3D TVs have
become more familiar to Vietnamese consumers for the last several years.
However, analysts have every reason to believe that 2011 would be the year of
3D TVs, especially after a series of ceremonies to launch 3D TVs onto the
market took place in April.

New technologies bring new products

TCL is
considered one of the electronics manufacturers which displayed 3D LCD TV at
home appliance centers in Hanoi and HCM City
last year, initiating a new tendency on the audio-video product market.

In late
April 2011, LG Electronics marketed Cinema 3D series, while announcing that it
has got the “Flicker free” international certificate from two European
inspection institutions–Intertek and TÜV, which can help viewers from
eyestrain and dizziness. The series of products use 3D FPR (Film Patterned
Retarder) which can bring clear, bright images and wider viewing angle like the
technology used in the 3D movies presented at cinemas. The polarizer used for
the TVs is like the 3D glasses used at cinemas, but it is lighter.

With the
next generation Cinema 3D, LG is striving to lead the Vietnamese market. Ko Tae
Yeon, General Director of LG Vietnam, said that the growth rate in the 3D TV
market share since 2009 has exceeded the initial expectations, while the
company hopes to obtain the growth rate of 50 percent in 2011.

Aiming at
Internet applications, the 42-60 inch TV series manufactured by LG this year,
all have small keyboards (like the one of iPhone), which allow users to type
the addresses to access. The addresses of some websites or music forums are
provided already, so that users can easily access digital content services.

Prior to
LG, Samsung also introduced the series of 3D TVs which allow users to surf on
Internet in order to search and update data on social networks, or chat with
webcams.

In the
series of products, 3D auto contrast feature can help upgrade the quality of
images, while 3D converter allows converting 2D content into 3D with more
detailed and natural images, and the depth rendering technology can help make
sounds deeper and broader.

Sony has
also released information about the launching into the Vietnamese market; the
TV series Sony Bravia with integrated 3D technology and Internet access.
Introduced as the TV series with high quality images thanks to shutter
technology, BraviaTM 3D series will have many models which a wide range of
prices. Sony is also the first electronics manufacturer which marketed 32 inch
3D TV.

The market needs a driving force

Market
analysts say that electronics manufacturers see Vietnam
as a potential market for 3D TVs in South East Asia.
However, the sales in Vietnam
of the manufacturers proved to be unsatisfactory last year, even though
Vietnamese consumers have shown their interests in the products with the
advanced technologies.

The problem
is that people only came to distribution centers to do “window shopping”, while
they still did not think of owning the expensive products. The sale price of 3D
TVs proves to be too high if compared with the average income of consumers. 3D
LCD TVs, for example, are priced at over 30 million dong, while Plasma 3D TVs
are sold at over 40 million dong.

Besides,
Vietnamese consumers are still hesitant to purchase 3D TVs because of the
health problem. A survey has found out that middle aged viewers feel eyestrain
when watching 3D TVs. Meanwhile, many say they feel headaches when using the
glasses they purchase on the market. Manufacturers have to advise people to use
standardized 3D glasses.

Previously,
manufacturers mostly used shutter glasses in order to create 3D effects. The
technology requires the electricity charge glasses, while the prices of the
glasses are really high at some hundreds of dollars.

Source: TBVTSG