Quoted from bhwolf:

I don't think they have to compete, the tide raises all boats. Stern's success is a good thing for pinball, and if helps the pinball market overall, that will be good for JJP, Heighway, and others.
I have yet to play AS, but honestly after what Heighway and in particular JJP have done, the Stern LCD looks like a modest revision over DMD. Hopefully, they've had some impact on Stern, and fortunately it's the gameplay that really matters.
Tell me you don't think of the AS animations when you see this commercial:
» YouTube video