PRICES OF ULTRA HDTV SETS PLUMMETING

The principal restraints on the adoption of ultra high-definition 4K television sets have been the high prices of new models and lack of available content in 4K. But at least one of those limitations — price — appears about to be overcome. Polaroid announced on Thursday that it will introduce a 4K television set priced at $1,000 at the International Electronics Show in Las Vegas, which takes place Jan. 7-10. The 50-inch set, it said, can display more than 8 million pixels, or about four times the number displayed on a conventional HDTV set. “We are excited to bring consumers a state-of-the-art product at an affordable price point,” said Polaroid CEO Scott Hardy. “Families can share more movie nights together with our new home entertainment options.” Polaroid also said that it will introduce a $500 “smart” HDTV that will include a Roku Streaming Stick. Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal, citing studies by research firm NPD DisplaySearch, reported that shipments of 4K sets will surge to 12.7 million sets this year versus 1.9 million last year with China accounting for 78 percent of the total.