Pioneer to make 46-inch LCD TVs, draw on Sharp

Pioneer is likely to release mid-size LCD TVs, the company said late yesterday when discussing its latest financial results. Breaking with its tradition of selling plasma TVs almost exclusively, the Japanese electronics maker says it will start offering LCDs larger than 40 inches starting from August. This will most likely include a 46-inch set, the company adds. Sharp is producing the actual display panels while Pioneer handles much of the design.

The use of more advanced image processors will separate the Pioneer sets from regular LCD TVs, according to the company, which also expects at least some Sharp AQUOS sets to share the design.

The shift in strategy is part of a wider, more drastic attempt to recover Pioneer's ailing TV business, which contributed to a $146 million loss and has led to the company quitting plasma manufacturing of its own in favor of outsourcing the work and focusing on design. Plasma sets have suffered in the TV market lately as large LCDs drop in cost and edge closer to plasma in image quality.

Filed under: industry, digital imaging
Other story tags: Sharp, Pioneer, AQUOS, KURO