Commercialization of 4Kx2K high-definition panels in TVs started recently,but industry sources believe that the TVs will still need another 3-5 years to be widely accepted among consumers as ultra-mobile products such as tablets and smartphones are gaining more attention.
Sources said the time-frame is based off the rate at which consumers change their TVs along with the rate at which they become aware of new technology.In the short term,the panels will be more readily available for IT displays for data processing and medical imaging,followed by usage in TVs.
The 3-5 year limit is not estimated to affect TVs in regards to their competition with OLED TVs.Sources said this is because panel makers such as Samsung Electronics and LG Display will be putting out 55-inch OLED TVs at around US$10,000,indicating there is no way to lower production costs in the near future.
In addition,sources also said that consumers are more likely to switch out an older mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet and replace it with a newer one whereas the rate or replacement for TVs is much slower.
Digitimes received reports in May that panel makers such as AU Optronics(AUO),Chimei Innolux(CMI)and Sharp plan to step up shipments of 4096 by 2160(4Kx2K)high resolution panels in the second half of 2012,indicating TV makers not using OLED technology are heading in the high-definition panel direction.
4Kx2K TVs need another 3-5 years to become widespread