Top executives from two of South Korea’s leading electronics firms have flocked to local theatres to watch the Hollywood blockbuster “Avatar” in an effort to evaluate the film’s 3D technology and prepare for competition in the burgeoning 3D TV market, a source in the company said Monday.

LG Group Chairman Koo Bon-moo, along with high ranking executives from the group’s affiliates, attended a screening in downtown Seoul last week, the official said, adding the outing was made on Koo’s suggestion.

LG Group Vice Chairman Kang Yoo-sig, and Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of LG Electronics Nam Yong accompanied the group chief, as did senior group officers in charge of the 3D TV-related sector, including CEO of LG Display Kwon Young-soo, president of Home Entertainment Simon Kang, and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Paik Woo-hyun.

Avatar, which tells the story, through 3D technology, of a disabled U.S. marine who infiltrates a tribe of giant blue aliens inhabiting a faraway planet, became the first theatrical release in South Korea to reach 112.3 billion won (US$100 million) in ticket sales.

Chairman Koo, commenting on the group’s 3D TV businesses, “expressed high interest in the current technological level of 3D TV, which does not require viewers to wear 3D glasses,” said a corporate officer.

Yoon Boo-keun, head of Samsung’s TV division, also attended a screening of the film recently, saying afterwards that the 3D TV market “is expected to grow faster than previously thought.”

Samsung and LG, both of which dominate the global TV market, have already begun to compete in order to gain the upper hand in the 3D TV market.

Samsung has so far claimed the largest share of world’s overall TV market at over 20 percent in 2009, followed by LG with 10 percent. Samsung ranked top in the domestic market with an over 50 percent market share while LG took up 46 percent.

LG Electronics recently released its version of the 3D TV targeting corporate customers, while both Samsung and LG will soon release the 3D liquid crystal display (LCD) or 3D light emitting diode (LED) units that offer higher definition for household use.

Both companies plan to launch an aggressive marketing campaign for their 3D TV models sooner or later.

YonhapNewsAgency

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