Tablet PC resolution set to improve

Two important large-area TFT LCD trends are on the horizon - higher resolution tablet PC panels and the emergence of low-cost direct type LED-backlit panels.

The NPD DisplaySearch shipment forecast indicates that the average resolution of tablet PC displays will grow to more than 200 pixels per inch (ppi) in Q2’12. Q1’12 will be the first quarter that LED backlights (including edge and direct type) will account for more than half total LCD TV panel shipments.

In addition, low-cost direct type LED backlights will capture 5% of LCD TV panel shipments in Q3’12.

“The TFT LCD industry is undergoing some extraordinary changes in regards to high resolution and LED backlights for tablet PC panels. Rapid growth in multimedia usage of tablet PCs is driving panel makers to upgrade the resolution of tablet PC panels,” said David Hsieh, vice president, Greater China Market, NPD DisplaySearch.

“At the same time, the rapidly growing LCD TV market in emerging countries is encouraging panel makers to develop ‘fit spec’ products, such as low-cost direct type LED-backlit panels, which have a similar structure to traditional CCFL models, but consume less power,” he added.

“While there are many technical challenges in developing high-resolution tablet PC panels, high-resolution and slim-type displays can help panel makers raise their ASPs. Alternately, low-cost direct type LED backlights can help panel makers reduce panel prices,” he said.

The launch of higher resolution displays in tablets, such as 10.1″ 1920 x 1200 and 9.7″ 2048 x 1536, expected at the end of 2011, will drive average tablet PC resolution to more than 200 ppi in Q2’12. The average resolution of all large-area TFT LCDs will surpass 100 ppi in Q1’12 and 110 ppi in Q3’12.

LED backlight penetration in LCD TV panel shipments reached 39% in Q3’11. Penetration is forecast to surpass 50% in Q2’12 and reach 53% in Q3’12. The main drivers for LED backlight penetration include lower power consumption, slimmer form factors and environmental friendliness (no mercury).

Many panel makers are developing low-cost direct type LED backlights, trading off panel thickness for cost, but still gaining the advantages of LEDs. Some panel makers are using direct type LED backlights in new sizes such as 39″ and 50″ in order to provide value models in developing markets.