This past year has been full of newsworthy events, but aside from all the politics, war, and economic doom sayers, consumer electronics makers continued to innovate and market, and consumers reached into their pockets to purchase the latest in new technology. Here is a list of some of the more newsworthy home theater trends of 2003.
HDTV Keeps Rolling Along
Looking back on 2003, it can be said that HDTV made major inroads. Newsworthy developments, favorable to consumers, were the increased amount of HDTV services through Cable (COX, Comcast, And Time Warner) and Satellite (including the introduction of VOOM, the first HDTV-only satellite service). Also, with most television networks broadcasting larger portions of their primetime schedules in HD, FOX, the lone network hold out, announced it would pursue an aggressive HDTV strategy beginning in Fall 2004.
In addition to increased programming news concerning HDTV, sales of HDTV-capable TVs experienced a big jump this past year, fueled largely by the attraction of consumers to Flat Panel LCD and Plasma TVs (See the next section). For additional information on sales trends of DTV/HDTV products in 2003, CLICK HERE. Also, before buying an HDTV in 2004, check out my useful HDTV FAQs.
The Flat Panel Seduction Turns Into Flat Panel Frenzy
Alhough prices of Plasma and LCD flat panel televisions in 2003 were still relatively high when compared to tube and projection TVs of the same screen sizes, apparently they came down in price enough to generate an increased demand for such sets that taxed the limits of manufacturers to supply them to stores fast enough. Where once were walls of tube televisions on store shelves, the shopper was confronted with walls of Plasma and LCD TVs to choose from.
The impact of this dramatic change in the TV buying landscape caused several manufacturers to announce abrupt decreases in traditional picture tube manufacturing, coupled with movement of picture tube production to the least expensive overseas labor markets. Even SONY was caught off gaurd with a lack of LCD production facilities to meet its competition. As a result, the consumer electronics giant concluded an agreement with Samsung to share in LCD and Flat panel production.
Definitely watch this product category in 2004 as flat panel televisions continue to drop in price and consumers take a good, hard look at how much space they can save by getting rid of that old tube or projection TV. Check out my current Plasma and LCD television picks.
Video Projectors - Creating True Home Theater Magic
Although not creating quite the stir as Flat Panel Televisions, more and more consumers discovered the "magic" of video projectors in 2003. While video projection has been around almost as long as traditional television, advances in technology, such as LCD and DLP have made the video projector more compact and less expensive. The result is that you can approximate the atmosphere of your local movie theater right in your own home. Sales of video projectors in 2003 were quite respectable as more manufacturers, such as Optoma and others made projectors in the sub-$5,000 price range with high-end features, such as HDTV resolution and better brightness and constrast levels. This trend should continue in 2004 as more consumers discover the video projector as a great home entertainment option. For additional information on video projector technology and products, check out my article Video Projectors - What You Need To Know.
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