Weaker-Than-Expected Demand for LCD TVs in 2011 Prompted Many Brands

Weaker-than-expected demand for LCD TVs in 2011 has prompted many brands to introduce low-price models hoping to stimulate demand and increase sales. In 2012, 3D will continue to be a major focus of high-end LCD TVs, but entry-level models will use low price and LED backlighting to attract consumers. Industry sources indicated that production value of TV-use LED backlight units (BLUs) will grow more than 30% next year. For low-price models, international firms will reduce the brightness of the LCD TV panels to achieve a lower count of LED chips for BLUs, hoping that this will narrow the price difference with the CCFL-backlit models. According to research institutes, the cost difference between LED- and CCFL-backlit TVs below 32-inch has been narrowed to less than US$10, and this could push panel firms to produce more LED-backlit products. Research institutes noted the LED TV penetration rate in 2012 will grow to 65% from 41% in 2011 due to more adoptions of LED BLUs into various sizes of TVs. They also stated the LED lighting market in Europe will grow by leaps and bounds each year and by 2015, the market value will breach US$10 billion. Source: www.digitimes.com