A few years back, I did some calculations and predicted that CRT TVs, including direct view CRTs, would be out sold by flat screen TVs sometime in 2008. This was based on price trends.
I was wrong. CRTs will be outsold by other technologies in 2007, per this link.
Prices have dropped faster than expected, for LCDs in particular. CRTs are cheap, especially due to their volume. As that volume dies off, they'll lose some economies of scale and be "hit from both sides." Keep in mind also that some places charge a fee for the disposal of a CRT, and more will do so in the future.
The 2007 holiday season may be the last where CRT direct view TVs are commonly available (my guess). CRT RPTVs & FPTVs are rather difficult to find already, but they never were all that common anyway.
I was wrong. CRTs will be outsold by other technologies in 2007, per this link.
Prices have dropped faster than expected, for LCDs in particular. CRTs are cheap, especially due to their volume. As that volume dies off, they'll lose some economies of scale and be "hit from both sides." Keep in mind also that some places charge a fee for the disposal of a CRT, and more will do so in the future.
The 2007 holiday season may be the last where CRT direct view TVs are commonly available (my guess). CRT RPTVs & FPTVs are rather difficult to find already, but they never were all that common anyway.