Toshiba pushes forward with it's 3D televisions that do not require glasses. Sales of the TV start in Japan this week. Toshiba plans for global launch of these televisions 40" and over next year.
More details are expected to be announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January of 2011.
Quality of the 3D experience has been a large concern for many, and they have stayed away from Autostereoscopic TV development. Instead they have continued forward with the sets that require glasses.
Personally I see this as the debate between watching 3DTV all the time or not. If I was expecting to be able to watch everything and WANT to watch everything in 3D I would not want to have to wear glasses. As with the current movie experience, there is no issue with wearing glasses for a limited time to experience high quality 3D. I believe 3D is a feature, not an all time viewing experience.
Toshiba is taking the line that the world will shift to watching 3D more often than not, and will not want to wear glasses and do not expect to. They feel this will put the Japanese companies back in front on the technology curve. This is an advantage they feel they have lost to the South Korean TV manufacturers such as LG Electronics Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co.
The illusion of depth without special glasses is very hard to achieve. Viewing angles are the problem, there are only a limited number without glasses. Step outside of those zones and the image will be fuzzy or blurred, and a very bad viewing experience. Most believe the technology hurdles in the way for glasses free 3DTV will be in the way for 5 to 10 years.
As a side note, Toshiba has pushed out their Google TV. They will introduce sometime next year, but did not explain any of the reasons for the delay. Google Inc. has also pulled the plug on their plans to show at the Consumer Electronics Show this year. Numerous reports have been coming out about the IPTV and the challenges with using the product.
I have posted previously about the challenges of 3DTV and IPTV. Numerous challenges remain to have these features become user friendly.
JZ!
Friday, December 24, 2010
3DTV sales not jumping out of the TV Screen
A year ago the industry would have jumped up and down and hailed 3DTV as the savior of step up television sales.
Now as with most technology being pushed on customers, price cutting is the latest attempt to achieve sales that simply have not happened based on customer demand.
Lack of movies, content to watch, and pricing that adds up quickly with TV, glasses, 3D blu-ray, have had customers saying "No Thanks".
3DTV is still expected to be one of the hot topics at this years Consumer Electronics Show which is just around the corner in Las Vegas.
Flat Panels in general have seen aggressive price drops from many years. This year has been a year in which shoppers have not seen 30-40% prices drops. Inventory on LED backlit and IPTV as well as 3DTV have been slow movers. All had high expectations from the vendors. Bundle promotions and other activity have not been as affective in moving the goods as everyone has hoped. Now with new models shipping next March, the need to move the inventory is rising.
Discounts have been seen from 16% to as high as 52% off, but the TV is still going to cost you over $1,600. On average 3DTV is in a set with other expensive features and these sets are still $2,500 to $3,000.
This is in comparison to value TVs of the same size at $1000 or less.
Until 3DTV has meaningful content to watch, and the industry figures out how to explain to consumers so there is no confusion, the uptick will be slow on sales. People want it, they are paying for it everyday in the movie theater. This will convert to the home, but a better job needs to be done with explaining it properly.
It is a feature, not a TV type. It is not a way to watch TV 24/7 or intended to be.
We all up sized our TVs to as big a set as we could to bring the movie like experience home. We did not do it originally with the intent to watch everything all the time in a Home Theater type of environment. Even now home audio sales continue to struggle, and people are buying big screens, but not a complete Home Theater.
3DTV needs to be clearly shown for the entertainment value it will provide while watching Movies / Sports / Concerts / Discovery events.
Hopefully the industry doesn't devalue the feature in it's attempt to get back on track with inventory.
Not everyone needs 3DTV, not everyone needed at 65" Projection Television. Those that did want/need it paid for the technology and enjoyed the benefits they provided to them.
Blu-Ray movies should not be in the $1.99 bin, 3D Blu-Ray should not be at Blu-Ray prices, just as 3D movies, IMAX movies cost more than a regular movie experience. Those that see value and appreciate the entertainment experience will pay for it.
Industry should not expect to push the curve and hit the masses overnight and profit from it.
JZ!
Now as with most technology being pushed on customers, price cutting is the latest attempt to achieve sales that simply have not happened based on customer demand.
Lack of movies, content to watch, and pricing that adds up quickly with TV, glasses, 3D blu-ray, have had customers saying "No Thanks".
3DTV is still expected to be one of the hot topics at this years Consumer Electronics Show which is just around the corner in Las Vegas.
Flat Panels in general have seen aggressive price drops from many years. This year has been a year in which shoppers have not seen 30-40% prices drops. Inventory on LED backlit and IPTV as well as 3DTV have been slow movers. All had high expectations from the vendors. Bundle promotions and other activity have not been as affective in moving the goods as everyone has hoped. Now with new models shipping next March, the need to move the inventory is rising.
Discounts have been seen from 16% to as high as 52% off, but the TV is still going to cost you over $1,600. On average 3DTV is in a set with other expensive features and these sets are still $2,500 to $3,000.
This is in comparison to value TVs of the same size at $1000 or less.
Until 3DTV has meaningful content to watch, and the industry figures out how to explain to consumers so there is no confusion, the uptick will be slow on sales. People want it, they are paying for it everyday in the movie theater. This will convert to the home, but a better job needs to be done with explaining it properly.
It is a feature, not a TV type. It is not a way to watch TV 24/7 or intended to be.
We all up sized our TVs to as big a set as we could to bring the movie like experience home. We did not do it originally with the intent to watch everything all the time in a Home Theater type of environment. Even now home audio sales continue to struggle, and people are buying big screens, but not a complete Home Theater.
3DTV needs to be clearly shown for the entertainment value it will provide while watching Movies / Sports / Concerts / Discovery events.
Hopefully the industry doesn't devalue the feature in it's attempt to get back on track with inventory.
Not everyone needs 3DTV, not everyone needed at 65" Projection Television. Those that did want/need it paid for the technology and enjoyed the benefits they provided to them.
Blu-Ray movies should not be in the $1.99 bin, 3D Blu-Ray should not be at Blu-Ray prices, just as 3D movies, IMAX movies cost more than a regular movie experience. Those that see value and appreciate the entertainment experience will pay for it.
Industry should not expect to push the curve and hit the masses overnight and profit from it.
JZ!
UCONN Women Longest College Basketball Streak
UCONN Huskies broke the UCLA men's team's record of 88 wins with their 93-62 win over Florida State. This game as with many others had the big lead, loud and proud crowd, and a large lead held until the end.
It was reported during the final minutes that the crowd chanted "89!", and now they have the most consecutive wins in Division 1 basketball history.
At 88 the coach Geno Auriemma was pretty fired up and lashed out about the press and coverage of the team. Indicating he displeasure with the lack of coverage and appreciation for Women's Basketball. How is he feeling now?
Well President Barack Obama gave him a call. It was reported that he told the President "It's an incredible thing these kids have done".
The record is not official. There currently is no combined Men's / Women's records. Huskies beat the Women's back at 82 games. Previous record was held by Division III Washington University of St. Louis which won 81 straight games from 1998 to 2001.
Huskies have also now tied the most consecutive home wins at 69.
The Huskie women had new shirts that said "89". They celebrated and danced to the song "All I Do Is Win" and took their picture at midcourt.
Congrats UCONN!!!! Keep it going!!!!!!
JZ!
It was reported during the final minutes that the crowd chanted "89!", and now they have the most consecutive wins in Division 1 basketball history.
At 88 the coach Geno Auriemma was pretty fired up and lashed out about the press and coverage of the team. Indicating he displeasure with the lack of coverage and appreciation for Women's Basketball. How is he feeling now?
Well President Barack Obama gave him a call. It was reported that he told the President "It's an incredible thing these kids have done".
The record is not official. There currently is no combined Men's / Women's records. Huskies beat the Women's back at 82 games. Previous record was held by Division III Washington University of St. Louis which won 81 straight games from 1998 to 2001.
Huskies have also now tied the most consecutive home wins at 69.
The Huskie women had new shirts that said "89". They celebrated and danced to the song "All I Do Is Win" and took their picture at midcourt.
Congrats UCONN!!!! Keep it going!!!!!!
JZ!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Consumer Electronics Sale at Sears Dec 18th
Please see the invitation below from the President of Electronics at Sears for Dec 18th.
Dear Valued Partner,
I want to personally invite you to the Sears Consumer Electronics 10% Off* Sale this Saturday, December 18th.
It’s the perfect opportunity to get those last minute gifts that you’ve been meaning to purchase for a few weeks now. At this event you’ll find almost everything in the electronics department – from regular priced items to items on sale and clearance—is an extra 10% off.
You can also take advantage of this great sale online by entering the promo code “Extra10Wishes” at checkout.
Please feel free to share with our family and friends!
We truly appreciate your support and hope you are having a very Happy Holiday Season!
Thank You,
Karen Austin
SVP & President, Consumer Electronics
*Excludes TVs under 40”, Video game hardware, Bose, Onkyo, prepaid calling cards, iTunes, Sony DSLR, lenses, iPod, converter boxes, computers, LG, Samsung, Sony.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Best Buy TV sales still soft
Best Buy just reported it missed its quarter numbers.
One of the noted areas that missed was TVs. It missed by double digit unit decline and mid single digit sales revenue decline.
The inventory reported at this team does not seem to be much higher then in prior years, but with a miss in the low double digit in units it is hard to imagine they are where they want to be. Some estimate they are 12% over inventory.
There appears to be market share loss to competitors such as Amazon and Wal-Mart. Best Buy's overall market share has been reported to have declined 100 bps in the quarter.
Best Buy has also guided Feb reporting below expectation.
JZ
One of the noted areas that missed was TVs. It missed by double digit unit decline and mid single digit sales revenue decline.
The inventory reported at this team does not seem to be much higher then in prior years, but with a miss in the low double digit in units it is hard to imagine they are where they want to be. Some estimate they are 12% over inventory.
There appears to be market share loss to competitors such as Amazon and Wal-Mart. Best Buy's overall market share has been reported to have declined 100 bps in the quarter.
Best Buy has also guided Feb reporting below expectation.
JZ
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Samsung reducing production of LCD Panels
Samsung Electronics has announced that it will reduce the utilization rate of the factory to lower the output of LCD panels. This is due to weak demand and to help the global supply glut.
This is a reversal from years past in which dropping price to prop up demand has been the action taken to resolve oversupply issues. This is a much healthier approach overall and one the industry has needed for some time.
Weakest markets right now are Europe and the U.S. If other panel providers follow (actually quite a few have greatly reduce factory utilization already without any announcements) it could help provide an industry recovery. (Sony could use this after 7 years of negative profit on their TV business).
Both South Korean panel makers, LG & Samsung, saw profit drop nearly in half from 2nd quarter to 3rd quarter this year, largely because of weak panel prices.
Interesting is that both LG and Samsung have won approval to build brand new panel factories in China. Which would add to the total glut, not take away. There has been some talk that they are flexible about the timing of when the factories will be complete and ramp up production from them. AUO is also moving to build a factory in China as well, adding to the possible oversupply vs. real demand for LCD panels.
JZ
This is a reversal from years past in which dropping price to prop up demand has been the action taken to resolve oversupply issues. This is a much healthier approach overall and one the industry has needed for some time.
Weakest markets right now are Europe and the U.S. If other panel providers follow (actually quite a few have greatly reduce factory utilization already without any announcements) it could help provide an industry recovery. (Sony could use this after 7 years of negative profit on their TV business).
Both South Korean panel makers, LG & Samsung, saw profit drop nearly in half from 2nd quarter to 3rd quarter this year, largely because of weak panel prices.
Interesting is that both LG and Samsung have won approval to build brand new panel factories in China. Which would add to the total glut, not take away. There has been some talk that they are flexible about the timing of when the factories will be complete and ramp up production from them. AUO is also moving to build a factory in China as well, adding to the possible oversupply vs. real demand for LCD panels.
JZ
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