LCD HDTV Prices Could Drop 35 Percent In 2007

Washington, D.C. (March 14, 2007) -- LCD HDTV prices could drop as much as 35 percent before year's end, according to iSuppli.

The research group predicted yesterday that roughly 75 million LCD sets will be sold this year, a 42 percent increase over last year. iSuppli last year had forecast that only 72.9 million sets would be sold in 2007.

However, the group said dropping prices will drive even more sales of the flat-panel TV. For instance, a $2,000 46-inch LCD HDTV could be priced as low as $1,299 by the holidays.

iSuppli also said that shipments of LCD sets will surpass 100 million units in 2008 and 171 million units by 2011.

"By that time, LCD-TVs will dominate the market, accounting for 65 percent of all television unit shipments worldwide," said Sweta Dash, director of LCD research at iSuppli.

If iSuppli's forecast is correct, LCD prices could be about the same as Plasma prices this holiday season. However, it's likely that Plasma makers will drop prices as well to keep pace.

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