LCD and Plasma TV prices continue to fall
The era of Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) televisions is over with Plasma and liquid crystal display (LCD) TVs offering far larger screens with the added advantage of being thinner and lighter than CRTs of a similar display size.
The cost associated with flat panel televisions was a significant barrier to entry for many people wanting to upgrade from their old CRT TV, but over the last eighteen months LCD and Plasma TV prices have come down significantly.
In the beginning of last year a 40’’ Samsung full-HD LCD TV cost around R13,000, but today the same television is available at R8,000. Basically all Plasma and LCD televisions saw price reductions of 20% or more since mid-2009.
According to Samsung South Africa strong competition amoung TV brands is the main reason for the price cuts, and they anticipate prices to fall further over the next twelve months.
Apart from lower prices the ‘default’ size of LCD and Plasma TVs has also increased. While 32’’ flat panel televisions remain popular because of their low price point, 46’’/47’’ LCD TVs and 50’’ Plasma TVs have become more affordable and hence more popular.
The following table provides an overview of some of the latest TV deals from some of the country’s major electronics retailers:
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LCD and Plasma TVs
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| Retailer | Make | Size | Technology | Price |
| Game | Sinotek | 32” | Full HD LCD | R3,499 |
| Makro | Sony | 32” | Full HD LCD | R4,999 |
| Game | Sinotec | 42” | Full HD LCD | R5,999 |
| Makro | LG | 42” | Full HD LCD | R7,799 |
| Makro | Sony | 40” | Full HD LCD | R8,999 |
| Esquire | BenQ | 46” | Full HD LCD | R9,499 |
| Makro | LG | 50” | Plasma | R10,999 |
| Hi-Fi Corporation | Samsung | 50” | Plasma | R10,999 |
| Hi-Fi Corporation | Samsung | 46” | Full HD LCD | R13,999 |
3D LED TVs the next wave
More affordable High Definition LCD and Plasma TVs have spelled the end of CRT and rear-projection televisions, but the next wave of commercial TV technology is already hitting the shelves.
Both Samsung and LG have recently unveiled their 3D LED LCD televisions which are available at outlets like Makro, Game and Dion Wired.
According to Samsung the demand for 3D TV’s has surprised them. “We have seen a very strong demand for 3D televisions … far more than we anticipated,” the company said.
LED LCD and 3D LED LCD televisions are still relatively expensive when compared to their more mature LCD and Plasma counterparts, but like any new technology prices are expected to reduce quickly as the technology matures and take-up increases.
The following table provides an overview of some of the LED LCD and 3D LED LCD TVs from major retailers:
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LCD and Plasma TVs
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| Retailer | Make | Size | Technology | Price |
| Hi-Fi Corporation | Hisense | 42” | Full HD LED LCD | R10,999 |
| Makro | Samsung | 40” | Full HD LED LCD | R14,999 |
| Dion Wired | LG | 47” | Full HD LED LCD | R21,999 |
| Dion Wired | Samsung | 46” | 3D Full HD LCD | R25,999 |
| Dion Wired | Samsung | 40” | 3D Full HD LED LCD | R25,999 |
| Dion Wired | Samsung | 55′ | 3D Full HD LED LCD | R52,999 |
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