Prices in the next 6 months

[1tribeca]

I was in my local A/V store the other day...as I was chatting with the service guy, a buddy of mine, I caught the Pioneer rep (the big one, for all of Canada, not a regional guy) saying "don't buy a panel til July..." as he walked out the door. If anyone would have some sort of idea about price drop, you'd think it would be him!!!

Is it likely that there will be a big drop in plasma prices in the next couple months for current models? Up here, the list price for the second-from-top Elite is about $5100. How far do you think this number could drop (if at all) by late spring/early summer?

I'm just scared to go ahead and buy a panel that A) will be cheaper in a big way in a few months B) settle for a panel that isn't 1080p because of current cost.

Should one hang on, and make sure to get a native 1080p panel? Is it a big concern for the next 10 years?

 

[The Dukester]

Obviously I was not there, but my first thought is that he said that in reference to the fact that the new SED killer units that were on display at CES will be out about that time. Will the price come down on current models? Sure, but according to all reports from CES they can't hold a candle in the wind to the new ones.

 

[1tribeca]

"SED"? details please.

 

[1tribeca]

Nevermind...did some reading! Sounds great. Now I'm unsure about buying a plasma!!! Stop this tech-train...I wanna get off!!

 

[BBigJ]

Great news. I'm figuring to go on the market in August/September. What I'd really like is to see 42" 1080 LCD panels in the $1000-1200 range.

 

[stratman]

That late in the year (Q4) I'd wait for SED, it should be out at the time, factor PQ, price and tech issues(compatabilty) if they meet my expectations I'd seroiusly look at SED. If the hype is right

 

[BBigJ]

That late in the year (Q4) I'd wait for SED, it should be out at the time, factor PQ, price and tech issues(compatabilty) if they meet my expectations I'd seroiusly look at SED. If the hype is right

I'll take a look, but I'd put the chances of SED units being in my price range (or at least the wife-approved price range) at somewhere between slim and none.

 

[MDS]

SED and OLED won't be mainstream for years. I wouldn't hold my breath or delay a purchase waiting for either of them.

LCD and plasma prices have been declining about 20% per year but it is impossible to predict when they will reach whatever price point one has in mind.

 

[stratman]

SED and OLED won't be mainstream for years. I wouldn't hold my breath or delay a purchase waiting for either of them.

LCD and plasma prices have been declining about 20% per year but it is impossible to predict when they will reach whatever price point one has in mind.

Yeah, pricepoints are a very personal thing. Why do you think SED and Oled won't be mainstream for years, curious?

 

[MDS]

Because I've read about SED and OLED and they are still in prototype stages - kind of like how car manufacturers make 'concept cars' that may not be in actual production for a long time to come.

Neither will be useful for big screen TVs for quite some time.

 

[BBigJ]

Because there is just no way a new technology can compete with the economy of scale that has been maturing over the last half decade in the LCD/plasma market. Just look at how many new manufacturing plants have opened for LCD/plasma and what that has done to the price of these displays. Any new technology is going to start at the beginning, and if there is success the prices will gradually work their way down. Now if the advantage of the new technology was cost, that is a different story, but SED's advantage is picture quality so it will necessarily start out in the high-end market.

Here's another question about pricing. What usually happens to TV pricing after the Super Bowl? Do they stay at the sale price levels, or pop back up and gradually work their way back down? How long does it take before pricing hits SB week levels again? Does anyone here have a feel for the yearly pricing cycle?

 

[stratman]

Because I've read about SED and OLED and they are still in prototype stages - kind of like how car manufacturers make 'concept cars' that may not be in actual production for a long time to come.

Neither will be useful for big screen TVs for quite some time.

I read an article stating they'll be released to the public in Q4 of this year. I din't know about the big screen issue, thanks for clarifying.

The site was hdtvsolutions.com, they also posted press release stating product intro end of '07.

 

[stratman]

Because there is just no way a new technology can compete with the economy of scale that has been maturing over the last half decade in the LCD/plasma market. Just look at how many new manufacturing plants have opened for LCD/plasma and what that has done to the price of these displays. Any new technology is going to start at the beginning, and if there is success the prices will gradually work their way down. Now if the advantage of the new technology was cost, that is a different story, but SED's advantage is picture quality so it will necessarily start out in the high-end market.

Here's another question about pricing. What usually happens to TV pricing after the Super Bowl? Do they stay at the sale price levels, or pop back up and gradually work their way back down? How long does it take before pricing hits SB week levels again? Does anyone here have a feel for the yearly pricing cycle?

The stated 20% per year is about right, it also depends on seller, area, volume of seller, discount offered by manufacturer. In Brandsmart here in Miami SOME units have come down 30-35% per year.