Television - Multitasking increases

More reports showing that you do not necessarily want IPTV. Also this shows WHY 3DTV continues to be a challenge at home. If 60% are multitasking, hard for them to wear 3D glasses and be happy.

Data continues to challenge what is the BEST solution for the majority of people watching Television.

JZ

TV-online multitasking reaches 60% penetration

Michelle Clancy ©RapidTVNews | 12-06-2012

Multiscreen TV users tend to overall consume more content than living-room only watchers, according to a new white paper on viewing habits from the Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement (CIMM) and comScore.
The research finds that TV viewers look to online content to enhance rather than replace traditional viewing. A full 90% of consumers watch TV on a traditional set, 12% use online video, and a remarkable 60% of the media companies' viewers watched TV while engaging with online content (video and otherwise) at the same time.
The trend offers new opportunities for marketers, but also ratchets up the complexity. "While TV remains the leading media channel, once TV-centric media brands now engage with their consumers across a variety of digital touchpoints," said Joan FitzGerald, comScore's vice president of TV and cross-media solutions, in a statement. "While this enhances the quality of brand engagement, it also increases the complexity of media planning and analysis by orders of magnitude."

3D TV without glasses - not anytime soon!

Very good article below explaining the large challenges with bringing a 3D experience on your home TV without glasses. If you are holding out, stop waiting it will be a long time. If you want 3D in home, there are many great options with Active of Passive glasses (powered or not powered) that produce a great 3D experience from many viewing angles of your television. Enjoy now, and by the time you may be looking for a new TV (9 years to so) maybe, just maybe 3D without glasses could be ready.

JZ

3D TV Without Glasses Just Isn't Happening

We won't be taking off the glasses to see 3D in the foreseeable future, despite a promising start.

• By Will Greenwald
•                        

At CES 2012, Toshiba and Sony had prototype screens showing glasses-free 3D technology. Through special filters and electronics, you could look at the screen and see a 3D picture without putting on glasses. They weren't perfect, but they were prototypes, and they showed off a promising new technology, especially in the face of the success of the Nintendo 3DS, which uses similar technology on a smaller scale.
There hasn't been much word on the glasses-free 3D HDTVs since CES
The Nintendo 3DS proved to be a fun novelty with its glasses-free 3D, but I found myself playing games with 3D turned off more often than not just from the convenience. The device's screen depth can enhance your games, but it forces you to keep your head and the device very still to keep your eyes aligned with the filtered screen. If you move your head or the 3DS slightly in any direction, the images separate and flicker.
The glasses-free 3D HDTVs I saw at CES had the same problem. Getting in the "sweet spot" was difficult, and even for the Toshiba HDTV that boasted eye-tracking technology that could adjust the filters to meet your eye positions, the 3D effect didn't work well. Even with the screen fixed in place, I had to keep my head in just the right position to get the 3D effect, and watching the HDTV from any other direction than straight-on in that position is difficult because of the image separation.
According to a spokesman at Sony, no glasses-free 3D screens are commercially available outside of the small ones used in the company's 3D Handicams, which are about the size or smaller than the Nintendo 3DS's own screen. Larger screens, like notebooks and HDTVs, are still securely in the "future tech" category of technology being previewed as a concept, not a product. Toshiba has been similarly quiet about glasses-free 3D HDTVs, with no news about the technology since it was shown off at CES.
Part of the problem is in developing the technology, but it's also the convenience and ease of use of it. 3D glasses can offer a solid 3D picture across a wide viewing angle depending on the HDTV and 3D technology used (passive 3D glasses tend to display more crosstalk when watched from the sides). Glass-free 3D requires users to keep their heads in the sweet spot where the two images align to their respective eyes. Toshiba previewed eye-tracking that would adjust the filter accordingly, but it was even less developed than the 3D displays themselves.
We might see a lot of promise in what the technology could be given time and resources, but for now it simply is unworkable for most users. When gamers quickly turn off 3D on their 3DS because it's easier than enjoying the depth of a game, how can we assume even more casual consumers will have the patience to sit stock-straight in just the right position for two hours at a time to watch a 3D movie? Even with eye-tracking, we're several generations away from a screen that's responsive enough to make watching 3D TV without glasses comfortable.
Las Vegas and the Nintendo 3DS gave us glimpses at what 3D HDTVs could give us in the future, but for now glasses-free 3D will stay on small screens, and very few of them. Even then, it's a limited technology that has gelled even less than wearing glasses to watch 3D on your HDTV.

CEA data shows TV is used to watch television - mobile watching not meaningful

Although the rate that people are watching Content / TV on mobile device is increasing , it is far from a number that moves the needle. Data and article from CEA's latest survey.

JZ

Smartphones, Tablets Not Yet Meaningful Portion Of Total Video Viewing: CEA

TVs Used for Two-Thirds of Video Viewing Time and Computers Account For 30%, According to Survey

By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 5/14/2012 2:50:17 PM

While TVs are used for two-thirds of overall video viewing time among U.S. adult Internet users, and laptops or desktop computers account for another 30%, smartphones and tablet computers are not yet "significant sources" of video viewing in terms of time spent, according to a survey by the Consumer Electronics Association.
Video tends to be viewed from a television set, either an HDTV (44% of viewing time, on average) or a basic, non-HD TV (18%), the CEA found in "The Evolving Video Landscape" study released Monday. Almost one-third of video viewing time is spent using a laptop or notebook computer (16%) or a desktop (14%).
According to the CEA survey, the average time spent viewing on a typical day, based on self-reported information, is 3.2 hours. That's lower than figures reported by Nielsen, which estimated that the average U.S. TV household spent 4 hours 35 minutes per day watching TV in the fourth quarter of 2011 (plus 22 minutes of DVR content).
While mobile devices aren't registering in terms of video-viewing time, 66% consumers watch video content on TV are simultaneously using other consumer electronics devices -- a behavior is more prevalent among younger consumers, the CEA survey found. According to the study, 85% of 18-to-24-year-olds and 70% of 25-to-34-year-olds multitask with another device while watching video on a television.
"Consumers are watching more video than they have in years past and they are seeking devices and technologies that deliver a quality video and audio experience," Shawn DuBravac, CEA's chief economist and director of research, said in announcing the report. "However, younger consumers accustomed to multitasking are defining new video behaviors as they watch video content across multiple platforms, on their own schedule, all while interacting socially on their devices with their friends."
Meanwhile, the CEA study found that viewing of video content on portable devices is experiencing strong positive momentum, with 40% of consumers watching more than a year ago and only 9% viewing less. About 57% of consumers cite convenience as the major reason for viewing more on devices like smartphones, tablet computers and laptops.
If the availability of content were not an issue, most consumers would choose to watch video on their TV, the survey found. When consumers decide which device to use for viewing video in a particular situation, five criteria stand out as the most important: the quality of the video image (86% consider highly important), the ease of use (82%), the quality of the sound (80%), convenience (80%) and access to appealing content (75%).
In addition, the CEA survey found that 48% of consumers planning to purchase a TV in the next 12 months will be replacing an aging, obsolete or broken set. About half (51%) are looking for improved picture quality in a new display and half (50%) want a larger screen size.
One in four (24%) consumers with intentions to purchase a TV over the next year expect to purchase a 3DTV; 21% plan to purchase an OLED display; and 25% plan to purchase an Internet-enabled TV. The CEA noted that "while stated purchase intentions do not always translate to transactions, the study clearly shows many consumers have their eyes fixed on newer TV technologies."
The CEA's Evolving Video Landscape Study surveyed 1,002 U.S. adults between February 22 and March 2, 2012. The margin of sampling error at 95% confidence for aggregate results is 3%.

Sony and Panasonic team up on OLED

Sony and Panasonic are trying to catch up with OLED TVs. Samsung and LG will ship models this year. Yes they will be very expensive, but they will be 3 years ahead of the 2015 target date in the article below.

JZ

Sony, Panasonic plan OEL TV tie-up: Nikkei

A Sony logo is seen as customers look at Sony's digital cameras at an electronic shop in Tokyo May 10, 2012.

Credit: Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Mon May 14, 2012 3:04pm EDT

(Reuters) - Sony Corp and Panasonic Corp are in talks to jointly produce large OEL (organic electroluminescence) televisions, the Nikkei business daily said.

The collaboration would mark the first time that the two rivals join hands in a core business, the paper said.

The companies, which aim to commercialize OEL TVs by fiscal 2015, are joining hands in hopes of shortening the development time by sharing technologies, according to the Nikkei.

OEL displays, which consume less power and offer sharper images, are widely seen replacing LCDs as the dominant technology in TVs and other devices, the paper said.

Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics plan to release 55-inch OEL TVs this year, according to the Nikkei.

(Reporting by A. Ananthalakshmi in Bangalore; Editing by Maju Samuel)

Apple Televisions - maybe not Foxconn changes story

Foxconn released a statement clarifying - changing - news from last week. Basically stated they would be ready IF and only IF a new partner asked them to move forward on production. Changing the position that Apple is in the Planning stages, and implying they were gearing up for next year. I am sure this story will continue to flip as you would expect given the nature of Apple.

JZ

Foxconn chief weighs in on Apple television. Or not

The Apple supplier issues a denial to reports that CEO Terry Gou had said Foxconn was getting ready to produce the feverishly anticipated, but never yet announced, device.

 

by Don Reisinger May 11, 2012 6:13 AM PDT

(Credit: Apple)

Last updated:May 14 at 9:48 a.m. PT.
It seemed for a moment as if Foxconn chief Terry Gou had let slip that his company is getting ready to start producing an Apple television.
According to China Daily, Gou on Friday, May 11, held a news conference in Shanghai about his company's plans for the future. During that conversation, he seemed to indicate that Foxconn is currently preparing its facilities to start producing Apple's long-rumored television, though "development or manufacturing has yet to begin," the China Daily report said.
Gou's comments were notable for coming from a prominent executive who could be expected to have knowledge of Apple's plans. The vast majority of reports surrounding the development of the television have come from unidentified sources and analysts claiming insight into Apple's plans. For its part, Apple has stayed tight-lipped on any possibility that it might be working on a television.
But on Monday, May 14, Foxconn issued a definitive denial, in a statement provided to The Next Web:

At no time did [Gou] confirm that Foxconn was in development or manufacturing stages for any product for any of its customers. He did say that Foxconn is always prepared to meet the manufacturing needs of customers should they determine that they wish to work with Foxconn in the production of any of their products. Any reports that Foxconn confirmed that it is preparing to produce a specific product for any customer are not accurate.

There's been no end to the rumors, which have suggested, among other things, that a potential Apple television could be equipped with support for the company's virtual personal assistant Siri, a built-in camera for FaceTime, and access to the App Store.

 

Analysts have said for years that Apple is planning to launch a television, but it became a huge topic last year when Steve Jobs biographer Walter Isaacson revealed that the company's co-founder had "cracked" the code for developing a user-friendly television.
"I'd like to create an integrated television set that is completely easy to use," Jobs told Isaacson. "It would be seamlessly synched with all of your devices and with iCloud. It will have the simplest user interface you could imagine. I finally cracked it."
Following that, Bloomberg reported, citing several sources, that Apple had enlisted its vice president of consumer applications, Jeff Robbin, to head up the team developing the television, though at that time, there was a chance it might have been shelved.
Following the reports Friday on Gou's comments, questions of when an Apple television might launch certainly seemed likely to intensify. Back in March, J.P. Morgan analyst Mark Moskowitz said that the company will likely launch its television in 2014, and not at the end of this year or next year, as many of his colleagues have claimed.
One other interesting note from Gou's comments Friday: Foxconn's recent decision to buy a chunk of Sharp's LCD TV factory in Sakai, Japan was the result of preparations it's making for Apple's upcoming television.
CNET has contacted Apple for comment on Gou's claims. We will update this story when we have more information.
Update 6:30 a.m. PT on May 11to include more details.Update 9:38 a.m. PT on May 14to incorporate Foxconn's denial that Gou had made any kind of confirmation about any specific product potentially in the works

Panasonic posts loss - Televisions to blame

Another Japanese maker of Televisions posts one of the largest losses ever on the wake of an increasingly difficult Television industry. Loss is over $5 Billion in US dollars.

See below

JZ

Panasonic Posts Annual Loss, Lower Sales

By Steve Smith -- TWICE, 5/11/2012

Osaka, Japan - Panasonic reported a net loss of 772.2 billion yen from a profit and a 10 percent drop in sales for its fiscal year, ended March 31.

The net loss of 772.2 billion yen compares with a profit of 74 billion yen in fiscal 2011. Consolidated group sales for fiscal 2012 decreased by 10 percent to 7,846.2 billion yen, from 8,692.7 billion yen in the prior fiscal year.

Of the consolidated group total, domestic sales amounted to 4,162 billion yen, down 8 percent from 4,514.3 billion yen in fiscal 2011. Overseas sales decreased by 12 percent to 3,684.2 billion yen, from 4,178.4 billion yen in fiscal 2011.

Panasonic pointed to multiple factors for its fiscal year performance: concern of the shortages of the electric supply caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake, the disruption of supply chains affected by the flooding in Thailand, the economic turmoil triggered by the European financial crisis, and the historically high yen.

The operating results in the flat-panel TVs and semiconductor businesses worsened significantly due to factors, such as the aforementioned severe business conditions and intense price competition.

In Panasonic's AVC networks unit, sales decreased by 21 percent to 1,713.5 billion yen, from 2,156.8 billion yen a year ago. Despite favorable sales of PCs, this result was due mainly to sales declines in flat-panel TVs and digital cameras. Operating loss was 67.8 billion yen, compared with a profit of

27.3 billion yen a year ago, due mainly to a sales decrease and a price decline.

Panasonic is predicting positive fiscal 2013 results following large-scale structural reforms and reorganization. Consolidated financial forecasts for fiscal 2013 as of May 11, 2012:

• Sales: 8,100.0 billion yen (vs. FY12: +3 percent)

• Operating profit: 260.0 billion yen (vs. FY12: +495 percent)

• Net income attributable to Panasonic Corporation: 50 billion yen (vs. FY12 loss of 772.2 billion yen)

Apple TV still in planning stages

See below on the latest rumor on Apple TV. Coming from Foxconn it is considered a reliable report on the current status.

JZ

Here's The Most Credible Report About An Apple TV Yet

 

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Foxconn's CEO Terry Gou confirmed Friday that Apple has begun prepping its long-awaited television, according to a report in China Daily via HowToArena.com.

Gou's comments mark the first official acknowledgment from either Apple or its manufacturing partners that a new television is in the works. However, Gou suggests that Apple is still in the planning stages.
From China Daily's report:

Gou said Foxconn is making preparations for iTV, Apple Inc's rumored upcoming high-definition television, although development or manufacturing has yet to begin.

This would support previous claims from analysts that the new television won't likely be released this year, and perhaps not even next year.

Sony Record Loss of $5.7 Billion - Televisions Business still in trouble

They say they will be in the black next year. Very tough to turn a ship that big around that quick, especially when they have had 8 years in the red. Obviously not a simple fix.

JZ

Sony posts record $5.7 billion full-year loss

By Kyoko Hasegawa | AFP – 4 hrs ago

• 

• Masaru Kato, Chief Financial Officer …

Japanese electronics giant Sony on Thursday posted a record full-year loss of $5.7 billion, but vowed it would swing back into the black this year as it embarks on a huge restructuring plan.

Sony, which is struggling to stem losses at its television division, on Thursday said a strong yen and natural disasters were among the main reasons for its disastrous earnings.

"Sales decreased... primarily due to unfavourable foreign exchange rates, the impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake (in March 2011)... the floods in Thailand, and deterioration in market conditions in developed countries," it said in a statement.

The natural disasters hammered Japanese manufacturers while Sony has also blamed tough competition and falling prices, particularly in the television segment, for its struggles.

Sony's 456.66 billion yen ($5.7 billion) loss for the year to March, its fourth consecutive year in the red, came after it said last month it would cut about 10,000 jobs and spend nearly $1 billion on an overhaul that its new chief executive Kazuo Hirai described as "urgent".

Sales for the year fell 9.6 percent to 6.49 trillion yen, while the firm booked an operating loss of 67.28 billion yen.

On Thursday, Sony's chief financial officer Masaru Kato said the company was aiming to make its television business profitable next fiscal year, with the firm on course for a net profit of 30 billion yen in the current fiscal year on sales of 7.4 trillion yen.

However, analysts have criticised the turnaround plan as not enough to win back Sony's reputation as an innovator or vault its foreign rivals.

"The last year was horrible," Hiroshi Sakai, analyst at SMBC Friend Securities in Tokyo, told AFP on Thursday.

"Some complex, bad conditions hit the company, including a soaring yen... But there is a question as to whether Sony should keep the TV division as part of its business."

Makoto Sengoku, market analyst at Tokai Tokyo Securities, added: "It's not clear yet which business will be the pillar of Sony's earnings... Which business will become its cash cow?"

Sony's reforms, in addition to the jobs cuts, also include expanding its PlayStation and online games business, and pushing further into emerging markets and new sectors, such as medical equipment and life sciences.

"Now is the time for Sony to change," Hirai, who replaced Welsh-born US chief executive Howard Stringer earlier this year, said in April.

"What is urgent is that we strengthen our core businesses while rebuilding our TV business."

Investors, however, have been unimpressed. Sony shares are now worth 1,213 yen, down from 1,528 yen before Hirai unveiled his plan last month.

Sony, along with Japan's other electronics giants including Panasonic and Sharp, has been fighting a losing battle for years against fierce competition offered up by competitors including South Korea's Samsung and US-based Apple.

Falling prices, particularly in the television segment, have eaten away at their bottom line as a strong yen made their products more expensive overseas, while a stuttering global economy has also knocked sales.

Sony still generates profits in some areas, such as electronics parts, but critics have accused the company of various strategic blunders over the years including being late to enter the liquid crystal display panel market.

The firm was forced in December 2008 to slash 16,000 jobs worldwide as it came under pressure amid tumbling demand during the global financial crisis.

In March, Sony announced the sale of its chemical division to the Development Bank of Japan, saying the unit did not fit with its revamp.

Televisions - who is now on top of the industry and who is struggling

Great article describing the TV industry and why the Japanese companies are struggling and how aggressive others are being now, as well as continue to invest and plan for the future.

JZ

As Japan’s tech industry bleeds, Asian giants wrestle for TV control

Reuters, 29 Apr 2012 | 12:04 PM

 

 

 

LG Electronics will steal a march on its rivals by bringing forward the launch of a 55-inch flat TV using next-generation technology, raising the stakes in a cut-throat battle for the living room between Asia's top tech powerhouses.

The South Korean firm will introduce its organic light emitting display (OLED) TV in several European countries in May, well ahead of an original plan to launch in the second half, a source familiar with the matter said.

That would edge out cross-town rival Samsung Electronics and cement, at least for now, South Korean dominance in the television market over long-time leaders Japan, but it also highlights the fierce competition reshaping Asia's flat panel industry.

"(In the past) if you wanted a top quality TV you had to buy a Sharp, Panasonic or Sony. Those days are gone," said Steve Durose, senior director and head of Asia-Pacific at Fitch Ratings.

The Japanese, who ruled the global TV market in the 1980s and 1990s, have been battered by their aggressive South Korean rivals, weak demand for the TVs they make and a stronger yen that erodes the value of the their exports. Sony, Panasonic and Sharp expect to have lost a combined $21 billion in the business year just ended.

Some 200 km across the Korea Strait, LG Electronics is expected to report a quarterly profit of $267 million on Wednesday, even after LG Display, a flat-screen maker in which it has a near-38% stake, posted a $156 million operating loss for January-March.

The red ink bleeding across Japan's tech industry comes at a time when the TV market is heading for a technology choice—between credit-card-thin OLEDs or ultra-high definition sets—that may consign today's LCDs to the bargain shelf. Whoever can mass produce affordable OLEDs will have a headstart.

Sony, for one, will recall with concern how it lost out in a similar consumer technology battle over home videotapes in the 1980s, while Toshiba's HD DVD format was later crushed by Blu-Ray.

IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT
Sony was first to market OLED TV technology in 2007, but halted production of the $2,000 home screens three years later amid a global downturn, and switched its focus to 3D. Sony limits sales of OLED screens costing as much as $26,000 to businesses that can afford the high price tag.

In January, Samsung and LG displayed prototype 55-inch OLED screens at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Samsung has already signalled its intent on OLEDs, saying in February it will spin off its LCD panel business.

For makers of OLED displays, which boast sharper images and do not need backlighting, the obstacle to consumer acceptance is price.

You can buy 10 LCD TVs for the likely price of $10,000 for a big Samsung or LG model. That means LCD is likely to remain the dominant force in the global TV market for a while.

An executive at LG Display said an internal study indicated consumers would start buying OLED TVs once the price falls to 1.3 to 1.4 times that of an LCD set.

Japan, meanwhile, has a potential rival offering—ultra high-definition sets, dubbed 4K, that boast pictures four times sharper than today's HDTV sets. Sony, Panasonic and Sharp all have this technology, but face a broadcasting infrastructure hurdle, as television stations would need to record in 4K for viewers to watch the new ultra high-definition standard.

"However, if the sets are used to view video downloaded from the Internet then higher definition could be viewed more easily," said Kazuhira Miura, an industry analyst at SMBC Nikko Securities in Tokyo, potentially giving Japan an edge in any trend for connected smart TVs.

Given that, it's too early to write off the Japanese, but they may need help to get their operations back on track.

GRAND ALLIANCE?
One option being explored is an alliance of Japan's major TV makers, brokered by the government, which would allow them to pool their R&D cash, engineering know-how and eliminate overlapping costs. Japan has already taken a step down this road, with Sony, Toshiba, and Hitachi combining their small LCD operations into Japan Display, a state-sponsored company two-thirds owned by the taxpayer.

But TVs may be a different matter.

"Creating a united maker is going to be hard," said Yoshiharu Izumi, analyst at JPMorgan in Tokyo, citing different corporate cultures and traditions and entrenched feelings of rivalry after decades of competition. "An alliance just to cut costs doesn't really make sense. Of course any tie up doesn't have to be between Japanese companies, it could be Taiwanese."

Indeed, there are signs that cooperation is picking up between Japan and contract manufacturers in its former colony of Taiwan to take on South Korea, another former colony. Taiwan's manufacturers have plants and know-how at low prices as well as a complete supply chain for LCD production.

"The Japanese need the capacity, while the Taiwanese need outlets. Japan has the technology, but may not necessarily be able to implement. So it's a match," said D a vid Hsieh, Taipei-based Greater China market vice president at specialist research firm DisplaySearch. "Because Japan's scale is smaller, that's why it has to work with Taiwan. The added scale in TV panels will match Korea."

MORE COLLABORATION
Recent media reports have linked Sony with AU Optronics in a tie-up to make TVs, while Taiwanese component maker Hon Hai Precision Industry, which belongs to the same Foxconn group as LCD panel maker Chimei Innolux, recently became the top shareholder in Sharp and invested in its Sakai plant, Japan's most advanced LCD facility.

Taiwan's LCD industry would benefit from tie-ups with Japan through increased cooperation and outsourcing. The industry lost $4.3 billion last year, and AU is expected on Thursday to report a first-quarter loss of some $430 million.

"Taiwan doesn't have the edge in many of the technologies," said H.P. Chang, head of research at Taiwan-based specialist LCD industry research company Witview. "Even if your company wants to consolidate, others may not want to. Samsung will not sit and wait for you to grow. Taiwanese and Japanese companies need to explore ways to collaborate."

While Taiwan's government has leaned on banks to help loss-making Chimei extend its loan repayments, it takes the view that any consolidation should be led by the industry itself, though it would look at how it could help.

"I don't think Taiwan's government really wants an industry consolidation because that will create many job losses," said Samson Hung, a Taipei-based analyst for UBS.

But, without consolidation, business will be tough for Taiwanese firms as they lack international branding and their investment costs are forever rising.

"They have to consider how to allocate resources, how to share intellectual property. They have argued for a long time," said Jamie Yeh, Taipei-based analyst at Barclays. "Not just country to country, but they also have to consider cultural and language factors."

CHINA CHASING?
Also in Taiwanese makers' rear-view mirror is China's fledgling panel industry—at a fair distance today, but one that could quickly catch up. Some rising players in China include TCL Corp, BOE Technology, Tianma Microelectronics and Infovision Optoelectronics.

"I think Chinese players will keep working on their own. They don't have financial concerns," said Witview's Chang. "They will keep growing and eventually become a threat to Taiwan's capacity."

Of course, Japan's tech manufacturers could bite the bullet and seek to tie-up with the South Koreans, tapping into their lead in OLED TVs. There is a precedent: Sony had an LCD joint venture with Samsung, though exited it last year.

"Japanese firms will probably be considering OLED tie-ups with not just Taiwanese but also Samsung and LG, as the technology is more likely to become the next display for TVs and they haven't invested heavily into this technology yet," said Ji Mok-hyun, an analyst at Meritz Securities in Seoul.

For now there is an air of confidence in South Korea, looking across at a struggling Japanese industry.

"We've been No.1 in the TV market for six years and I think Japanese firms are sticking to their massive, but unprofitable, TV business simply because it's their legacy business," said a senior executive at Samsung, who asked not to be identified as he was not authorized to speak to the media.

James Jeong, chief financial officer at LG Display, said: "We're talking to TV manufacturers, including Japanese, for cooperation (in OLED supplies). There'll be plenty of opportunities for cooperation and tie-ups in the display industry... as long as it's not your sworn enemy."

A senior LG Electronics executive, who also didn't want to be named, noted problems in Japan in product innovation, supply chain management and slow management decision-making, as well as a focus on the domestic market over exports.

"It's like a swimming contest," the executive said. "Once there's a gap, it's really difficult for the follower to narrow the gap dramatically as the one ahead continues to move ahead."

SMART TV do we really want it? Probably not.

See the article below. I think there are a lot of good points but the ultimate reason for TV needing to be dumb is a bit off the mark. I have already posted on the reports that most of our TV content still is and will continue to be consumed on that main TV in your house. The most enjoyable screen for viewing the majority of the content you watch. I also agree that the USE of the mobile devices will be a great way to browse , sort , store , manage a variety of content you will have stored in the cloud, stream  , whatever. You will NOT replace you main watching experience with a tiny inferior screen. I also don't see the SMART TV being successful as it is NOT a good device to look for and get content for your TV. I expect 3DTV and IPTV to mostly be like PIP , it will be in every television. ANOTHER feature in a TV that people THOUGHT they must have a find out they rarely if ever use. Since the chips are being pushed into all of them any way, at some point US consumer will wait until the cost is cheap enough, vendors will lose money trying to build up this business and push it, but it will be out there for everyone to have. Another concern is how quickly will it be outdated, and need to be replaced. Probably well before you are considering or willing to replace that TV in your home.

Next I will get started on Voice and Motion control TV, which is not about the TV but where you get your content and how that set top box is controlled. Outside of volume control good luck with anything else being NEEDED in your TV, Sure it would be great to select a program on your BRANDED TV. But that doesn't control you Satellite or Cable box in which the vast majority of us use, and use the universal control that comes with it for basically everything. Why do you think there has been little to no need to change the remote for the past 20 plus years!

JZ

Smart TV May Be Too Smart for Its Own Good

By Patrick Nelson
TechNewsWorld
04/27/12 5:00 AM PT

Could Smart TV become one of the most short-lived consumer technologies ever, paralleling the laser disc? Is it maybe Dumb TV that we want? As smaller, portable devices like the tablet and smartphone provide our TV content, the television itself may return to being the dumb terminal in the corner, simply displaying what we shoot over to it from our companion devices.

If you've been anywhere near a consumer electronics retailer lately or have leafed through the consumer electronics circulars and ads that supplement Sunday newspapers, you've no doubt noticed the words "Smart TV" shouting out at you.

And if you've been wondering what a Smart TV is, or whether whatever it is may be smarter than you are, read on.
What It Is
Smart TV is the integration of Internet-delivered content with connected televisions. It's distinct from a straightforward IP (Internet Protocol) television delivery where the programming is simply delivered via the Internet, because Smart TV includes OTT (Over the Top) services like Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX) and Hulu, as well as easy access to You Tube and Web browsers with search functions. Social network functionality is also prevalent.
In a Smart TV, these OTT products can be combined with traditional broadcast programming and a cable or satellite provider's own VoD (Video on Demand) services. Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) TV's Smart TV product, for example, is designed to enable a pass-through layer for traditional television.
Smart TVs can be standalone televisions with built-in Smart TV functionality, or they can be set-top boxes enabling additional OTT functionality in existing traditional televisions.
OTT-like and other Smart TV-like functions can also be found on game consoles like Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii.
LG, Samsung and Sony (NYSE: SNE) are major players in both the all-in-one TV and set-top box markets. Players like Roku and Boxee sell set-top Smart TV solutions that they often call "video streaming receivers."

Flummoxed by Fragmentation

One of the killer business models when it comes to Smart TV, is that it -- like You Tube -- can offer specialized channels. Independent movie theater chain Curzon has just launched an on-demand service via Samsung's branded SmartTV product. These niche apps highlight the fragmentation -- Curzon's channel is not available on Sony's Smart TV product, among others, for example.
"Samsung's SmartTV was the logical choice for Curzon to launch its on-demand TV service, as it currently has the greatest penetration and is the most advanced Smart TV platform available at the moment," said Tom Cape, CEO of Capablue, Curzon's product developer.
"SmartTV is one of the most immersive and interactive experiences for a customer," he told Technewswold, "and with more than 10 million apps already downloaded through Samsung's TV app store, it is proving very popular."

Apple TV and Google TV

Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) is expected to release an updated Smart TV, or similar product in the future that may include some kind of artificial intelligence or previously unseen UI element. AHbb-Next, a European Hybrid broadcaster unrelated to Apple, is developing a face recognition EPG (electronic program guide.)
Google TV's product will be embedded in televisions from multiple different manufacturers.
"With Google TV, you get unprecedented access to and control of more entertainment for your TV," Matt McLernon from the Google TV team told Technewsworld.
"This includes live TV, millions of new channels from the Web, more than 80,000 movies and TV shows available on demand, and new apps coming to Google Play every day," he said. "We're working closely with our partners to bring lots of ways you can enjoy Google TV, and expect to see more Google TV options coming out later this year."

Shootout and Land Grab

We're already seeing the results of television maker shootouts, with Sony recently announcing 10,000 layoffs -- about 6 percent of its workforce -- as the consumer electronics land grab continues.
Sony has been having a problem competing with Samsung and LG in the TV market, despite an aggressive push into Smart TV. They have been cutting into Sony's market, and we're likely to see more land-grabbing.

Smart TV and the Second Screen

"The trend of viewing live and on-demand programming on smartphones and tablets is accelerating," Mark Hyland, general manager of EMEA for QuickPlay Media, told Technewsworld.
"Seventy-six percent of 18-to-44 year-olds in the UK indicated they are watching more TV on these devices than just one year ago," he noted.

The Road Ahead

And how will it end? Could Smart TV become one of the most short-lived consumer technologies ever, paralleling the laser disc? Is it maybe Dumb TV that we want?
As smaller, portable devices like the tablet and smartphone provide our TV content, the television itself may return to being the dumb terminal in the corner, simply displaying what we shoot over to it using existing streaming technologies like DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) or You Tube from our companion devices.
We will see.

Sharp loss for year over $3 Billion

See the article below. Sharp yearly numbers are in, and it continues to be bad news in the Consumer Electronics Industry. TVs again a large part to blame for the over $3 Billion in US dollar loss for Sharp for the year. Technology can't continue to be developed and released and drive such severe losses and have companies continue. Getting new gadgets will be at serious risk, price could skyrocket as the number of companies that can stay in this business dwindle down.

JZ

Sharp Posts Net Loss For Fiscal Year

By Steve Smith -- TWICE, 4/27/2012

Tokyo - Sharp Electronics reported a net loss and a double-digit drop in net sales in its fiscal year, ended March 31.

The net loss was 376 billion yen compared with the prior year's net income of 19.4 billion yen, and sales were down 18.7 percent for the year to 2.46 trillion yen.

Sharp blamed the usual culprits -- the continued strength of the yen, troubles with the Japanese and European economies and a slowdown in China -- and lower demand for LCD TVs.

In its consumer/information products unit, sales were down 25.6 percent to 1.06 trillion yen compared with the prior year due to "sharply decreased demand" in Japan and larger-than-expected price declines, "which was slightly offset by healthy growth of large-size models 60 inches and larger overseas, especially in North America," the company said.

Sharp, which entered into an agreement with Hon Hai Group, the Taiwanese electronics manufacturer that bought a 10 percent stake in the company and is a major Apple supplier, sees some optimism from that and for growing demand for LCDs in smartphones and tablets, but expects the coming fiscal year to "remain unpredictable," the company said.

Nintendo Posts Large Loss

Not getting any easier anywhere in the Consumer Electronics Industry. In the article below read the large loss posted by Nintendo. First Annual Loss EVER for the company.

JZ

Nintendo Posts First Annual Operating Loss

Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 4/26/2012

Tokyo - Nintendo reported Thursday its first-ever annual operating loss of $460.9 million (37.3 billion yen) as sales of its Wii and 3DS systems produced lower-than-expected results.

For the fiscal year, ended March 31, Nintendo reported a net loss of $532.5 million (43.2 billion yen) from a year ago, when the company reported a $958.9 million (77.6 billion yen) profit.

The video game maker also reported a 36.2 percent drop in revenue to $8 billion (647.6 billion yen), from more than 1 trillion yen reported on March 31, 2011.

The 37.3 billion yen operating loss was slightly better than a predicted 41.4 billion yen loss for the fiscal year.

Nintendo saw depressed sales for its Wii, DS and 3DS game systems in the past year.

Sales of Wii consoles dropped to 9.84 million during the fiscal year, from 15 million for the year ending March 31, 2011, Nintendo reported.

Wii software sales also declined to 102.3 million units, from 171 million a year ago.

The handheld Nintendo DS game player saw sales drop from 17.5 million units a year ago to 5.1 million units in past year, while sales of the newer 3DS sold 13.5 million units, helped by a price cut from $249 to $169 that was necessitated by poorer-than-expected sales last summer.

In addition to the launch of some lackluster game titles at the launch of the 3DS, analysts believe Nintendo's handheld gaming business has been adversely impacted by the introduction of gaming apps on smartphones and tablets.

To correct the loss, Nintendo said it will stop selling the 3DS below cost by the middle of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013, and will add more titles, including a side-scrolling 2D New Super Mario Bros. 2 game and a new version of Animal Crossing.

The video game company is also counting on a strong showing from the launch of the new Wii U console in Japan, the United States and Europe by the end of the calendar year.

Nintendo said the new console will introduce a new style of home entertainment supported by a "unique controller" that embeds a 6.2-inch touchscreen.

Nintendo said it expects to see $10.1 billion (820 billion yen) in net sales and operating income of $432.5 million (35 billion yen) and a net income of $247.1 million (20 billion yen) by March 31, 2013.

Nintendo forecasts sales of 18.5 million 3DS units and 10.5 million Wii consoles in the year ahead.

Television in home still most watched device regardless of source of content

Some of the latest feedback and reports. Basically regardless of the source that content is being watched on the TVs in your home. With rapid growth of mobile being a fact, the fact also is that they content is being watched in very short intervals. The majority of the time people still would rather watch full length video content on their TV in their home. We will continue to see where this trend goes.

JZ

Whiting: Anytime, Anywhere Video Still Primarily Means Traditional TV At Home

But Nielsen Exec Says Online Video Will Play Increasing Role in Media Choices

John Eggerton -- Multichannel News, 4/23/2012 10:36:56 AM

Nielsen Vice Chairman Susan Whiting plans to tell the Senate Commerce Committee Tuesday, April 24, that while video consumers increasingly are watching video on the best screen available, on more devices and at more locations, 91% of that anytime, anywhere consumption still comes on traditional TV in real time.
And while tablets and smart phones have fueled an explosion in digital access to video, there are still are record number of TV sets in American homes.
Whiting's written testimony, a copy of which was obtained by Multichannel News, is based on Nielsen's latest" State of the Media: Digital Consumer Report."
While 166 million Americans watched video online in October 2011, and more than 117 million accessed the 'net through mobile, she points out that is still mostly in short bursts rather than large blocks of time.
The average monthly total of viewing on mobile devices and computers is a little under nine hours, while the average viewer watches a whopping 146 hours-plus of traditional TV on one of those record number of TV sets.
YouTube and Netflix dominate online video viewing, together accounting for over half 56% of the 4 hours, 31 minutes of average streaming video per month.
She points out that 33.5 million mobile phones now watch video on their phones, up more than a third (35.7%) in only the past year. She concludes that "consumers are saying unequivocally that online video will continue to play an increasingly larger role in their media choices."
Whiting is joining IAC's Barry Diller and other execs to talk about the implications of the migration of video from traditional TV to the Internet.

Sharp to post an expected loss of $2.5 Billion for 2011

TV business is not getting any easier - just one of many TV companies posting HUGE LOSSES for 2011.

JZ

Sharp replacing president after huge loss expected for 2011

The electronics company is shuffling its leadership as it faces a sluggish market and a big loss forecast for fiscal 2011.

by Lance Whitney March 14, 2012 8:20 AM PDT

A shift in top management comes amid a tough climate for LCD TV sales.

(Credit: Sharp)

Sharp will appoint Executive Officer Takashi Okuda as its new president effective April 1, replacing President Mikio Katayama, the company announced today.
Katayama will transition to his new role as chairman of the board of directors but without any representative rights, according to Nikkei.com. Chairman Katsuhiko Machida will step down to become a special adviser.
The shift in leadership comes amid ongoing financial woes for the Japanese electronics maker. Falling prices on LCD TVs and a robust yen have both hurt the company's bottom line. For the nine months ended in December, Sharp saw its revenue drop by 18 percent and its operating income fall by 86 percent. The net loss reached 213 billion yen ($2.5 billion).

Citing the debt problems in Europe, worries about a slower global economy, and the impact from the yen, the company recently lowered its forecast for fiscal 2011, which ends March 31.
Sharp sees operating income as flat, down from its prior estimate of 85 billion yen. And instead of a net profit of 6 billion yen, the company expects a loss of 290 billion yen ($3.5 billion).
"It is my aim to unite the company and revive our fortunes by changing our business model," Okuda said in a statement published by The Verge. "We have a lot of unique technology, and the ability to produce one-of-a-kind products is in our genes. If we give it our all, we still have a chance."
Okuda joined Sharp in 1978 and worked his way up the ranks, becoming an executive officer for the company's global business in October, focusing on sales in emerging markets.