Funai's TV, Blu-ray combo

Japanese electronics firm Funai, which makes products under the Sylvania, Symphonic, Emerson and Magnavox brands, will sell LCD TVs with integrated Blu-ray players in the US starting in the summer of 2009, according to Wednesday's reports. The company already offers LCD TV and DVD-player combos under the Sylvania brand in the US market, sales of which make up a full 20 percent of the company's sales.

The company sells its TVs through Wal-Mart and various other electronics retailers, with the expected HDTV and Blu-ray combos expected to be distributed via the same channels. The company also sold tube TVs with VCRs built in, which accounted for 40 percent of Funai's total sales.

Funai already makes Magnavox- and Sylvania-branded standalone Blu-ray players, priced at less than $300.

While no specifics or official information is known, it is believed a 42-inch HDTV LCD and Blu-ray player combo will be priced at between $1,100 and $1,300.

Funai also recently acquired the rights to Philips' North American HDTV distribution, as the Dutch firm pulls out from the direct sales market.

By Electronista Staff