14 DAY TRIAL // It so happens that DRAM products aren't the only ones suffering from oversupply, as DisplaySearch discovered that 3D LCD TVs are in a similar bind, though perhaps not as tight.
3D LCD HDTVs may have been among the candidates for the most convenient holiday purchases, if they'd been closer to the mainstream and a lot cheaper.
As it is, though, there really wasn't much challenging random access memory on that front.
Still, if anything, 3D TVs have been getting a bit more affordable, for much the same reason why DDR3 is so incredibly cheap right now.
Though not as serious (though perhaps it is only a matter of time), oversupply is what vendors of 3D LCD TVs are faced with, though it might tone down instead of spiraling out of control.
Regular LCD TV panel shipments refused to increase in volume over the course of the third quarter of 2011.
Meanwhile, 3D TVs actually increased in shipments by 27% (6.6 million) compared to Q2, because prices really did fall all around.
DisplaySearch now believes that a total of 21.5 million 3D LCD TVs will be shipped by the end of the year, leaving them with 10% of the total market.
“The TFT LCD industry has been in oversupply for six consecutive quarters, which has influenced the price premium for 3D panels,” noted David Hsieh, vice president, Greater China Market for NPD DisplaySearch.
“While there are still many questions about the lack of 3D content and services, as well as end-users’ needs, LCD TV panel makers have been strongly promoting 3D through lower prices and the introduction of new, cost-effective technologies.”
The holidays will provide a sort of ripe opportunity for more sales of such things.
That said, with items like the VIZIO M-Series Theater 3D TVs out and about (they have cheaper and lighter glasses), sales could rise further. Stay tuned for more news on 3D products as they show up.