By Kim Yoo-chul
Staff Reporter
The annual high-tech consumer products show in Las Vegas will kick off Wednesday.
Show organizers say "mobility" and "connectivity" will be the two keywords for this year's International Consumer Electronics Show (ICES).
Under such perceptions, exhibitors are ready to showcase their new products, which will focus on mobile devices, and will lay foundations on how consumers stay connected, while staying mobile.
Analysts, however, say TV screens with improved 3D capabilities will be "hot items" at the industry's largest fair, while the LED-backlit LCD TVs will also be something to watch out for amid growing calls for eco-friendly products.
Samsung is banking on its LED-backlit LCDs to take the lead in the market, while LG Electronics has joined the ranks of Japanese TV makers to bet on 3D TVs as its next cash cow.
The industry leader Samsung Electronics seems highly positive that it will effectively defy attacks from the "3D Camp," representatives said.
"Samsung's strategy for this year's ICES is to exhibit tech- and feature-improved LED-backlit LCD TVs for further its leadership in the segment," Yoon Boo-keun, president of Samsung’s visual display division, said.
"Samsung plans to lead the industry in 2010, with LED-backlit LCD TVs. Rather than exhibiting striking products, we are set to strengthen our current line-up," the top company executive said.
Pivotal Year for 3D TVs
Inspired by an influx of 3D movies released in 2009, Japanese TV makers ― who have a competitive edge in content ― are heavily betting on 3D televisions to recapture their past glory as TV titans.
Since last year, 3D has been receiving a major plug, with manufacturers hoping to entice attendees with 3D TVs and Blu-ray players plus new glasses with which people can watch movies and play videogames.
The success of "Avatar" and a number of other 3D movies at the box office throughout the year should help put the spotlight on the new technology, experts say.
"The 3D TV market is set to explode in 2010. We predict 3D high-definition (HD) TVs will be on display everywhere at this year's ICES," a representative of Sony told The Korea Times, Monday, asking not to be identified.
"This year is poised to be a pivotal year for 3D-related industries," he said, adding Hollywood and other hardware manufacturers are working to bring new 3D display technologies to market.
The world's No. 3 TV maker Sony, which hopes to sweep this year's ICES with detailed 3D-related strategies, aims for some $11.2 billion in sales of 3D-related products by the end of March 2013.
LG Electronics, the runner-up to Samsung in TVs, is ready to show off its 42-, 47-, 55-, 60- and 72-inch borderless-branded 3D TV models. It has also been set to exhibit a 150-inch 3D projector, LG officials say.
LG, which has initially failed to ride on the LED TV frenzy due to fewer models, is aiming to become the world's biggest maker of 3D TVs in 2011 by selling 3.4 million, a company spokesman said.
"As far as I know, Sony is set to release a new 3D-related strategy, while LG Electronics is to team up with a 3D content developer in Hollywood studios," a high-ranking industry source said.
The market for 3D TVs is steadily rising. DisplayBank expects the global market to rise to $15.8 billion by 2015.
But limited content and technology-related matters are still seen as the biggest challenges facing the "3D Camp."
The 3D effect is achieved by the eyes interpreting two merged images as one. Blurring is sharpened by wearing 3D glasses but if they are not working properly, they could strain the eyes.
Still With LED-Backlit LCD TVs
Samsung Electronics is taking a different route with its LED-backlit LCD TVs.
Besides Samsung, Vizio of the United States and some Chinese leading TV manufacturers are also ready to display their LED-backlit models.
"Samsung's strategy for the coming ICES is to set up the following formula ― LED TVs are Samsung. We will exhibit more ubiquitous-featured smaller gadgets and business-to-business (B2B) products for corporate clients, such as printers," a Samsung Electronics representative said.
"LED TVs will take an expansionary track this year. The demand for such TVs will soar as more general consumers are expected to buy one as their second TV," he added.
Samsung, which sold 2.6 million LED-backlit LCD TVs last year, is targeting 10 million this year. In 2009, Samsung launched such sets globally, promoting them as a new TV "species."
The spokesman reiterated that the electronics company will continue to cement its dominant position in the global LCD TV market amid intensifying rivalry in a fast growing segment.
"Samsung plans to make an aggressive move to help its LED TV lineups make up more than half of its total TV models this year,'' according to the official.
"Samsung, which last year released three series of LED TVs ranging from 32 to 55 inches, will launch eight new products between 19 and 65 inches this year," the spokesman added, saying the move will accelerate the industry shift to more advanced technology as the LED-backlit LCD TVs are set to become the mainstream in the flat-screen TV industry.
ICES is marked on most technology-minded people's calendar because it welcomes numerous high-profile technology companies and is the launch pad for many groundbreaking new gadgets and high-tech products.
More than 330 new companies are expected to be among the 2,500 exhibitors showcasing their gadgets at the show amid increased signs of an economic recovery, a show organizer said.
yckim@koreatimes.co.kr
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