Sony bows out of CRTs, focuses on LCD screens

Sony today announced it will no longer import CRT computer screens into Australia, instead focusing its efforts on the more lucrative and rapidly growing LCD market.

This move comes after Sony decided earlier this year to cease production of 17in and 19in CRTs, but at that time it was still to produce 21in screens. As a result of today's announcement, all CRTs, including 21in screens, will no longer be brought into Australia. The existing stock of Sony CRT monitors, including the latest 21in CPDG520, will be the last ones sold in Australia.

Sony will, however, continue production of CRT-based televisions, as well as professional level and high-resolution CRT screens.

The LCD display market grew rapidly over 2002 and 2003, while during that same period the CRT market shrunk. GfK, independent researchers, reported that the volume of LCDs sold during this period grew by 183 percent, although the overall volume was still lower than that of CRTs. By comparison, GfK's figures showed CRT sales decreased by 11 percent. Additionally, the corporate space has seen the biggest migration from CRTs compared to the consumer space.

Analysts at IDC indicated that third party branded LCD screens also outsold CRTs by volume for the first time in history in Australia in Q3 last year.