LCD TV Center

Sharp was one of the early major players in the LCD TV market - probably the earliest. Its Aquos brand is definitely one of the best known in the LCD TV world.

Exact market share figures are hard to come by. The general consensus right now is that in terms of 2005 shipment volume Sharp was slightly ahead of Philips, and then Samsung and Sony came next.

However, Samsung and Sony are selling more LCD TVs in the larger sizes so their shipment value is much closer to Sharp and Philips.

Sharp now manufacture LCD TVs in a number of locations - Japan, China and Johor (Kuala Lumpur). Sharp will also begin production of LCD screens at its Kameyama, Japan, plant shortly and will begin manufacture at its LCD module plant in Poland in January 2007.

Sony registered a sales growth spurt in the last 6-9 months and some market research indicates they overtook Sharp in shipment volume in the last quarter of 2005 or the first quarter of 2006.

This is due to a massive advertising campaign for their Bravia LCD TVs accompanied by much more competitive pricing.

LCD TV sales growth is also being helped by the introduction of digital broadcasting around the world. The high definition format is well supported by LCD TVs and gives much better pictures than traditional analogue broadcasts.

Overall the LCD TV market is growing very fast - shipments worldwide were up 135% compared with the same time last year.

Get the latest on Sharp LCD TV at www.lcdtvcenter.com

Here is Samsung’s latest line up of LCD TVs in the 46 to 26 inch size range.

The differences are:
- some TVs are HDTV (High Def) ready, some not
- some are stand alone TVs, which means they have an inbuilt tuner
- some are only monitors, which means you need a separate tuner, set top box or TV signal source

LN-R408D

40 inch Wide HDTV with ATSC/Digital Cable Ready (DCR) Tuner

LN-R469D

46 inch Wide with ATSC/Digital Cable Ready (DCR) Tuner

LN-R409D

40 inch Wide with ATSC/Digital Cable Ready (DCR) Tuner

LN-R3228W

32 inch Wide HDTV Monitor with PC/DVD/TV Inputs

LN-R328W

32 inch Wide HDTV Monitor

LN-R268W

26 inch Wide HDTV Monitor

LN-R2668W

26 inch Wide HDTV Monitor with PC/DVD/TV Inputs

As always we recommend you actually watch and listen to an LCD TV before you buy, because there are significant differences between manufacturers and models.

Reviews of Samsung LCD TV products have marked their move upmarket in the last 1 to 2 years. Some of their models can now be categorised as High End.

Samsung TV products used to be positioned in the budget price bracket. but they are now often sold at a similar price point to Sony, Sharp and Panasonic TVs.

Samsung LCD TVs generally offer comparable performance and sometimes better features.

For more LCD TV buyers information visit www.lcdtvcenter.com.