San Antonio — Flat-panel TV makers DoubleSight and Astar are readying a series of LCD and plasma models for shipment this spring and summer, the companies reported at the RetailVision show held here in early April.
South Korea-based DoubleSight, which is changing its name and brand over to that of its parent Erae Electronics, will ship an LCD line that will include 32-, 40- and 46-inch units, and plasma models of 42 and 50 inches. All will start shipping in July, said Tim Drexler, the company’s sales VP.
Drexler said pricing has not been fixed, but he expects it to be similar to what is now offered by other second-tier manufacturers. The company did not announce any retail partners.
Astar’s upcoming release is more extensive, with five LCDs models shipping by the end of May. In addition, the company will release two portable DVD players this month.
The TVs will be available in 20-, 27-, 32-, 37- and 40-inch screen sizes with respective prices of $429, $899, $1,099, $1,599 and $1,999, said Sid Pickup, Astar’s marketing manager.
Astar initial entry into the U.S. market came last year with a single higher end aluminum chassis LCD TV, Pickup said, which appeared, via distribution, in several regional chains and online retailers such as Target.com. Astar has also supplied flat-panel TVs into the market through various OEM and private-label deals.
The two portable DVD players are based around a 7W-inch display and come with a free travel bag. The leader product will carry a $129 suggested retail price, while the step-up model, which includes a built in analog TV tuner and removable antenna, will cost $159, Pickup said.
