Buying new 3D TV in UAE set to fall

A price war is brewing in the 3D television segment, with prices set to fall by 2012-end. LG Electronics, currently selling 3D TVs in the UAE within the $1000 to $5000 range, expects a price decline of between 10 and 20 per cent by the year-end. “Prices will always go down due to technological advances. We expect 10 to 20 per cent decline in prices for same product. But, we want to maintain prices, so we upgrade - feature, function and design-wise,” Duk Young Kim, President, LG Electronics Gulf, told Emirates 24|7 on Sunday after launching 2012 Cinema 3D Smart TV lineup. The 3D Bezel TV is less than 1mm thick and includes a 2D to 3D conversion engine. The 55-inch TV in the series is being sold for Dh15,000. According to the company, the new technology in the "smart" lineup allows users to adjust the depth, or the distance between the on-screen objects, of a 3D movie or TV show they are watching. It also includes a wireless display feature that enables easy and quick connection between TV and personal computer with Intel’s WiDi technology. The Korean chaebol (conglomerate) claims to have a 40 per cent market share in the 3D TV segment in the UAE. James Kim, Product Manager/TV Division, LG Electronics, said that the total market size of 3D TVs is likely to jump significantly to 20 per cent by year-end from a mere five per cent in first quarter 2011, with estimated sales of 200,000 units. Although Japan’s Toshiba has announced plans to launch glass-free 3D TVs, LG is unlikely to be left behind. “Definitely, we are the leaders. “I cannot say the right time, but we are on the way of introducing 3D TVs without glasses,” Duk Young Kim informed.