Sony will launch 55-inch XBR-55X900A and 65-inch XBR-65X900A4K Ultra HD LCD TVs in late April at retail prices of US$4,999.99 and US$6,999.99, respectively, DigiTimes reported.
The TVs will come equipped with panels produced by Taiwan-based AU Optronics (AUO), Taiwan-based supply chain sources said. The high prices for the TV sets are largely due to the panel costs, which are about twice as much as Full HD TV panels, but may drop to about 1.3-1.5 times as much by the end of 2013, the sources added.
AUO has also increased its monthly Ultra HD TV panel production capacity to 200,000-300,000 units with capacity utilization exceeding 90% and has obtained orders for Ultra HD TV panels from Samsung Electronics and Philips in addition to existing customers Sony and Toshiba, noted the sources.
