As the major markets wholly convert to flat panel sets and digital broadcasting, consumers are not upgrading to larger TV sets as quickly as manufacturers hope they would-- resulting in intense competition within the TV market.

DisplaySearch however suggests makers are missing an opportunity that could bring not only value to consumers but also an increase in prices-- LED-backlit LCD TVs.

Such a feature would offer energy consumption (and thus operating costs)-- a feature makers fail to push to customers, on the (wrong) assumption that the general public fails to understand such a concept.

According to DisplaySearch, the industry is "removed from its end-customers", with marketing assuming consumers only care about 3D when what they really care about is-- you've guessed it-- energy consumption.

As seen in the analyst's survey data, W. European customers (just as everywhere else in the world) show a much heavier consideration for energy consumption than 3D.

The TV industry has to change track and connect with its customers, quickly-- before it ends going the way of the gas-guzzling auto, and the terrible margins that go with it.

Go Energy and Cost Savings from LED-Backlit LCD TVs Not Communicated to Consumers

“World's Only Fully Sealed Displays” is a big boast and we’re open to hearing from any other contenders. But you have to admit the video (filmed at the bottom of a swimming pool) is impressive.

Ciil Technologies at InfoComm showed its Xtreme and UltraView weatherproof flat panels.

Ciil’s patented Fully-Encapsulated Dynamic Thermal Transfer System keeps internal components safely warmed in extreme cold and properly cooled in extreme heat all without vents, filters or exhaust fans.

The Xtreme and UltraView weatherproof display’s seamless design prevents the accumulation of water, sand, dust and ice (even brake dust and exhaust fumes from vehicles if the display in a subway station or bus terminal).

Xtreme displays, available in 42-inch and 47-inch sizes, feature a smooth, ultra-thin quarter-inch bezel. Ciil says it enables the display to fill the entire screen, rather than the image being tampered by a thick divider between screens when used in a video wall application.

The UltraView displays, in 32”, 40”, 46” and 55”, comes with waterproof, removable speakers so the display can still be hooked up to a professional sound system. The displays have an IP rating of 67, and like their Xtreme counterpart, are 100% fully sealed (meaning nothing gets in, and nothing gets out as you’ll see in the video).

Watch Ciil Xtreme and Ultraview

Vision's new Techmount Close-Coupled Ceiling Mount – or TM-CC is designed for applications where a low ceiling demands that the projector be mounted as close to the ceiling as possible. It's actually based on their TM-1200 (which has sold 42,000+ units) but it does not include the drop-pole.

The key feature is the universal spider design that fits most projectors (and Vision includes a range of fixtures to fit the mount to any projector – including large M6 bolts now seen on many projectors.) Vision includes a fall-arrest tether to secure the projector in place, and the fixtures are pin-hex bolts designed to deter thieves.

Satin White Rugged high-quality finish blends with ceiling tiles. Arrives 95% assembled reducing time onsite. Can rotate 360 degrees.

Go 1-Minute Video

Go Techmount Close-Coupled Ceiling Mount

Are the likes of Netflix and Hulu to blame for customers' cutting their cable services? If one takes the results in a US-based survey, it could either be so... or not, depending on how one reads the numbers.

A study by The Diffusion Group (TDG) claims the number of Netflix subscribers planning to either downgrade or outright cancel their cable TV services is up-- from 16% in 2010 to 32% in 2011.

However, the majority of those thinking of downgrading or cutting their services (around 50%) cite "the need to save money" as their primary reason-- recent economic woes proving to be a strong incentive.

So, are online services truly to blame for the gradual fall in cable TV? Trefis disagrees with that statement, saying it "still can not be a substitute for TV"-- a statement one can apply to other similar services over here in Europe.

However, one has to keep in mind Netflix's numbers show strong growth for 2010, particularly as the company plans to offer its services across the pond as well as on a variety of devices-- from smartphones to STBs and game consoles. Ultimately, though, Trefis concludes Netflix's (and cable TV's) future growth lies in whether it can actually substitute current TV services.

Go TDG: Proclivity to Downgrade PayTV Services Increasing among Netflix Streamers

Go Report on Cord Cutting Unfairly Points Finger at Netflix (Trefis)