4Kx2K LCD TV Panel Shipments Expected to Reach 2.6M in 2013

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — According to the latest NPD DisplaySearch Quarterly Large Area TFT Panel Shipment Report, TFT LCD panel suppliers are forecast to ship 2.6 million 4Kx2K LCD TV panels (also known as Ultra HD) worldwide in 2013, up more than 40-fold from 63 thousand in 2012.

TFT LCD panel suppliers play a pivotal role in 4Kx2K LCD TV adoption, providing innovative cost-effective technology solutions that will meet the anticipated demand for these devices. Specifically, they are focused on leveraging new technologies, such as high-transmittance cell designs, high-output driver integrated circuits (ICs), and high-efficiency backlight units and integrated up-scaling circuits for 4Kx2K panels.

Figure 1: 4Kx2K LCD TV Panel Shipment Forecast by Size (Q4’12-Q4’13)

Source: NPD DisplaySearch Quarterly Large Area TFT Panel Shipment Report

“To date, Innolux Corp. has been the most aggressive panel manufacturer in this market segment, developing a full line-up of 4Kx2K panels in the 39″ to 85″ range,” noted David Hsieh, NPD DisplaySearch Vice President, Greater China Market. “Despite this, 4Kx2K panel manufacturers’ shipments are primarily focused on 50″, 55″/58″, and 65″ sizes, which are expected to have the highest volume shipments, especially in China.”

Panel manufacturers are also looking to accelerate 4Kx2K panel adoption by strengthening their relationships with LCD TV brands with more aggressive manufacturing and sales efforts.

Table 1: 4Kx2K LCD TV Panel Suppliers and Customers in 2013

                               TV Customers
Panel Makers            Sizes  (Design-In or In Mass Production)
-------------  --------------  --------------------------------------------------
AUO                  55", 65"  Sony Corp, Toshiba, Panasonic, Skyworth, Hisense,
                               AOC/Philips, Konka, Changhong, Haier, Vizio
Innolux Corp.  39", 50", 58",  TCL, Toshiba, Panasonic, Skyworth, Hisense,
                     65", 85"  AOC/Philips, Sharp, Funai, Konka, Changhong, Haier
LG Display      55", 65", 84"  LG Electronics, Sony, Toshiba, Skyworth, Hisense,
                               Konka, Vizio
Samsung         65", 75", 85"  Samsung, China TV makers

Sharp                60", 70"  Sharp, Vizio

Source: NPD DisplaySearch Quarterly Large Area TFT Panel Shipment Report

Hsieh added, “4Kx2K LCD TV is the newest TV technology available, and in order for it to be successful, it will be critical for the supply chain to avoid falling behind when making their purchases, even if content is still scarce. Some panel makers are also working with design houses to develop circuits built into the panel, to enable up-scaling of HD to 4Kx2K content. This will help to drive the 4Kx2K LCD TV market and encourage panel makers, especially those that have already started design-in work with TV brands in 2013.”