LCD TVs Bearing CRT-Level Picture Quality to Hit Shelves Soon: Displaybank

Application of the 120Hz technology (frame rate conversion) has brought the motion picture response time (MPRT) to rival that of plasma display panel (PDP) displays, and LCD TVs featuring cathode-ray tube (CRT) level of picture quality are expected to hit the shelves in the very near future, according to South Korea-based Displaybank, a global leader in electronic display market research.

The liquid crystal display (LCD) market`s growth was powered by the computer monitor and notebook PC markets and is now far outpacing all other types of displays, Displaybank recently pointed out. The LCD TV market, in particular, is rapidly becoming a dominant segment as demand for LCD TVs continues to increase at a high rate thanks to the rapid growth in the size availability.

In spite of all this, the Korean research firm said, LCD TV`s video quality, contrast ratio, and color gamut remain as technological aspects requiring improvement in comparison with CRT, PDP, and organic light-emit diode (OLED). TVs display sports games, movies, games, and a whole variety of video contents, and must therefore feature superior, vivid, and noiseless picture quality, Displaybank said.

Both South Korean and foreign LCD panel and system-product makers are attempting to improve video quality from a number of angles, including improvements to the response rate, circuitry-based correction technologies, backlight unit (BLU)`s scanning technology, and the 120Hz technology.

From the 4.5 million units sold in 2008, according to Displaybank, 120Hz TV sales are expected to soar to 26.7 million units by 2010. In addition, 120Hz TV sets are currently retailing at $600 a unit, which is twice that of conventional 60Hz full-HD TVs (on the 40-inch basis) and LCD panels are being supplied at higher prices (approximately $30 to $35 range).

Therefore, the Korean research firm said, 120Hz LCD TVs are expected to be well received by TV and LCD TV panel makers, as well as related driver IC makers and supply chains.

Source: CENS