Sony and Panasonic expanding 3D-enabled TVs line up with LG’s technology.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

Panasonic and Sony have opted to lean a little further on the 3D screen technology of LG Electronics, according to a senior LG executive Sunday. 

In a perpetual battle with rival Samsung Electronics for bigger stakes in the growing global 3D TV market, LG’s film-based 3D technology has shown a clear advantage. It is cheaper than Samsung’s battery-powered option although arguments on technological competitiveness continue. 

LG has racked up success in 3D TV sales in China and North America as well formed tie-ups with many players. 

``Panasonic and Sony are planning to expand the lineup of 3D-enabled TVs this year. The key point is that their upcoming models will use LG’s technology,’’ said Nho Seok-ho, head of LG Electronics’ LCD TV division in an interview.

Nho said on the sidelines of his participation in an in-house event, ``3D TV Festival’’ at Lotte World, an amusement park in Seoul.

``That’s why we are sure to increase sales of 3D TVs this year,’’ said the executive, the right-hand man of LG’s TV chief Kwon Hee-won.

Panasonic and Sony were initially ready to adopt Samsung’s technology but they’ve decided cut costs and improve their bottom lines by using the cheaper version.

``The fact that more 3D TVs from Panasonic and Sony will be equipped with LG technology is significant as Japanese TV makers account for over 30 percent of the global 3D TV demand,’’ Nho said.

Sony rarely mentions that it has been selling 32-inch and 42-inch 3D TV sets with film-patterned 3D technology in China since this year, while Panasonic is relying more on LG for 3D screens for several of its sets.

LG plans to add a 60-inch model to its 3D TV lineup of a 65- and 72-inch set in June to actively respond to consumer demand, according to the executive. 

LG is becoming stronger with Sony deal in film-based 3D TV technology.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

LG is becoming stronger with Sony deal in film-based 3D TV technology.

In a separate meeting, new LG Display CEO and the KDIA Vice Chairman Han Sang-beom confirmed a previous report in The Korea Times that LG has begun shipping its film-based 3D panels for televisions to Sony of Japan.

``Sony has released 32-inch and 42-inch 3D televisions using LG Display’s film-based 3D technology. LG is becoming stronger with Sony,’’ Han said.

Hong Ji-eun, a spokeswoman for Sony Korea, confirmed the comments by the LG Display CEO. Han said his firm’s OLED screens are also receiving more attention from existing customers that possibly include Sony. A Sony spokeswoman declined to confirm this.

Asked about an expansion of its tie-up with Sony, even to OLED screens, Han said; ``I can’t talk about that at this time as we aren’t increasing our output.’’

The Sony deal comes after another Japanese TV company, Panasonic, has started selling 42-inch and 47-inch 3D TVs by also using LG’s 3D technology in the United States.

Sony and Panasonic were critical partners for Samsung as they previously used its battery-powered 3D technology. 

``The shift by the two Japanese TV majors to LG’s 3D technology means that the ongoing war for the standardization of a 3D format is tilting toward LG, rather than Samsung, which took the initial lead by promoting its battery-powered technology,’’ a KDIA executive said.

But Han said it will be difficult for the top-tier LCD firm to see a turnaround in profit in the first quarter.

``Despite market uncertainties, LG won’t sell new shares. We aren’t in such a desperate situation as to be forced to launch any capital-raising campaigns from financial markets,’’ he said.