NPD Display Search, a market tracking firm, on Thursday sharply increased shipments projections of UHDTVs for this year. The research firm now believes that around 2.6 million (up from around 500 thousand predicted before) of TVs with 4K-class (3840*2160 or similar) resolution will be shipped in 2013, which is more than 40-fold from 63 thousand in 2012.

TFT LCD panel suppliers play a pivotal role in 4K LCD TV adoption, providing innovative cost-effective technology solutions that will meet the anticipated demand for these devices. Specifically, they are focused on leveraging new technologies, such as high-transmittance cell designs, high-output driver integrated circuits (ICs), and high-efficiency backlight units and integrated up-scaling circuits for 4K panels.

“To date, Innolux Corp. has been the most aggressive panel manufacturer in this market segment, developing a full line-up of 4K panels in the 39" to 85" range. Despite this, 4K panel manufacturers’ shipments are primarily focused on 50", 55"/58”, and 65" sizes, which are expected to have the highest volume shipments, especially in China,” noted David Hsieh, NPD DisplaySearch vice president of greater China market.

Panel manufacturers are also looking to accelerate 4K panel adoption by strengthening their relationships with LCD TV brands with more aggressive manufacturing and sales efforts.

“4K LCD TV is the newest TV technology available, and in order for it to be successful, it will be critical for the supply chain to avoid falling behind when making their purchases, even if content is still scarce. Some panel makers are also working with design houses to develop circuits built into the panel, to enable up-scaling of HD to 4K content. This will help to drive the 4K LCD TV market and encourage panel makers, especially those that have already started design-in work with TV brands in 2013,” added Mr. Hsieh.

Tags: 4K, HDTV, UHD, UHDTV, AUO, Auo Optronics, Innolux, LG, Samsung, Sharp