“The TV industry is desperate and they are latching onto 3D head analyst as hard as possible,” Gartner research Van Baker told the BBC.

“They have the flat-panel upgraded. It is a hard sell for people to spend large sums of money again on 3D TV, so soon after disbursement for an HDTV.”

Who in the business agree that it is an important concern.

“I think all waiting for CE (consumer electronics) companies to see what the others do (via pricing),” said Ahmad Ouri, chief marketing officer of Technicolor.

“You can not double the price tag, or is it a crazy idea.”