Sharp predicts LCD will oust plasma

Sharp Corp has predicted that full high-definition LCD (liquid-crystal display) TVs will take hold of the majority of the US market, leaving no room for plasma TVs. LCD technology is already dominant in Japan.

The company expects the price of large screen LCDs to fall by around 25% in 2007 due to increased competition, with the price of smaller screens bottoming out.

Sharp, Samsung and LG.Philips have all recorded increased profits in the LCD market with LCD outpacing plasma by five to one this year.

LCD TV shipments are expected to grow 76 percent to 74 million units in 2007 according to Brothers Holdings Inc. while shipments of plasma TV sets are expected to grow 30 percent to just 13 million units.