Big TV mantra gets louder by the day

Dubai: The world's TV manufacturers seem intent on outdoing each in the screen inch stakes. Korean firms Samsung and LG are displaying their colossal 102 inch plasma screen models at Dubai's Gitex exhibition, but have been pipped by just an inch by Japanese rivals Panasonic.

Although many consider their efforts merely a case of corporate showmanship, Panasonic officials insist there is a market for a Dh250,000 full definition plasma TV which weighs 350kg and requires substantial available wall space.

Pre-sale orders

Atsushi Hionki, general manager of the communications department at Panasonic Marketing Middle East, said the model will officially go on sale in the Middle East after Gitex and reported 140 pre-sale orders in the GCC alone.

"After Europe we are expecting our best sales for the 103 inch model in the Middle East," he said.

"The majority of orders have come from companies, but we are also targeting individual consumers. We have already received orders from UAE rules, members of Saudi Arabia's royal family and numerous wealthy businessmen."

Five years ago, the thought of a plasma screen with a diagonal more than 100 inches would have seemed impossible. But Hionki said advances in plasma screen technology will allow manufacturers to build screens almost twice as big as current models.

"I don't think anyone can predict how much bigger they will get, but in three years from now I wouldn't be surprised to see plasma sets at 150 to 200 inches, Greater networking features and an increasing size of plasmas as LCDs dominate the small screens."