3D sales predicted to soar as flat panel TV growth stalls

The latest Display Search Quarterly Advanced Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report has found that 2011 Flat Panel TV Growth is likely be half that of 2010, with growth shifting to emerging sectors such as 3D.

The report found that total TV shipments grew by nearly 18% year on year in 2010 to 248 million units. However, it expects shipment growth to fall to less than 4% year on year in 2011.

Flat panel growth will slow even further, as they are set to be decrease from a 32% growth in 2010 on a unit basis to 12% in 2011.

LCD TVs are expected to account for about 84% of all TV shipments in 2011,with worldwide LCD TV shipments increasing from about 192 million units in 2010 to almost 217 million units in 2011, a 13% increase.

Total LCD TV shipments are expected to increase steadily, reaching 270 million units by 2014. Of LD set types, sets containing an LED backlight are predicted to account for around half of the total LCD TV units shipped in 2011.

The survey also found that 3D will quickly rise to more than 50% of revenues, selling 100 million units worldwide over the next three years.

The report also states that 3D will become a standard feature of large screen TVs of all technology types. It notes that despite being in total infancy compared with the other screen technologies in use, some manufacturers are already starting to bring 3D to entry-level HD sets, something that will provide a spur to growth.

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