Category Archives: Equipment

Super High Resolution FPDs: The Future of Better Image Quality

Posted by Charles Annis in Display Technology, Equipment, Flat Panel Displays, TVs on September 20, 2011 | No comments

The release of Apple’s iPhone 4 in June 2010, and its subsequent enormous commercial success, ushered in the age of super high resolution (SHR) FPDs, proving that consumers literally see the value of high resolution.

High resolution enables some 3D technologies, allowing viewing of larger displays at the same distance and improving the viewing experience of smart TV. But most importantly, high resolution appeals to all FPD users because it provides smoother, higher quality images.
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Gen 5.5 AMOLED Fab in Inner Mongolia?

Posted by Jelly Zhang in Equipment, FPD Industry News on August 24, 2011 | No comments

On August 12, the BOE Group announced that it will invest CNY22 billion ($3.5 billion) to build a Gen 5.5 (1300 × 1500 mm) AMOLED production line in Ordos, a city in the Gobi desert in China’s Inner Mongolia Province. As part of the deal, the Ordos government will give BOE warrants of at least one billion tons of coal, which is worth approximately CNY10 billion ($1.6 billion) based on current prices. BOE has no coal development expertise, and the company indicated that its initial plan is to transfer part of its shareholding to a third party to develop the coal mine, but the details have not been finalized, and the final agreement has not yet been signed.
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Building More Capacity During Over-Supply?

Posted by David Hsieh in Equipment, FPD Industry News, TVs on August 15, 2011 | 2 comments

The TFT LCD market is still going through the painful process of adjusting to over-supply, especially in TV panels. Slow growth in LCD TV sales, resulting from the cloudy economic situation in Europe and the United States, has killed the panel price rebound in Q2’11. Following the downward revisions of TV brands 2011 business plans in June and July, the market has seen panel prices fall in August. Many TV panel buyers are taking the opportunity to negotiate lower prices, and there are many spot deals with panel prices lower than the market average. For panel makers, the over-supply will force further cuts in capacity utilization in Q3’11 to manage inventories. As panel makers reduce prices, financial performance is impacted, leading them to slow down investments in Korea, Taiwan and Japan.
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Sharp + Foxconn: A New Alliance to Compete with the Korean Giants?

Posted by David Hsieh in Equipment, Flat Panel Displays, FPD Industry News, TVs on July 18, 2011 | 1 comment

According to press reports, on July 15, Sharp executives confirmed that they will establish a joint venture company with Hon Hai (Foxconn). In early May, DisplaySearch analyzed this potential tie-up. The joint venture company will be capitalized by both companies, established in Taiwan, and in charge of the LCD TV panel and component business. Chimei Innolux, part of the Foxconn group, plays an important role in the relationship. The agreement will include the following:
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Power Shortage in China Will Influence the Global Electronics Supply Chain

Posted by David Hsieh in Equipment, FPD Industry News, Solar, TVs on May 31, 2011 | No comments

China is facing the prospect of historic power shortages as the summer approaches. Lower water flow in major hydroelectric power producing regions threatens to limit electricity production. The central part of China is experiencing one of the worst droughts ever, especially in the Yangtsu River region, the biggest source of hydroelectric power. A few days ago, Reuters reported that almost half of all silicon-making facilities in Hunan province in China have suspended production due to the lack of electricity.
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