CES 2015 TVs predictions
The Consumer Electronics Show is the premiere electronics expo where the year's products are displayed for the first time. The biggest such products are usually TVs. Here are my predictions for what TV trends and announcements we'll see at the show.
Ah CES, the most exciting event in consumer electronics. I've written so many snarky articles about CES that I'm out of snark. Snarkless. Sans snark. Bereft of snark. This isn't to say I've given in and joined the fanboys, just that...I don't know, it's a thing that happens, you know?
All that aside, I do actually think this year will have some fascinating reveals and surprises. Katzmaier has already said his piece, so here are my predictions.
What I think we'll see at CES
1. LCD gets even better.
As sad as the death of plasma is, and the worry that LCD picture quality would continue to stagnate, 2014 was actually filled with LCD surprises. From the fantastic value of the Vizio E-series , to the prevalence of local dimming, this was, I begrudgingly admit, the year of the LCD. The King is dead, long live the King.
I expect this trend to continue. More local dimming models, more models that feature High Dynamic Range, Black Frame Insertion, and maybe even some new technologies (see below).
Oh, and 4K will get even cheaper, "="" wants"="" shortcode="link" asset-type="article" uuid="821b6e2a-8c86-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d" slug="why-ultra-hd-4k-tvs-are-still-stupid" link-text="because that's what " section="news" title="Why Ultra HD 4K TVs are still stupid" edition="us" data-key="link_bulk_key" api="{"id":"821b6e2a-8c86-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d","slug":"why-ultra-hd-4k-tvs-are-still-stupid","contentType":null,"edition":"us","topic":{"slug":"home-entertainment"},"metaData":{"typeTitle":null,"hubTopicPathString":"Tech^Home Entertainment","reviewType":null},"section":"reviews"}"> .
2. Samsung reduces their TV offerings to 1 billion models across 100 million series.
For 2014 Samsung had so many different series and models, I don't think there's anyone on Earth who knew them all without looking at a spreadsheet.
Following the mobile division's lead, I bet they'll pair this back to something a little more reasonable. Maybe only 300 models between $990 and $1,000? I mean, this is in addition to the loss of plasma (*sniff*).
3. A major TV manufacturer will bail.
There's never been much margin in TVs, and with how quickly 4K has dropped in price, there doesn't seem like there will be any time soon. We've already seen many big names leave the TV business, or sell their names to an OEM. I bet we'll see something along those lines.
4. Several major TV manufactures will concede the low-end.
The big TV companies just aren't built to sell $300 50-inch TVs, and that's where we're headed. I bet we see several big names pull out of the low-end altogether. This probably isn't a big deal, as their new "low-end" will be what we call "mid-range" today. Since there were some great inexpensive TVs this year , those looking for inexpensive TVs will likely be served well.
What I'd like to see
Ok, those are what I think we'll see. These are what I hope we'll see.
1. More OLED makers
Dammit where's my OLED! LG has been going gangbusters, with a brilliant $3,500 55-inch , and even a flock of 4K models. I'm sure we'll see more from them, but... where's everyone else? I bet we won't see any OLED from Samsung (see QD below).
What would be cool is a manufacturer, or manufacturers, buying panels from LG. These may be stripped down models, but that might be cool too (and not to mention cheaper). The more panels LG can sell, the cheaper they'll become. Still worries me they're the only ones pushing the tech, though.
2. Quantum dots
Quantum dots are cool. LG has already announced a quantum dots-equipped TV for CES, and I've been hearing rumors about Samsung doing the same. LG uses them to modify the backlight material (which I wrote about before), but what I'd really like to see is full-on direct-view quantum dot display. Now that would be cool. OLED who?
3. Lasers
No, seriously. Lasers. That's all I'm going to say.
Check back starting the first weekend in January forCNETs CES coverage, and follow Geoff on Twitter@TechWriterGeoff for the return of his snark as he ignores/sleeps/tweets his way through press conferences.