How Many 3D HDTVs Shipped in 2010? Was that a Success?
By Chris Chinnock
Sr. Editor and Analyst, Insight Media The exact number appears to be a matter of debate. According to a recent report from DisplayBank, 6.2M 3D HDTVs shipped worldwide in 2010. DisplaySearch says that number is 3.2M. How can there be such a big difference in these numbers? Frankly, I have no idea.
Many 3D HDTV forecasts, covering a whole range of numbers, were issued during 2010. Some firms increased or decreased their forecasts as market conditions changed — which is fine for inventory control, but more troubling for long-term planning.
Last February, Insight Media went through its 3D HDTV forecast process and created our view of how 2010, and beyond, would evolve. Our assessment? We forecast 3.3M 3D HDTVs worldwide for 2010 and 1.1M 3D HDTVs for the US and Canada. According to the CEA, preliminary data suggests that US sales of 3D HDTVs, including DLP HDTVs, will be 1.1M. And, if you believe the DisplaySearch worldwide numbers, our forecast from last February for 2010 was right on the money.
What’s in store for 2011? We predict active shutter glasses solutions continuing to dominate sales, but passive glasses 3D HDTVs sales will get everyone’s attention in 2011. In addition, autostereoscopic 3D HDTVs will enter the market. Here, we are less optimistic, believing that current products will not meet the needs of the ordinary consumer — at least, not for a few years. We are currently working on three new forecast reports to cover active shutter, passive polarized and autostereoscopic 3D HDTVs. Stay tuned.
Another recent topic of debate — should the number of sales of 3D HDTVs in 2010 be viewed as a success or a failure? From the TV makers’ perspective, their goals for selling 3D HDTVs were much higher in the spring and summer of 2010 — unrealistically high, in our opinion. Those expectations lowered as 2010 evolved, so some might view that as a failure.
On the other hand, these same TV companies are now turning lemons into lemonade by suggesting that the sales of 3D HDTVs were actually quite good in comparison to HDTV sales, which took 5-6 years to reach an equivalent level of sales. So, 2010 was a success!
From the retailer’s perspective, I think most would agree that sales did not live up to expectations. Lack of 3D content, high TV prices and costly glasses, a slow economy and consumer confusion all detracted from a robust selling environment.
I think consumer reaction is mixed. If you bought a 3D HDTV, you were likely to be happy with performance, even if you didn’t have much content to watch. For those who didn’t buy, they might indeed view 2010 as a failure for the same reasons retailers were not happy.
Programmers like ESPN and DirecTV are also likely to have a mixed reaction to 2010. Much was learned about how to produce and deliver 3D and about why quality matters so very much. But, will advertisers step in this year to establish a viable long-term business model for 3D? That remains to be seen, but we are encouraged by the vibrant activity to create more content, 3D channels and vehicles for delivering this to consumers.
So was 2010 a success or failure? The cop-out answer is — it depends upon your perspective.
Chris Chinnock is a senior analyst and editor at Insight Media. Reach him at chris@insightmedia.info Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top CEDIA Technology Council Helps You Learn About HDMI CEDIA’s Technology Council has released the second white paper in a series on HDMI. HDMI Design and Initialization Sequence covers three types of HDMI devices as well as the authentication process of displaying the best possible audio and video format and a list of third-party HDCP key limits. This document is available through the CEDIA Marketplace free of charge to CEDIA members and is priced at $9.99 for non-members.
The HDMI Design and Initialization Sequence white paper was developed by CEDIA’s Technology Council, which works to help CEDIA members identify opportunities surrounding emerging and future technologies. Additional white papers on timely and relevant technology topics will be released throughout 2011. Back to Top CEDIA Can Help You Find a New Job or Recruit New Employees The New Year inevitably brings goals and a newfound sense of motivation for many people and many companies. If one of your goals is to find a new job or to hire a new employee, CEDIA’s Career Center can help you out. Searching for a job or finding a qualified employee can be hard in the clutter of other job-posting websites. CEDIA’s Career Center provides a much-needed forum for employers and job-seekers to connect. CEDIA members can post job openings and have unlimited access to resumes that have been uploaded by job-seekers. Not a CEDIA member? You can still post your resume free of charge. Employers that are not CEDIA members may post jobs and browse resumes for a fee. Start on some of those New Year’s goals today; visit the CEDIA Career Center at www.cedia.org/career_center. Back to Top Four Ways to Save on Your CEDIA Management Conference Registration CEDIA Management Conference is an investment in your business, and there are still ways for you to save on your registration.
1. Register before February 1, and save up to $400
2. When you bring a colleague they will receive $100 off their registration*
3. Contact a conference sponsor for a code to receive $100 off*
4. Stay tuned in with CEDIA social media to get exclusive discount codes — follow @CEDIA on Twitter find us on Facebook, or Join the CEDIA Group on LinkedIn.
*Only one $100 discount can be applied to each registration.
The industry is in a constant state of change; learn solutions to help your business remain successful by attending Management Conference 2011 held at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego March 9-12. The content for Management Conference will focus on people, strategy and execution — areas essential to running a successful business. Industry professionals will offer their experience and expertise to help you develop your business in these areas. The small group of business-minded professionals in attendance means you get to network with peers like you who have similar goals. Taking time to refresh your outlook on your business can be very beneficial. Your registration fees include 10 continuing education units, all meal functions, conference materials, post-conference follow-up communication and networking. To view the full conference schedule and to register visit www.cedia.org/mc. Back to Top rAVe Announces New Website rAVe has announced an all new website, totally redesigned and with a ton of new content. It's divided into two sections — the rAVe [Publications] website will host newsletter archives and digital news, plus industry resources such as press releases, white papers, an industry calendar, and more. The rAVe NOW website has more than seven new blogs from industry members, tradeshow portals (including the upcoming ISE 2011 show next week), videos, and other social media coverage. Check it out and let us know what you think! <https://www.ravepubs.com Back to Top VIZIO Settles With LG VIZIO announced last week that it has signed a settlement agreement together with cross license agreements ending a patent dispute with LG Electronics, Inc. that began in 2008.
The settlement encompasses actions that LGE and VIZIO filed in the U.S., including in the International Trade Commission resulting in various orders and determinations. The terms of the settlement agreement and the cross license agreements were not released. The parties will file requests for dismissal of all outstanding actions in the appropriate courts. Details are not being made public yet! Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Samsung Acquires Liquavista A few months after debuting its first flexible ePaper prototype displays, Liquavista BV (based in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, and spun out from Philips Research Labs in 2006) is being acquired by Samsung Electronics. Johan Feenstra is succeeding Guy Demuynck as the company CEO.
A pioneer in ePaper technology (displays for e-readers, mobile phones, media players and other mobile devices that use about 10 percent less battery power than extant displays), Liquavista's ePaper displays will be manufactured in existing Samsung LCD production lines after some modifications.
More information can be found here: http://www.liquavista.com/news_and_events/getRelease.aspx?ReleaseID=62 Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top HDMI Grows in Mobile Phones HDMI-enabled mobile phone shipments grew to over 1 million in 2010, In-Stat reports. This growth is partly thanks to the increase in phones able to capture 720p HD video. However HDMI must convince more phone vendors and OEMs to include the additional port in their devices — HDMI faces competition from new interfaces like Mobile High-definition Link (MHL).
Currently HDMI-enabled CE accounts for over 350m device 2010 device shipments. In-Stat predicts HDMI device shipments will increase by 20.8 percent annually through 2014 — increasingly gaining traction in mobile PCs, graphics cards and PC monitors. Meanwhile DVI will start its inevitable decline from 2011 (its last year of growth according to In-Stat) as it faces competition from HDMI and DisplayPort.
Here’s the entire report from In-Stat: http://www.in-stat.com/press.asp?ID=2940&sku=IN1004688MI Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Sonance Ships Landscape Series Sonance told rAVe last week that the company’s finally started shipping its Landscape Series of outdoor speakers. The three models include the LS47SAT, a two-way satellite speaker that uses a 3” woofer and a .75” tweeter to deliver 25 watts at 70 volts. The LS67SAT is a slightly larger two-way satellite speaker that uses a 6” woofer and a .75” tweeter to deliver 25 watts at 70 volts and the in ground sub that uses a 10” woofer and delivers 100 watts at 70 volts.
Want full specs? Go here: http://eblast.danainnovations.com/landscape.zip Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Savant Launches 16-channel Class D Amp This week, Savant introduced a 16-channel class D amplifier for distributed audio applications. Savant says the AMP-1640 can be paired with Savant’s multi-room audio products and can be placed either on a shelf or within an equipment rack. AMP-1640 specs include 40WPC @ 8 Ohms, 50WPC @ 4 Ohms, independent gain controls for all channels, an input Trigger: 5 – 24 V AC/DC and an output Trigger: 12VDC (100mA).
Details can be found here: http://www.savantav.com/press_releases/savant_introduces_16channel_class_d_amplifier_.aspx Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Kramer Shows New 16 Port Audio Switcher Kramer announced a new audio matrix in the form of the VS-106 – a combo switcher/amplifier for unbalanced stereo audio signals originally designed for the demonstration of speaker systems in a retail environment. The switcher mechanically switches a single stereo line input to one output that can be either one of ten unpowered unbalanced audio stereo line outputs, or to one of six 8-watt RMS per channel amplified speaker outputs. Kramer says the VS-106 allows side-by-side demonstration and evaluation of various powered speakers (also known as amplified or active speakers) and non-powered speakers utilizing a single audio source. The VS-106 has one unbalanced stereo audio input on RCA connectors. On the output side, the unit has six powered speaker outputs on four-pin push-type speaker terminals and ten line level unbalanced stereo audio outputs on RCA connectors. The VS-106 operates with a 12V DC power supply, and is housed in a standard 19” 1U rack mount size, with rack “ears” included and lists at $1045 each.
Details? Go here: http://www.kramer-us.com/products/model.asp?pid=2021 Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Crestron Intros HDMI to STP Wall Plate Crestron launched a new line of HDMI over STP (shielded twisted pair) adapters. Dubbed the HD-EXT, they send HDMI signals over a single STP wire up to 330 feet – and according to Crestron, it’s uncompressed without loss of signal quality (but you do have to use their DM 8G wire).
Two HD-EXT models – HD-EXT1-C and HD-EXT2-C – serve a variety of applications. The HD-EXT1-C includes a compact HD transmitter and receiver that carry high-definition digital video and audio, plus two-way RS-232 and IR control signals, simultaneously over a single DM 8G STP cable. With support for HDMI with Deep Color and 3D, 7.1 channel HD lossless audio, DVI and DisplayPort, and resolutions up to 1920×1200 and 1080p60, HD-EXT1-C brings uncompressed HD entertainment and presentation sources to any room with what they call minimal setup time.
For more information on HD-EXT HDMI over Shielded Twisted Pair Extenders, please visit: http://www.crestron.com/resources/product_and_programming_resources/catalogs_and_brochures/online_catalog/default.asp?type=residential&cat=1048 Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Sanus Ships Super Slim, Full-Motion Mount SANUS told rAVe last week it is now shipping the VisionMount VLF311 Super Slim Full-Motion Mount. This mount supports 37- to 65-inch LCDs that weigh up to 120 lbs., placing them just 1.25 inches from the wall and offering 11 inches of extension. The VLF311 also offers fingertip tilt, integrated cable management, and a pretty cool gliding system that allows the TV to extend out from the wall with barely any force. It’s listed at $269.
Want all the specs? Go here: http://www.sanus.com/us/en/products/visionmount/full-motion-mount/VLF311 Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Da-Lite Launches Pico Projector Screen Da-Lite Screen has an industry first – a tabletop Pico Screen. The new Pico Screen was, obviously, designed with pico projectors in mind and is a lightweight portable projection system perfect for in-home meetings where you’re trying to educate the homeowner about your services or show client photography.
Setup is as simple as removing the screen from the carrying case, pulling the two halves of the case apart and placing the screen on a table or stand. There are no latches or feet to deal with. Fully expanded, the viewing area of the screen is a 30” diagonal HDTV format. Since the screen maintains a constant height and is infinitely adjustable, an NTSC video format can be easily achieved to accommodate a variety of source materials. The Da-Lite Pico Screen is standard with Video Spectra 1.5 gain screen material. In the closed position, the screen case is only 19” long and weighs five pounds. Here’s all the details: http://www.da-lite.com/products/product.php?cID=19&pID=494 Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top DSE Show Registration Opens Back to Top Randy Stearns to Become CEDIA Chairman CEDIA has named Randy Stearns, owner of Engineered Environments located in Alameda, Calif., as the new elected official to fill the role of CEDIA Chairman, recently held by the late Randy Vaughan. Stearns has served on the CEDIA Board of Directors since 2005 and has been an active member of CEDIA since 1993. To read the complete press release online, click here. Back to Top Premier Mounts Partners with D-Tools Premier Mounts has partnered with D-Tools and will become one of its Manufacturer Vantage Point (MVP) partners. To read the complete press release online, click here. | Back to Top For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe HomeAV Edition out there, hopefully you enjoyed another opinion-packed issue!
For those of you NEW to rAVe, you just read how we are — we are 100% opinionated. We not only report the news and new product stories of the high-end HomeAV industry, but we stuff the articles full of our opinions. That may include (but is not limited to) whether or not the product is even worth looking at, challenging the manufacturers on their specifications, calling a marketing-spec bluff and suggesting ways integrators market their products better. But, one thing is for sure, we are NOT a trade publication that gets paid for running editorial or product stories. Traditional trade publications get paid to run product stories — that’s why you see what you see in most of the pubs out there. We are different: we run what we want to run and NO ONE is going to pay us to write anything good (or bad).
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A little about me: I graduated from Journalism School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (where I am adjunct faculty). I’ve been in the AV-industry since 1987 where I started with Extron and eventually moved to AMX. So, I guess I am an industry veteran (although I don’t think I am that old). I have been an opinionated columnist for a number of industry publications and in the late 1990s I started the widely read KNews eNewsletter (the first in the AV market) and also created the model for and was co-founder of AV Avenue – which is now known as InfoComm IQ. rAVe Publications has been around since 2003, when we launched our original newsletter, rAVe ProAV Edition.
rAVe HomeAV Edition, co-published with CEDIA, launched in February, 2004.
To read more about my background, our team, and what we do, go to https://www.ravepubs.com Back to Top Copyright 2011 – rAVe [Publications] – All rights reserved. For reprint policies, contact rAVe [Publications], 210 Old Barn Ln. – Chapel Hill, NC 27517 – 919/969-7501. Email: sara@ravepubs.com
rAVe HomeAV Edition contains the opinions of the author only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of other persons or companies or its sponsors. |