Funai to sell LCD TVs with built-in Blu-ray players in the US

low-priced Sylvania 42-inch LCD/DVD combo (photos of the Blu-ray combo are not yet available)

Starting next summer, Funai (Sylvania, Symphonic, Emerson) is planning to sell LCD TVs with integrated Blu-ray Disc players in the US. The Japanese company has a lot of good experience with this approach. Sales from cathode-ray tube TVs with built-in VCRs reached 40% of total TV sales for Funai a few years ago.

Currently 20% of all Funai TV sales in the US are based on TV/DVD player combos. Funai is likely to offer midsize and large screens with integrated Blu-ray players, both at Wal-Mart and electronics stores.

Details regarding release dates and prices are largely unknown at this point but a planned 42-inch LCD TV/Blu-ray combo, for example, is said to be priced between $1,100 and $1,300.

Via Nikkei [registration required, paid subscription]