APAC PC shipments swelled in 2007, according to IDC

DisplaySearch has discovered the growing availability of high definition (HD) content and high definition DVD players has created an opportunity for 16:9 displays. Therefore, 16:9 notebook panel and LCD monitor panels are showing up on the major TFT LCD maker roadmaps. 16:9 notebooks are targeting the high definition DVD embedded notebook, while 15.x”W 16:9 LCD monitors are targeting entry-level LCD monitors. In addition, Gen 6 and Gen 7 were originally designed for LCD TV (16:9). Panel makers need to find appropriate monitor products for Gen 5, Gen 6 and Gen 7, like 16:9 monitors such as 15.0”W, 15.6”W, 18.4”W and 24”W FHD.

However, we also see some size competition will happen in 2008. In the notebook PC application, Samsung introduced 16:9 16.0W notebook panels while AU Optronics (AUO) and Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO) are developing 16:9 15.6”W notebook panels. In the monitor application, AUO chose 15.0”W for its first 16:9 LCD monitor panel, while CMO wants to use 15.6”W LCD monitor panels for its next major wide monitor. AUO thinks that 15.6” widescreen monitor panels will face a price position problem between 15.6”W notebooks and 15.4”W notebooks. But CMO thinks efficiency is the key for panel size; therefore, 93 percent efficiency of 15.6”W at Gen 5 is a very good choice from CMO’s point of view. Besides, China LCD panel makers such as SVA-NEC and BOE are also planning to mass produce 15.6” monitors at the end of Q1’08. This has helped CMO to boost its 15.6” panel campaign.

In LCD TV panels, suppliers are developing low-brightness and low-cost models by using new backlight structures for increased savings. The top five panel makers are also developing FMB (Front Mount Bezel) to reduce the mechanical cost and provide a slim design for LCDs.

The following findings are also revealed in DisplaySearch’s Q4’07 Large Area TFT LCD Product Plan Report:

• In 26” LCD TV panels, there are two camps: TN and VA/IPS.

• To better meet the strong market demand for 32” LCD TVs, panel makers are starting to use Gen 7 (1950 × 2250 mm) fabs or Gen 8 (2160 × 2460 mm) to produce 32” LCD TV panels.

• Low-brightness panels with fewer optical films and lamps in the backlight structure are in the product plans of panel makers.