Monday, Jun 10, 2013
Dubai: Prices for Ultra HD televisions, also known as 4K TVs, have until recently been beyond the reach of the average man, but prices are beginning to fall for this next generation technology.
Sony is now selling a 65-inch model for Dh29,999 and 55-inch model for Dh19,999. When Sony launched an 84-inch model last year, it was priced at Dh99,999. LG launched it at Dh79,999 at the same time, and Samsung launched at Dh150,000 in April.
“In the Middle East, Sony sold the largest number of 4K TVs in the world outside of Japan. The UAE was one of the key contributors to the record sales,” said Hiroyasu Sugiyama, managing director of Sony Middle East and Africa, said on the sideline of a press conference after launching the 55-inch and 65-inch models.
“When Sony launched its 84-inch at Dh100,000, many asked me how people will buy it for such a high price. But we have seen good demand and have sold 50 units in the UAE,” Vishesh Bhatia, CEO of Jumbo Electronics, told Gulf News.
He said Jumbo will be selling the models on June 20 with introductory bundled offers.
Sugiyama told Gulf News that Sony is expected to sell around 500 units of 84-inch 4K TVs in the Middle East and Africa region by summer and also exceed 1,000 units by end of the year.
Affordably priced
“With the new models priced affordably, we expect to sell more than 5,000 units by end of the year,” Sugiyama said.
When asked whether the 4K technology is here to stay or it’s just a fad like 3D, he said that it was here to stay. “4K technology is nothing new; Sony has been shooting movies in 4K and has been selling 4K projectors and 4K cameras for a long time.”
Sony Pictures has already shot more than 30 movies in 4K technology and the Japanese giant has been remastering its old movies into 4K.
More than half of the latest movie — After Earth — was shot in 4K.
Vinod Nair, general manager of audio visual sales at Samsung Electronics, said that there is a huge demand for 4K TVs in the region. “Our first lot is completely sold out and the second lot is completely booked.”
Niche product
“It is a niche product and not addressed to the mass market. The advantage of Samsung TV is that it has an evolution kit, which is a card and can be replaced in the future without changing the TV,” Nair said.
“The three companies — LG, Sony and Samsung — are driving the demand for 4K TVs. Our sales have exceeded expectations. We will be launching the 55-inch and 65-inch models in the UAE in the second half,” said D.Y. Kim, president of LG Gulf.
The biggest issue with any new technology is the content. But Sony is not unduly worried about this.
Sugiyama said that the new 4K Bravia TV incorporates the X-Reality Pro chip which can upgrade the current 2K content like Blu-Ray or DVD into 4K with ease. “Like 3D technology, a customer will not suffer from lack of 4K content,” Sugiyama said.
He said Sony has plans to launch 4K player and discs but the roadmap is not out.
By Naushad K. ?Cherrayil Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
