Flat Screen Plasma Tv

While mulling through row after row of consumer appliances at this year's International Consumer Electronics Show, I happened to come across what had to be the 50th flat screen digital television I had seen in one day. I was jotting down some notes on the flat screen TV when a casually dressed man and woman came to stand next to the DTV as well. The woman looked at the DTV for a white and remarked,"Flat is certainly in."

Now this might not seem like a grand revelation to anyone in the consumer electronics industry, but it was to these two people, who I was to find out later, weren't in the business. So, these people who came into the show from off the street actually recognized that flat and/or smaller is the way things are going. This may represent the beginnings of a widespread recognition.

Are the consumers finally getting it? Perhaps this is too small of an indication. But at least some are getting it.

The consumer electronics industry is making a profound effort to shrink things. Flat screen plasma displays and flat screen digital televisions littered the show floor at CES.

While these TVs still are very expensive and probably will remain so for some time, the appeal of hanging a digital television on a wall at home is very inviting to consumers. DTV may be the most important consumer appliance emerging today, but other appliances are making waves in the market as well.

Digital camcorders are now palm- sized. Digital cameras are getting small enough to stick in the front pocket of a polo shirt. GPS navigation systems are small enough now to hide in a glove box or to carry around in a small tote bag.

What does all this mean? Consumer appliances are becoming far easier to carry, to use and to integrate into everyday life. Because of this, once the right price point is achieved, most consumers will be willing to take a chance and buy a digital camcorder, a flat screen DTV or a digital camera.

Peter Brown is Senior Editor for consumer electronics for Electronic News. Please write to him at pbrown@cahners.com.

COPYRIGHT 1999 Cahners Publishing Company
COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group

Get Skiing &Snowboarding Packages. - Sponsored Link
Ad - View Package Specials &Book Now!