Industry sources are predicting a ten-fold increase in the number of Ultra HD televisions in 2014 over 2013. The most growth and sales are expected in China, followed by Japan and Korea. The optimistic outlook is influenced largely by the expected price drops of Ultra HD televisions across the industry as well as increased competition, including options from smaller manufacturers joining the fray.
From DIGITIMES
Ultra HD TV panel shipments are expected to surpass 26 million units in 2014, up from about 2.7 million units in 2013, according to industry sources.
As pricing for Ultra HD TV panels is expected to drop in 2014, and as more TV vendors, including second-tier vendors from major markets such as China, plan to enter the Ultra HD TV market or expand their Ultra HD TV lineups, shipments of Ultra HD TVs are expected to increase about ten-fold in 2014.
China is expected to be the largest market for Ultra HD TVs in 2014, with entry-level units expected to make the biggest impact on the nation. However, Japan- and Korea-based TV vendors expect to see significant increases in shipments for their high-end Ultra HD TVs in mature economies, the sources said.
Innolux is expected to be responsible for about 8-10 million panels in 2014, which would make the company the number-one supplier of Ultra HD TV panels for the second year in a row. Most of the company's customers come from China, the sources added.
AU Optronics (AUO), meanwhile, expects to reach Ultra HD panel shipments of around five million units in 2014 while Samsung Display estimates to ship four million units. LG Display and BOE both aim to ship about two million units while China Star Optoelectronics Technology (CSOT) aims to ship about one million, the sources noted.
Most entry-level Ultra HD TV panels shipped in 2014 will be sized 39-, 50-, 42-, 48- and 49-inch while high-end units will be sized 55-, 58-, 60-, 65-, 70-, 84- and 85-inch, the sources revealed.
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