Economic Downturn, Higher Prices Roil U.S. A/V Market

摘要

An economic slowdown and price hikes have combined to unsettle the audio-video (A/V) market in the United States. The economic slowdown in the United States comes in the wake of the subprime loan crisis. The price hikes stem mainly from rising crude oil prices. Although the market for digital A/V products, centering on flat-panel TVs, has been expanding steadily, market conditions are becoming increasingly uncertain as consumers are becoming more sensitive to prices, the business environment for retailers deteriorates, and distribution patterns change. This section takes a look at the current state of the wavering U.S. A/V market and the response from Japanese manufacturers. The U.S. digital A/V market has been growing at a healthy pace. Flat-panel TVs continue to penetrate the market and, with the termination of analog broadcasting slated for February 17, 2009, demand for flat-panel TVs is sure to continue to grow.