Sony’s 84-inch XBR-84X900 4K TV, which debuted at IFA in Berlin, will be one of the first displays in the new ‘Ultra HD’ category.
TVs may be the biggest opportunity for A/V retailers and residential integrators.
When was the last time you heard that?
In a small open-ended survey of integrators attending the CE Pro 100 and Commercial Integrator summits, 15.8 percent of attendees say TV technology is “the most exciting technology you see on the horizon.”
And 10.5 percent of attendees specifically call out 4K (now called Ultra HD) and 8K. I feel somewhat vindicated after folks bashed me on my latest 4K Ultra HD story.
By contrast, not a single respondent singled out audio, which was once considered the saving grace of the lackluster A/V business; however, 10.5 percent did call out wireless as the next big thing, and an equal number noted streaming content as exciting. Certainly audio factors into that.
Only 4 percent used the term “network” or “networking” in their responses, but 36.8 percent called out technologies that require robust networks, such as HDMI over IP, IP cameras, and streaming media.
Interestingly, the term “cloud” was mentioned by 12.3 percent of respondents for everything from “cloud-based content” to “cloud-based IP control systems” to “cloud-based services.”
Only one person mentioned home health technology, and fewer-than-expected mentioned lighting or energy management.
Wouldn’t it be interesting if new TV technology was the thing that boosted business for the CE industry? No one ever said that about 3D or smart TVs.
Julie
Nice article, also glad you referred back to your 2 week old article that I had not had the opportunity to read. These ‘Yawners’ might have been too young when line doubling, tripleing, then scaling became popular for projection video. I hope there is a bright spot in TV, the so called TV Set. It might save Best Buy and a few of us other Home Theater enthusiasts yet! A good picture is what we are all looking for.
thanks!
Too bad you can’t make money selling TVs anymore like you could with doublers back in the day.
