LG Electronics rolls out supersize 3-D TV

LG Electronics Inc., the world's second-largest TV maker, said Monday that it has released a 72-inch 3-D TV in South Korea for consumers seeking ultra-large televisions with 3-D effects. The high-end 3-D TV, which uses full light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to illuminate the screen, is part of the company's effort to boost its market share in 3-D TVs to 20 percent worldwide. LG was the world's third-largest 3-D TV maker in the second quarter with a 12.4 percent share, trailing Samsung Electronics Co. and Sony Corp., according to DisplaySearch data. The TV industry is pinning high hopes on 3-D features to spur demand for the living room staple, but has seen demand drop as the global economic slowdown hurt consumer spending. LG claims that the latest product is the world's largest 3-D TV that uses full LED. In May, its cross-town rival Samsung launched a 75-inch 3-D TV model partially using LED backlight units. The 72-inch model is priced at 17 million won (US$15,930) for local consumers.