Panel Makers Benefiting From LCD TV War
Larger Screens More In Demand
According to a Digitimes article, Taiwan-based panel makers are benefiting from what Digitimes is calling an LCD TV war between Sony and Sharp. Chunghwa Picture Tubes (CPT) and AU Optronics (AUO) will ship TV panels to Sony and Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO) and AUO to ship to Sharp, according to Digitimes' sources.
Starting in early August, CPT will ship 15- and 20-inch TV panels to Sony, the sources said. The sources also reported that AUO has shipped samples of 26- and 32-inch panels and will being shipping in mass in mid-August at the earliest.
The president of Sony's TV group, Makoto Kogure, didn't wish to comment on specifics, but said Sony will consider widening purchase of panels from Taiwan in the future. The current supply of 32-inch and under panels does not meet its demand, Digitimes reported.
Sony's goal is to ship roughly six million LCD TVs in fiscal year 2006, with 33 percent being 40-inches or larger models, and around eight million units in fiscal year 2007, Kogure said.
Sony made news, aside from sourcing panels from CPT and AUO, by purchasing panels from CMO, with Amtran Technology being the TV OEM provider, Digitimes reported.
On the other hand, Sharp is putting in orders to Taiwan-based panel makers besides existing orders with long-time partner Quanta Display. According to Commercial Times, CMO will begin shipping 32-inch TV panels in August, Digitimes reported. The monthly volume should reach around 30,000 units and sales at $12.2 millions USD per month
Currently, Sony depends on S-LCD for its large panel supply. S-LCD processes seventh-generation (7G) glass substrates into 32, 40 and 46-inch panels.
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