AV Technology - May 2008 - (Page 10)

precedent may 2008 | headlines Survey Reveals Pent-Up Demand 9% 14% Preferred Screen LCD Size Business LCD Purchasers Consumer LCD Purchasers 3% 8% 13% 11% 28% 2% 30% 20% 16% 24% 21% T FC Info recently completed a flat panel end-user survey that analyzes perceptions and preferences for LCD and plasma displays. TFC Info found that price is not as significant as many believe and that there are other major factors driving LCD dominance currently. The Odessa, FL-based AV market research firm discovered that customer perceptions are major factors in determining whether to purchase LCD or plasma displays. Interestingly, some of these perceptions are outdated and pertain to issues that have already been addressed by manufacturers, but manufacturers have not yet been able to change customer perceptions. “These issues are different between professional and consumer buyers,” says Tanya Lippke, TFC Info manager of Survey Market Research. “That is why it was so important that we looked at and dissected both current and future purchasers of flat panel displays for professional and consumer market segments. This allowed us to analyze some complex angles that will help our customers to address these problems.” Lippke says that the 42-inch LCD is now pricing competitively. “We are seeing pent-up demand for the 42-inch,” she says. “This is partly due to the fact that this was the primary size people were buying in plasma displays. We are also seeing a huge desire for full HD 1080 resolution. The demand is clear, however, there is a disconnect between what people are buying and what people want to buy. TFC Info sees a coming increase in the marketshare of 42-inch LCD displays.” TFC Info’s new report, titled “Flat Panel End User Survey: LCD vs. Plasma 2008,” also reveals a high consensus of demand for certain features only now becoming available. This is especially important as some manufacturers are experimenting with different features such as thinner panels, networking, the ability for wireless connectivity, and other various features to try to gain more customer interest for their displays. FLAT PANEL HDTVS MOVING INTO MEETING ROOMS Pacific Media Associates, a global market information analyst firm based in Menlo Park, CA, says businesses are adding flat panel HDTVs to their meeting rooms. Their “2007 End User Survey: Professional Flat Panel Displays” also indicates that a majority of businesses are buying consumer models from consumer retail outlets for these displays. “On average, survey respondents reported that 50 percent of their meeting rooms are currently equipped with flat panel displays,” according to Dr. William Coggshall, founder and president of the firm. “When asked about their plans for 2008, the average result is that 62 percent of all meeting rooms will have flat panels by the end of this year.” The survey results also indicate that businesses are not relying just on professionalgrade products for these applications. Survey respondents indicated that 43 percent of the installed large flat panel displays are consumer models, compared with only 39 percent reported as professional models. In terms of intended purchases, respondents expect to acquire consumer models in 51 percent of the cases, with just 32 percent choosing professional grade models; 17 percent did not know which they would get. The preference for consumer models also was indicated by where they intend to purchase new large flat panel products for their companies. The respondents named Best Buy, Circuit City, and Wal-Mart as the top three choices by a wide margin over other retailers. The survey results indicated that more than 43 percent of the respondents planned to buy at one of these three retailers. 10 | AV TECHNOLOGY | may 2008 www.avtechnologyonline.com Source: TFC Info 3% http://www.avtechnologyonline.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of AV Technology - May 2008

AV Technology - May 2008 Contents Precedent Corporate: How to Qualify an AV Supplier Education: Working Smarter AV Technology's Guide to Networked AV Government: IPv6 — Why You Should Care Calculating ROI on Your Digital Signage Investment Enhancing Audio in the Classroom Minimizing Equipment Theft Smart AV The Tribe Has Spoken AV Enables Interactive Research AV Image Enhancement Product Spotlight Tech Horizons Product Review New Products AV MO

AV Technology - May 2008

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