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Canon Inc. has abandoned the development of rear-projection television sets due to shrinking demand, it was learned Monday.

The company will now aim to enter the TV market with TVs using the surface-conduction electron-emitter display, or SED, technology.

Canon exhibited a prototype rear projection TV with a screen size of 64 inches in October 2005, and has been seeking to realize commercialization by developing key components.

With the market for rear-projection TVs shrinking fast due to surging demand for liquid crystal display TVs, however, the company has decided to pull the plug on the development, informed sources said.

Among major TV manufacturers, Sony Corp. withdrew from the rear-projection TV market late last year.
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The prospect for Canon's entry into the TV market is uncertain as the commercialization of the SED TV has been shelved due to a patent dispute as well as delays in the establishment of mass production technology.

The SED TV excels in picture quality and energy efficiency compared with other types of flat panel TVs.