Go Get One, Plasma TV Gets Cheaper

It was not long ago that is last year when the entry level prices of the most wannabe and mean cutting edge display panels yes, no prizes for guessing it right i am talking about Plasma Tv the ultimate dream of every gizmo freak hovered around 2.4 lakhs and left wannabe customers like me rubbing there hands. But wow! prices have crashed by 30-40%, and in some cases, even breached the Rs 1-lakh barrier. The drop, in line with global trends, is due to declining prices of flat plasma panels, manufacturers ramping up production and investing in technology upgrades, cost competitiveness, and consumers preferring flat panels over bulky cathode-ray tube models.

Since most TV manufacturers in India import plasma panels, the trend is being reflected here as well. Companies such as Sony, LG Electronics and Haier are now selling entry-level 42- inch plasma TVs at Rs 1.7 lakh against an average of Rs 2.5 lakh last year. Samsung and Philips have priced their entry-level plasma TVs at just under Rs 2 lakh. Further, price warriors like Videocon have even breached the Rs 1-lakh barrier. Videocon, for example, has rolled out locally-assembled 42-inch plasmas at Rs 90,000, that's about Rs 50,000 cheaper over last year.

Though Videocon's competitors have raised questions about the quality of its plasma panels, consumers are flocking to buy the brand in any case. Sony's GM Mohit Parasher does not rule out further dropping of prices, though he says the fall will not be as dramatic. “We are now working on newer plasma panels; these will be rolled out in the market shortly," he says. LG's Prasanna Raghavan says plasma TV prices first dropped below the Rs 2-lakh mark in October last year.

“But prices have more or less stabilized now, it is a reflection of what is happening globally," he says. According to analysts, globally, plasma panel prices will see a further drop of just 5-6% in the forthcoming quarters. However, according to RT Rajan, V-P, Haier, the forthcoming festive season could see companies undercutting prices to even Rs 1.4 lakh.

“Next year, more players could enter the sub-Rs 1 lakh range," says Rajan. In India marketers predict 100% growth in this category and companies have charted ambitious sales targets. Says R. Zutshi, Samsung's deputy MD, “We expect value contribution of high-end CTVs to grow to 10% this year, from 4% last year."

Come Diwali and expect some more discounts on these Plasma Tv and upgrade your living rooms to trendy theaters bidding adieu to long lines at the box office.