Prices of LCD panels fall through the floor

PEOPLE CONTEMPLATING buying big LCD TVs are headed for a bargain bonanza this year because of rapid price cuts on the panels.

Market research firm iSuppli now reckons 72.5 million LCD TV panels will ship this year, a rise of 42.7 per cent from last year.

The firm said prices of bigger panels "are declining precipitously" with a 32-inch unit dropping by 17 per cent during the first half of this year.

Additional panel capacity will fuel the move with 40-inch and 42-inch WXGA units also dropping price.

Some manufacturers are selling 32-inch panels at prices below the cost of production. µ