The below is a compilation of recent announcements and events occurring between January and early February 2005. Coverage includes LCD TV, RPTV, and CRT TV, other display systems, as well as major events related to system-level production.

LCD TV

DigiMedia

Has increased investments to double its LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) TV production capacity to 250,000 units in 2005. With additional output from Kolin's Guan Yin plant, annual production could total 500,000 units, enough to meet the annual shipment goal of Syntax, DigiMedia's major customer.

I-O Data

Determined to step into the LCD TV market and have a LCD TV product line ready by June 2006 at the earliest. Production will be carried out by overseas manufacturers but marketed in Japan at lower prices than that of large domestic brands. The maker is looking to position its offerings in the high-end segment on a level comparable to that of large Japanese players; the TVs will support digital terrestrial broadcasts as well as pay-per-view programming.

Sharp

Plans to produce five million of its Aquos-brand LCD TVs in fiscal 2005, ending in March 2006. Cumulative shipments of the maker's Aquos-brand LCD TV has already reached five million units by early January 2005, accounting for approximately one-third of the flat-panel TVs sold in the global market. Mass production for the brand was kicked off in December 2000. The maker currently has five production bases worldwide for its Aquos TVs.

Shinco

Launched the world's first series of large LCD TVs with the EVD (Enhanced Versatile Disc) standard in Beijing. This TV series comes in 32", 37", and 42". Shinco began mass-producing LCD TVs in 2003, and has invested over 200 million RMB (US$24.1 million; US$1= 8.3 RMB) in this segment as of now. The company claims that billions more will be invested into this division in the next few years.

Sony

Announced plans to start selling lower-priced 19", 23", 26", and 32" LCD TVs in late February 2005. On average, the TVs will cost approximately 10,000 yen (US$96.5; US$1= 103.6 yen) per screen inch, around 20% to 30% cheaper than Sony's existing models. These new rollouts will support both regular broadcast satellite and 110-degree communications satellite TV programming, while also functioning as PC monitors. The move is expected to promote flat-panel TVs among a wider spectrum of consumers.

Sony also intends to lift its LCD TV in-house production rate from the current 10% to over 50% by 2006, equal to the in-house production rate of its CRT TVs. Following the adjustment, Sony hopes to bring its LCD TV profit margin on par with that of its CRT TV sector.

Syntax

Forged a strategic alliance with LPL in early January to ramp up LCD TV production to 500,000 units in 2005. LPL will be providing Syntax with LCD TV panels, while DigiMedia, Syntax's production partner, will double its LCD TV production capacity to reach this goal.

RPTV

BenQ

Aiming to continue expanding into the DLP (Digital light Processing) RPTV (Rear Projection TV) segment with high-end 72" models, then expand into 57", 61", or 63" models. Shipments will begin as early as the second half of 2005, targeting at the US, Taiwanese, and Chinese markets. Due to the timeframe needed to set up production lines, shipment goal for 2005 is set at 5,000 units.

JVC

To roll out six new 70" RPTV models in March 2005. Plans are to expand the US market while carving into the Japanese, European, and Chinese markets by the end of 2005. Sales in the North American market are expected to reach 250,000 units in fiscal 2005. As to the Japanese market, plans are to launch high definition RPTVs in June 2005. Screen sizes will range between 52" to 61" initially. JVC plans to triple its RPTV monthly capacity to 30,000 units and begin producing 56" and 70" models by the end of June. The maker will also be strengthening its value-added specifications this year.

Mitsubishi

To introduce a 60" RPTV in the Japanese market in February 2005.

Samsung

To roll out several big-screen RPTVs using DLP chips in 2005. Screen sizes will range between 46" to 70".

Sharp

Will be entering the RPTV market in March 2005. Plans are made to launch four RPTV models in 2005, with 56" and 65" screen sizes, at a monthly capacity of 10,000 units. All RPTV models will be adopting TI's DLP chips. Introduction of the first 56" and 65" models are slated respectively for March and May, while marketing for the remaining two models will happen between July and September 2005.

CRT TV

Samsung

Threatened by the rapid price-fall of flat-panel TVs, both Samsung and LG will start marketing super slim CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) TVs as early as February 2005. Samsung has already begun holding clearance sales for its regular CRT TVs.

Thomson

Will be shifting away from its CRT production business to a higher-yield business of providing the media and entertainment segments with technology. It has recently offloaded a CRT plant in Italy to Indian Videocon.

Other

BenQ

Shipment goal for projectors in 2005 fixed at 700,000 units, with branded shipment accounting for over 50% of the volume.

Hitachi

Placing heavy emphasis on portable TFT (Thin Film Transistor) digital TVs in 2005.

Proview

Hong Kong's PC monitor maker Proview and Taiwanese Tatung are making plans to jointly acquire 10% of Chinese home electronics player Konka's stock shares. Should the plan come through, this will be the first instance where a Taiwanese home electronics maker acquires the stock share of a Chinese maker.

Samsung

To start marketing a number of big-screen PDP (Plasma Display Panel) TVs in 2005, including an 80" model, which has a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels and 68.7 billion colors. Another 50" high definition PDP TV model, boasting a 175-degree viewing angle, is scheduled to hit the market in April 2005.

The maker has also demonstrated a 102" PDP TV as well as a 57" wide screen LCD TV at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January 2005.

Sony

Introduced the "Creation Box," which allows viewers to manipulate images on TV sets. The device is sold starting on January 29 under the Qualia-brand in Japan. Priced at 500,000 yen (US$4,826), the "Creation Box" enables users to edit home videos and zoom in and out on parts of images, as well as turn images on regular TVs into high definition ones.

Thomson

Formed a strategic alliance with Japanese Funai to produce digital TVs. It will issues patent licenses concerning digital TV technologies to Funai exclusively, and will provide its ally with color picture tubes.