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LG's OLED display production plant is taking shape, will fire up second half 2014
To us, installing some factory equipment doesn't seem like much cause for celebration. To LG, however, it's the first piece of tangible progress made towards getting its new OLED manufacturing line up and running. At a shindig held to welcome the equipment to LG's plant, the company said it expects to begin mass production of panels for 50-inch plus HDTVs in the second half of next year -- a little later than the original plan of first half 2014. Hopefully there won't be any more delays, as we'd quite like to see the production line flowing and the mammoth prices of those gorgeous curved sets come down a little.
LG Display invests $655 million to expand OLED HDTV mass production next year
Sure, LG's current 55-inch OLED HDTV is pretty pricey with a US MSRP of $12K, but that may start to change next year when panel supplier LG Display kicks its new 8G production line into full gear. LG Electronics holds a 38 percent stake in the company and although it supplies screens to many others as well, the next generation of 55EM9700s will likely be a large segment of the displays produced. Although LCD manufacturers ramped up 8G facilities capable of producing six 55-inch displays from one piece of glass in the late 2000s, oversupply caused prices to drop and manufacturing to slow down, including at LG Display. Now, new display technology is ramping up investment again, which will see this new line installed at its P9 plant in Paju, South Korea at a cost of 706 billion won ($655 million). Based on LG's WRGB OLED evaporation process, it should be capable of working with as many as 26,000 input sheets per month once it's up to full speed in the first half of 2014. Chief competitor Samsung showed off "production" OLED HDTVs last year and plenty of demo units at CES with a mid-year release planned, we'll see if it manages to keep up before / if the tech goes mainstream.
Sony & Samsung begin LCD production at a second 8G facility
The S-LCD joint venture between Sony and Samsung now has a second 8th-generation production line to its credit, as the companies announced the $1.5 billion dollar expansion is now in operation and will be capable of producing up to 70,000 glass sheets per month for 32, 46- and 52-inch HDTV screens by the end of the year. We've seen prices at that size fall sharply since the first line was introduced two years ago, and we can't help but think this bodes well for Black Friday bargain hunters in 2009 and beyond.[Via AV Watch]
LG next in line to buy LCDs from Sharp
Sharp's investment in 8G LCD manufacturing is paying off well, if the recent string of buyers for its panels is any indication. Sharp can now add LG to its list of customers. Once again, the insatiable cry for LCDs north of the 32-inch spec has played in Sharp's favor; LG has agreed to buy about 2 million 32-inch panels and an unspecified volume of 52-inch LCDs to shore up its supply. As "super-size me" marketing drives the premium brands to larger LCDs, expect to see more activity as well. Larger sizes will be one of the few differentiators from cheaper brands, and there's always the drive for dramatically lower prices. Any supplier that can meet those two demands will stand to make duckets! Meanwhile, take Sharp's predictions of large LCD pricing as a kind of gospel for now -- its panels are behind a "who's who" in the display world.
Sony and Samsung may expand LCD partnership
Despite Samsung's solo expansion plans and Sony's alliance with Sharp, the two are not only maintaining their current 8th-generation LCD line, but may build another one, and a new plant after that. A source within Samsung told Reuters of the almost-final plans for a second 8G line from S-LCD, and the possibility that Samsung will cut Sony in on its 10th-generation facility, much like the one its already partnering with Sharp on. Like Sharp, Samsung likely wants to be sure someone will buy all those flat panels once the line is running, and Sony can make sure its got a cheap source to stay competitive on prices when competition will be even higher in 2010. The only thing we can be sure of is it will be nearly impossible to tell who really made that flat panel hanging on your wall, no matter what brand name it says.
Samsung announces plans to expand 8G LCD plant...without Sony
One thing we have no problem giving thanks for is new HDTVs, and there should be even more of those on the way as Samsung is expanding its brand new eight-generation LCD plant. Even though Sony and Samsung split the bill to build the 8G facility that cranks out 46- and 52-inch panels, they apparently couldn't reach an agreement and Samsung is handling the re-investment on its own, to the tune of $2.21 billion. No word on that proposed 11G line, but we have a 70-inch space on our wall just waiting to be filled.
Samsung considering 11G LCD line
The contest to wear the "biggest LCD display" crown (even if only for a short while) is a high stakes game indeed. LCD market leader Samsung announced plans for their 11th generation LCD production line, with the caveat that "the timing of the investment will be decided depending on the market situation." This production line is expected to meet demand for 70-inch displays (at reasonable prices), and will crank out sheets measuring 3,200 x 3,600-mm (126 x 142-inches). Only a month ago, the company announced plans to upgrade to 10G (sheets a mere 118 x 126-inches). To us, all of this sounds like the company is considering skipping 10G and going straight to 11G. Perhaps not coincidentally, a re-investment decision on the current 8G line shared with Sony has still not been reached.
S-LCD Corp began shipping from newest LCD facility
Timing is everything and S-LCD Corp, venture between Samsung and Sony on LCDs, just began shipping large sized LCDs from their newest production facility just in time for the Holiday spending frenzy. These new panels are going to be 46 to 52-inches size and hopefully, ship stateside with a lower MSRP. Sony didn't have a stellar Q2 and a lower price never hurts sales -- maybe the bottom line, but hey, we're not bean counters.
Sharp predicts LCD prices will fall 25% this year, plans new 10G production facility
LCD prices have dropped sharply over the last few years, and Sharp sees no reason that trend won't continue. The company sees LCD as a the clear winner over plasma in Japan, with with a U.S. victory in sight as 1080p HDTVs gain market share. Along with a prediction of LCDs in the 40-inch+ range for less than $2,000 by the end of this year, inventory clearing fire sales and already value priced brands notwithstanding. Of course, as prices drop, bigger and better HDTVs are coming right behind, to that end Sharp also announced plans for the worlds first tenth-generation LCD plant. By producing glass substrates 60% bigger than its current 8G plant, expect 60-inch class LCDs to be as common as 40-inchers when the plant opens in 2010. Read - Sharp to build complex with 10G LCD and solar cell facilities Read - Sharp Sees LCD TV Industry Prices Falling About 25% This Year
Samsung launches new 8G plant, cheap 52-inch LCDs on the way?
Fans of cutting edge electronics are usually used to dealing with delays, disappointments and broken promises, but this time it looks like Sony and Samsung are delivering their latest LCD plant well ahead of schedule. The eighth generation facility designed to mass produce the 52-inch HDTVs we love so much should be able to produce as many as 50,000 panels per month starting in July. Samsung is still predicting steep drops in the price of LCDs, with the president seeing the cost of the 52-inch panel lowered to $1,000 by the end of next year.
Attention Wal-Mart shoppers: New Sony HDTVs incoming
Want a new Sony HDTV but can't stand to look at the prices of the latest Bravia's? Consider yourself in luck as a "value priced" line should be hitting Wal-Mart, Target and other retail shops near you in the next couple of months. No word on price or specs, but it certainly appears the company will be going right at the Vizio's and Westinghouse's of the world. Other details released include plans to ramp up Blu-ray standalone player shipments "5 or 6 times" over last year's 100,000 units, and again that we can expect to see those beautiful OLEDs from CES to hit the streets in Japan...but only in 11-inch sizes. They also found time to mention that they don't plan on releasing a hybrid player, and that while 40-inch is the most popular LCD size now, their 8G plant will be on line soon to make 46- and 50-inch HDTVs at even lower prices. Read - Sony plans TV line for Wal-Mart, Target Read - Sony May Increase U.S. Shipments of Blu-Ray by Sixfold in 2007 Read - Sony: Gearing Up To Sell Flat Screens, Wal-Mart Style
Sharp LC-52D92U 1080p LCD reviewed
CNET got their hands on the 52-inch version of Sharp's latest 1080p HDTVs, the LC-52D92U, that we first saw at CES. The good news is that it shares the deep black levels of its Aquos D62 predecessor, the bad news is it also brings along the unfortunate banding issues that plagued the previous generation. They also looked into the newly added 120Hz refresh rate that we're seeing in so many LCDs, and compared to a cheaper unit from Vizio, couldn't really tell the difference, even during fast moving action scenes. They didn't find many other issues with the set, commending its upscaling abilities and plenty of connections, but until the banding problems get resolved, Sharp's 8G-based panels will be a skip for most keen-eyed HDTV watchers.
Bigger & biggest HDTVs: Sharp's 108 vs. Samsung's 102
It's hard to decide. We're seeing so many great HDTVs every day like these two giants -- and some not so giant -- but still, which one of these screens would we rather take home? On the left we've got Samsung's old school 102-inch plasma, on the right Sharp's new 108-inch 1080p Aquos LCD. Some people could be content with a mere 102-inch or even 103-inch screen and prefer plasma to LCD, but with 120Hz motion and other advancements coming off of Sharp's 8th-generation manufacturing line its impossible to say no to the new size king in town. Check out the gallery for a couple more pictures of both. Bigger and biggest HDTVs: Sharp's 108 vs. Samsung's 102
Sony's 82-inch 1080p Bravia LCD prototype
Because CES really is nothing without some enormous prototype displays hanging on the wall and we have a Pokemon Snap-style desire to catch each one in its habitat.. This one is Sony's recently announced 82-inch Bravia. While it's only a prototype for now, we wouldn't be surprised to see HDTVs this size and bigger become available later next year when Sony and Samsung have an 8G plant like their competitors over at Sharp. As far as we're concerned, this 120Hz refresh LED-backlit x.v.Color compatible screen can't hit shelves soon enough. Sony's 82-inch 1080p Bravia LCD prototype
Samsung's two 120hz 1080p LCDs coming to CES, and stores, in 2007
Samsung has lifted the curtain just a bit higher, revealing two new LCDs it will be showing at CES. The 1080p, 120hz refresh rate 70-inch LCD shown previously at IMID 2006 will make the trip, as well as a 52-inch model slated to begin production on the company's 8th-generation manufacturing line later this year. Here's hoping for a demo connecting one of these displays to an HDMI-1.3 equipped, 1080p24 frame rate displaying slimline $500 second generation Blu-ray player in the next few days.
Sharp Aquos 1080p D62 LCDs now shipping
A reader dropped us a line that Sharp has sent out emails to prospective buyers informing them that its new 1080p 52-, 46- and 42-inch LCDs should be on store shelves near you, if not already, then very very soon. Best Buy, Crutchfield and Circuit City are among the stores listed as stocking the screens, and seem to be selling them at about a $200 discount off the MSRPs originally announced. The Aquos line has had a good reputation, and the 52-inch LC-52D62U was just pointed out by BusinessWeek as its favorite new HDTV. Still, you may want to take a long look at test patterns before laying down the cash as some early purchasers at AVSForum are complaining of banding and color washout issues. The complaints appear to be limited to some of the 52-inch and 46-inch LC-46D62U models rolling off the line at Sharp's newest 8G LCD plant, and may be isolated to screens manufactured in September. The 42-inch LC-42D62U is based on older technology and seems to be unaffected. Still, if 2-million+ pixels, 2000:1 contrast ratio and 4ms response times are what move you, it can't hurt to go down to the store and have a look...just a look.[Thanks, Karterius]Read - Sharp Aquos 42D62U/46D62U/52D62U Owner's ThreadRead - TV: It's A Flat World, After AllRead - Sharp D62 Product page
CMO jumping into 52-inch 1080p LCD market, QuadHD delayed
Just because they don't have a shiny new 8G plant yet isn't stopping CMO from getting in on the 52-inch 1080p LCD battle. HDTVs from Sharp, Samsung and Sony are already on sale or coming soon, and Chi Mei Optoelectronics, plans to join them in the first quarter of 2007. While you may not know the name, their panels are in many HDTVs you do know like Westinghouse and Toshiba. They'll be showing their 52-inch LCD next month at FPD International 2006 in Japan, and plan to upgrade production to 180,000 glass substrates by December. Their current 5.5G plant can only get two 52-inch LCDs from each substrate however, while the newer plants produce six at a time. Either way, next year will have a lot of players competing in the 40 to 50-inch LCD space driving prices down, we see what they've been able to do at the 47-inch tier. It's not all good news though, CMO may be having trouble mass producing the 56-inch 3,840×2,160 resolution LCD they showed off last year. With four times as many pixels as current 1080p screens, they promise all new debates over how much resolution is actually necessary...whenever the technology is actually released.
Sony, Samsung and Sharp push up 8G LCD production schedules
Whether or not you're actually considering buying one of Sharp, Samsung or Sony's 52-inch 1080p LCDs next year, they're pretty sure you will and as a result are pushing manufacturing schedules up. According to Digitimes, Sony & Samsung's joint manufacturing venture S-LCD is expected to have their eighth generation manufacturing plant ready several months ahead of its original October 2007 launch date. Sharp already has an 8G plant but that's just not good enough, they'll be doubling capacity in March. With heavy price competition among the various "Full HD" LCDs and manufacturing increases, hopefully the 52-inch of 2007 will be the 32-, 37- and 42-inch of this year and last in terms of price drops.
Sharp announces 42-inch 1080p Aquos LCD US availability, pricing - UPDATE
As news continues to pour forth from CEDIA 2006, Sharp has confirmed their 42-inch 1080p Aquos LCD will be hitting the US in October. Previously announced in Japan, the 52- and 46-inch models were already announced for the US, and their 42-inch 8G brother does not disappoint. The Sharp LC-42D62U carries an MSRP of just $2,499, has a native contrast ratio of 1,200:1 (6,000:1 dynamic), 450 nits brightness, 6ms response time and the same piano black cabinet with recessed bottom-mounted speakers of the larger Aquos LCDs. The specs don't quite match up to the 4ms response time and 2000:1 contrast ratio of the two larger models but the price reflects that. This time last year we were drooling over a 45-inch 1080p Aquos HDTV with lesser specs for around $4,500, but we're not looking back to that dark, hellish time. The 52-inch is pictured here, but it should look the same.UPDATE: Fresh pic of the 42-inch LCD right from the floor of CEDIA