Current Uncertainty for LCD Industry, Long-Term Future Looks Bright

Sales of LCD panels have been falling short of the aggressive expectations set for 2004. This due to the general strategy of “if you build it, they will buy it” that has been adopted in the last decade among the leading display panel manufactures in Asia. With the conversion rate of CRT to LCD slowing and a continuous strong demand for CRT-based televisions by the market, LCD display products have been faced with less than expected growth.

According to research firm iSupply however, the demand for LCD panels will pick up significantly with primarily large screen displays driving the demand. Panel shipments are estimated to rise to 31.6 million square meters in 2008 up from 10.7 million in 2004. LCD TVs is furthermore estimated to account for 35% in 2008 versus 15% in 2004.

Learn more at DigiTimes Daily IT News

-Dr. D.

LG Electronics Introduces World’s Largest Plasma Display

The South Korean electronics manufacturer LG is launching a 71-inch PDP display to the domestic Korean market. It will be provided in a package including a home theater system and set-top box for an approximate 80 million won (75,000 USD). The display will also be available overseas on a pre-order basis.

Learn more at Channel NewsAsia

-Dr. D.

New Flat Projection Display from UK

A professor at Cambridge has developed a new LCD display technology that promises to deliver similar quality to today’s plasma screens but at a fraction of the cost. The system relies on internal reflection in a wedge-shaped piece of clear plastic that is fed by the same LCD video that is used in rear projection TVs. They currently have a 15 inch and a 50 inch demo, both reaching brightness levels comparable to the top-end plasma displays on the market today.

Learn more at The Register

- Dr. D.

Thin CRTs Taking on LCD and PDP Displays

According to iSupply researcher Riddhi Patel CRTs are not going away anytime soon. According to the research firm, the display technology will still account for 70 percent of the television market by 2008. One of the key problems with CRTs is their bulky size which more and more manufacturers are responding to by developing thinner and thinner units. Additionally, the low price point of most CRT displays is the key driver to its continuous success.

Learn more at the Tech-Journal

-Dr. D.