AUO: if you cut prices, we'll cut prices

That's the party line coming from AU Optronics (AUO), one of the largest flat-panel makers in the world. Samsung's 40-inch LCD panels are coming a little too close in price when compared to AUO's 37-inchers; the 40-inch component is nearing $900 from Samsung. AUO is willing to drop prices to widen the gap, but don't get too excited here: these are the prices that HDTV manufacturers pay, not what we pay.

Still, the downward price theme is a boon to the consumer and possibly even the Feds too. See, with the hard date for DTV now set at February 17, 2009, lower HDTV pricing is just what the President doctor ordered. One has to wonder about that $1.5 billion fund earmarked for analog-to-digital converters. The way LCD prices are falling, they may cost less than the darn converters by 2009!
Looks like the future is all roses...