Cathode Ray Tubes

The demand for cathode ray tubes will increase in the next few years before slowly decreasing, according to prognoses.
Heidesheim, Germany
Still on the air
The cathode ray tube, prematurely pronounced dead on many occasions, was the subject of an international symposium at SCHOTT, Europe’s biggest television glass manufacturer.
Karl Ferdinand Braun’s invention is under pressure from the well-developed flat screen, which uses liquid crystal, plasma and polymer display technologies. If and when the CRT will become obsolete was the subject of an event bringing together 120 customers, competitors and guests from Japan, Southeast Asia, the USA and Europe. 85 percent of all CRT manufacturers worldwide were represented in view of global production capacity. Measured according to actual CRT glass tonnage, then 95 percent of the world market was represented. Four top guest speakers from Japan, the USA and Germany analyzed trends, the role of industrial design, the current television set and tube technology situation.
Solid basis
“In spite of many unfavorable prognoses, the cathode ray tube is firmly rooted in its market position and continues to be more successful than current alternatives”, stated SCHOTT Management Board Member Dr. Udo Ungeheuer in his welcoming remarks. The prospects for the next 10 to 15 years were good, though coupled with tougher competition on prices. The CRT producers – and SCHOTT as a supplier of panels and funnels – would have to act cost-consciously, constantly optimize their production technology and realize innovations, which provide greater customer benefits. Ungeheuer believes the picture tube industry has a solid foundation, even if the market is evolving. Production may be shifting to China, Mexico and Eastern Europe, but SCHOTT is monitoring developments, serving new markets and is definitely in a competitive position.
TV as interface
![]() Dr. Udo Ungeheuer, SCHOTT GLAS “CRT is more successful than present alternatives. The competition, however, will be getting tougher.” | ![]() Wolfgang Clas, Grundig “Despite LCD and plasma displays, the cathode ray tube certainly has another ten years.” |
![]() Dr. Joseph A. Castellano, Stanford Resources “Countries in the Far East will remain the main markets for the CRT, followed by the US, Europe and Japan.” | ![]() Makoto Maeda, Sony “The cathode ray tube has to become lighter for large format televisions.” |
Weight and design decisive
Makoto Maeda, who is responsible for CRT development at Sony and a member of international display committees, spoke out in favor of a reduction in weight, which should allow the cathode ray tube to enjoy quite a few flourishing years yet. The trend is moving to large diagonals (27 to 36 inch), higher resolution screens and flat screens. Since 1999 80% of Sony’s TV sales have been flat screens. He believes there is no stopping the era of digital TV but also that the CRT can expect further continual growth.

Prof. Dr. Dieter Rams, Designer “Intelligent technologies demand intelligent design.”
In all, the symposium sent a message of optimism to the international experts and manufacturers present: investments and innovation in the ’tried and true’ CRT technology are still worthwhile.