Average street price of flat-panel displays drops 3 percent in February

Unit sales for flat-panel televisions and business displays in North America fell 14 percent in February, according to data from Pacific Media Associates.

The global large-screen display market researcher's Consumer Flat Panel Display Sell-Through Tracking Service indicated that this seasonal decline matches the trend set last year in January and February 2006.

The average street price for the month dropped another 3 percent to just more than $2000, which is down 29 percent for the year since February 2006. According to Pacific Media VP Rosemary Abowd, the largest street price decline occurred in the 40in to 44in XGA resolution plasma segment. It fell more than 15 percent to $1524.

In February, Sony made 25.6 percent of units sold, and more than one out of every three dollars spent on flat-panel HDTVs — 34.3 percent — went for Sony products. Panasonic was in second place with 17.8 percent unit share and 18.4 percent revenue share. The best-selling consumer model was the 50in Panasonic TH-50PX600U, with 5.4 percent unit share.

For more information, visit www.pacificmediaassociates.com.