Although Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) is still the dominant display technology in the TV market, flat-panel technologies are taking increasing amounts of the market, according to In-Stat a high-tech marketresearch firm. In many countries, even some of those with digital terrestrial broadcasting, flat-panel TVs are the only digital TVs available. The growing popularity of flat-panel units ishighlighted by a recent In-Stat consumer survey. “Flat-panel TVs are overwhelmingly popular, with 66% of U.S. respondents who plan to buy a DTV in the next two years planning to purchase a flat-panelTV,” said Michelle Abraham, In-Stat analyst. “Plans for a flat-panel TV purchase were greater among younger respondents than older.”
A recent report by In-Stat found the following:
— Many digital TVs are not shipping with integrated DTV tuners. Only in the United States, where tuner inclusion is mandated, and Japan are millions of TV sets shipping with integrated DTV tuners.
— 45% of In-Stat survey respondents who plan to buy a DTV set plan to buy an LCD TV, while 26% plan to buy a plasma TV, and 24% plan to buy an RPTV.
— IC manufacturers are jockeying for position in the DTV set market, acquiring the DTV technologies they need in order to offer a complete DTV silicon solution particularly for flat panel TVs. As the market grows, the competition will be fierce.
I didn’t realize that a DTV tuner was mandated here in the U.S.? I was just recently shopping for a 32-inch HDTV flat panel, and a lot of them still come without an ATSC tuner built-in. Is there a date which the FCC has put into place where manufacturers have to start integrating tuners into their TV’s?
