The supply of blue laser pick up heads are expected to be in short supply in the fourth quarter. This is bad news for Intel, the delay in the G965 chipset may hamper sales. Panasonic will stop CRT TV production in 2-3 years.

Since the end of last year, Taiwan-based home appliance makers including Kolin and Proton have said they will decrease their CRT TV production due to fierce competition from flat panel TVs technology. Proton will discontinue 21-, 29-, and 34-inch CRT TVs in 2006 while Kolin has moved all of its CRT TV production lines to the Philippines in 2005, according to the companies. Tatung withdrew from the CRT TV market in 2005.