TV ownership drops in the US for the first time in 20 years, according to Nielsen-- 96.7% of American households own TV sets, down from 98.9% recorded previously.

Nielsen says there are 2 reasons-- the economic situation and advancing technology.

The "persistently rocky economy" is a reason Nielsen also cited back in 1992, the last time the percentage of homes with TVs declined. Some low-income households cannot afford to replace their analog sets with digital TVs and receivers.

Such households would probably not have any internet access, either.

The other non-TV owning Americans are the internet video viewers, who go without TVs or paying for cable services. Nielsen says these make part of a subset of "younger, urban consumers".

Is this the start of a larger shift towards online viewing, or will it rectify once the economy improves? Not even Nielsen is sure, for now, even if its data shows consumersview more video content across all platforms.

Go Ownership of TV Sets Falls in US (NY Times)

DisplaySearch reports the WW TV market grows by nearly 18% Y-o-Y in 2010, reaching 248m units, even if it expects market growth to hit a sharp decline in 2011-- to less than 4% Y-o-Y.

Flat panel TVs grow by 32% in 2010 on a unit basis, but should decline to 12% in 2011.

DisplaySearch says TV growth slows down in terrritories such as W. Europe, whose flat panel TV installed base reaches over 50-60%. Meanwhile emerging markets are still ripe for sustained growth as they still continue replacing their CRT TVs.

LCD TVs will account for 84% of all TV shipments in 2011, growing by 13% over 2010 to reach 217m units. 50% of LCD TV units shipped this year will carry LED backlights, alongside other performance-oriented features coming in sets of over 40" in size.

Plasma TVs see 30% Y-o-Y in 2010, up from 2009's 1.5%. DisplaySearch says such growth comes from value-conscious consumers, as wel as relatively slow ASP erosion.

Meanwhile 3D TV accounts for 10% of Q4 2010 WW TV revenues-- but should rise to over 50% of revenues and reach 100M units WW by 2014.

Emerging regions (including E. Europe, Middle East and Africa) will have the strongest flat panel TV growth over the next 4 years, which should average to around 17% Y-o-Y growth. In comparison, developed regions will see no growth over the same time period.

Go DisplaySearch Quarterly Advanced Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report

Should customers start replacing their HD displays with a 3DTV? Not according to Just Add Power, whose 3D Manager should turn any HDTV into a 3D-enabled display, by using a single HDMI port.

The technology comes from one of HD-over-IP's original developers, and it combines 3D-VIP's Discover encoder with JAP's Power 2G HDMI-over-IP solution.  The Discover encoder acts as a pass-through device, converting a 3D source (from the full range of 3D broadcast standards) into a 1080p or 720p signal.

Installers are also able to control various functions (frequence, scaling, colour processing, noise reduction, EDID response) since it uses the RS-232 interface.

To deliver 3D video where it's required one needs a Synch Node working with an IR emitter-- although JAP says installers can also use a standard switcher.

To view the 3D effect itself, users need 60/120Hz active shutter 3D glasses working in conjunction with the synch nodes and emitters.

The 3D Manager package includes x1 Encoder, x2 Synch Nodes, x2 IR Emitters and x4 pairs of 3D glasses. The package itself will start shipping in June 2011.

Go 3D Manager

LG announces its latest additions to 3D Smart TV ranges, including what it says are its first flicker free 3D models

Cinema 3D TVs (LW450U, LW550T and LW650T series) use lightweight polarised glasses for a flicker free image with a wide viewingn angle. Each set comes with x7 pairs of glasses and screen sizes range from 32" to 55".

Inputs include x4 HDMI and x2 USB ports, alongside the standard RF, AV, scart and component in.

The TV range carries LG's Smart TV, providing internet connection via either ethernet or wifi USB dongle as well as a dashboard-style user interface.

The sets are compatible with the company's motion remote control, allowing users to simply point, click and control their connected TV experience.

Go LG Cinema 3D

Vogel's Mount & Cover iPad mounting solution goes tablet-universal while getting a new name-- RingO-- now supporting a number of models, including the iPad, iPad 2 and the 7" Galaxy Tab.

The RingO system consists of 2 parts-- a holder, which clips to the tablet (and also acts as a protector) and snaps from the back onto a variety of mounting options.

The mounts can attach to most surfaces, and include a Wall Mount, a Car Mount and a Flexible Mount. To release their device from any mount, users simply need to press the mount itself.

Go Vogel's RingO

Sharp introduces a set of new LED LCD TVs in its Quattron line-- including a 70" model.

The LC-70LE732U is Sharp's biggest LCD yet, with a 70" screen (69.5" diagonal) offering what the company says is a 62% larger viewing area than a 55" screen.

Also introduced are the new 835 (3DTV) and 830 series AQUOS Quattron models, coming in 60", 52", 46" and 40" sizes. All carry Sharp's X-Gen LCD panels and Quattro Quad Pixel technology (which adds a yellow sub pixel to the standard red/blue/green makeup), as well as built-in wifi with access a number of online services.

Connectivity-wise all models come with 4 HDMI inputs, while the 70" model also includes IP control (allowing access to TV functions via PC or tablet through wifi).

Go Sharp