Report: Prices for giant 3D & flat-panel TVs contract

New research from analysis group IHS iSuppli confirmed an overall price decrease for mammoth 3D-TVs and flat-panel LCD and plasma HDTVs in August. If you were considering a mad rush to the local consumer electronics shop with credit card in hand, think again. The dip was microscopic.

Flat-screen TVs saw just a $5 drop in price last month, bringing the average cost to $1,145. Models 50-inches and larger shed two percentage points. TVs in the 30-to-39 inch and 40-to-49 inch categories were down 1 percent and 3 percent, respectively.

The paltry figures weren’t noteworthy so much as the fact prices dropped at all, explained IHS.

The last time TV price tags declined was March. The month-over-month loss was more noticeable than the new one, with nearly $22 shaved. After that low point, prices gradually rose. They topped January’s previous high in July.

Riddhi Patel, director for television systems and retail services at IHS, singled out large-screened TVs as deserving of consumer apathy.

“Larger-sized televisions have been hard to sell given the slow economy and the absence in general of a big-enough price decline to motivate consumers to buy,” said Patel.

Ironically, smaller sets saw a price hike. IHS speculated that increased demand was thanks to eager consumers looking for an extra TV (or two) for secondary rooms.

3D-TVs saw across the board, though similarly negligible price drops. Consumers in the market could probably find a 30-to-39-inch model for under $1,000 now. (via Home Media Magazine)