LCDs edge out CRTs globally

Sales of liquid crystal display (LCD) televisions have outperformed those of cathode-ray tubes (CRT) globally for the first time, it has been reported.

According to TG Daily, market research firm Displaysearch has estimated that of the global TV market - which hit 60.8 million units in the last quarter of 2007 - LCD screens now account for 47 per cent.

That compares to a 46 per cent share for CRT screens, while rear projection (RPTV) sets and plasma display panels (PDP) take the remaining 7 per cent.

The research indicated that most LCD units were shipped in Western Europe, accounting for 32 per cent, followed by North America in 31 per cent.

The LCD screen share of the 40 inch-plus size market increased to 65 per cent, while the average screen size of units sold rose above 32 inches for the first time.

1080p-capable TVs now account for 17 per cent of sets overall, and 57 per cent of the over 40 inch market.

The rise of high definition sets is good news for both Sony and Microsoft, who both use high definition entertainment as a selling point for their consoles.

Microsoft's Robin Burrowes, marketing manager for Xbox Live in the UK, yesterday told GamesIndustry.biz that the majority of Video Store content downloaded skewed in favour of HD, and that at least 60 per cent of its users must have HDTVs.