Sony / Toshiba - Why do they release new LCDs every 6 months?

I was considering upgrading my 32" LG to a 37" Toshiba 37WLT66, or 40" Sony KDL40V2000. Both are great screens I'm sure (especially the Sony!), but I've just found out that both companies are releasing new screens AGAIN within a couple of months.

Previously with Toshiba we had the WLT58, which was a great screen, then they improved it with the WLT66 which I believe hit stores around June. Now they're releasing the WLT68 in mid-September!

Sony only just released the V2000 series in June/July, and now i've just learnt that a V2500 is on the way, with 2 HDMI sockets being on the cards at last.

Problem is, even if I buy one of the new models, by Jan/Feb 2007 it'll be out of date already! Can't they wait at least 6 months before making my TV obselete

I think multiple HDMI inputs would be worth waiting for.

You cannot wait for ever though as you would never buy, and if the manufacturers never released newer models we would all be watching black and white TVs!

Tesla said:

I think multiple HDMI inputs would be worth waiting for.

You cannot wait for ever though as you would never buy, and if the manufacturers never released newer models we would all be watching black and white TVs!

Click to expand...

I realise that, and i'm glad that LCD progress is so swift. But wouldn't it be better to just release a new model set every 12 months that has 10 improvements, rather than 2 sets every year with 5 improvements each?

Maybe the market is so competitive at the moment, that each company has to move fast to ensure that they're the best in the market. Although if that was the case then why have Sony and Samsung LCDs still only got 1 HDMI socket..

If you've got cash to spend then the KDL40X2010 will be out next month.

I'm planning to buy one around Xmas, but I might wait to see the specs of the KDL40V2050 because it should be considerably cheaper.