China TV Vendors Eyeing 3D TV Market

China-based TV vendors including Skyworth, Konka, TCL and Hisense are eyeing the 3D TV market, with Skyworth leading the way by introducing its 3D LED-backlit TVs to target the upcoming Labor Day holiday sales in May, according to market sources.

Skyworth has launched a 3D LED-backlit LCD TV series with sizes ranging from 42- to 55-inch, and the prices are about 20-30% more expensive than same-size 2D models, the sources said. For the 2D segment, Skyworth's 42-inch CCFL-backlit LCD TVs sell for about 4,999-8,999 yuan (US$731.85-1,317.5), and its 42-inch LED-backlit sets are priced at 8,999 yuan.

Changhong has also launched a 55-inch 3D LED-backlit TV, and plans to introduce 3D PDP TVs and 3D CCFL-backlit LCD TVs in the future, the sources noted.

Hisense will also launch 46-, 47- and 55-inch 3D LCD TV models coming with a pair of free shutter glasses, and the price for its 55-inch model will be lower than 20,000 yuan, the sources added.

Prices of 3D TVs in the China market will range from 10,000-30,000 yuan, plus 800-1,000 yuan for 3D glasses, the sources said.

By Siu Han and Yvonne Yu, DigiTimes