To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu.

    -----------------------------------------------

     This story was printed from CdrInfo.com,

     located at http://www.cdrinfo.com.

    -----------------------------------------------

After strong plasma display panel (PDP) shipment growth in Q1?08, units increased 1% Q/Q to 3.5 million units in Q2?08, relatively soft growth due to weaker demand in North America and China in Q1?08, according to the latest DisplaySearch Plasma and LCD TV Panel Shipment Module of the Quarterly Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report.

However, demand was high in other regions and for 1080p (Full HD) models, leading to a strong 54% Y/Y increase in units in Q2?08. Due to the rapid growth of 1080p, revenue went up 28% Y/Y and 6% Q/Q for the same period. Some other highlights of Q2?08 PDP panel shipments were

- Significant increase in 1080p shipments, driven by new 46" models and 1080p share gains in 42" and 50" size categories, leading to a an overall increase in 1080p volume of 89% Q/Q and 333% Y/Y with 1080p now accounting for 21% of PDP panel shipments.
- More than 43% of Matsushita?s PDP panel shipments were 1080p and overall Matsushita accounted for over 70% of all 1080p PDP panel shipments. Matsushita was also the only supplier of 1080p PDP panels at 42" and 46".
- Weaker demand and increasing inventory in China since late March through April led to a 25% Q/Q decrease in 32" PDP panel shipments in Q2?08, a previously rapid growth size category.

"As the 1080p penetration of 40"+ LCD TVs rises to 72% in developed countries and 47% in emerging regions in Q1?08, it is important for PDP panel makers and PDP TV brands to be competitive in 1080p, especially in 50? and larger size categories," noted Hisakazu Torii, DisplaySearch Vice President of TV Market Research.

Matsushita regained the #1 PDP panel supplier position in Q2?08, as Matsushita?s revenue share surged more than 7 points to 36.8% on 23% Y/Y growth. Matsushita is also capitalizing on the decision to launch 46" 1080p PDP, which continued grow and does not appear to be significantly cannibalizing 42" or 50" growth. LGE dropped from #2 to #3 as the sole supplier of 32" panels, which suffered growth problems in Q2?08. Samsung SDI fell from #1 to #2 even with 49% Y/Y growth, the largest of any supplier, which was largely due to 50" shipments. Share for Hitachi and Pioneer fell by 22% and 8%, respectively.

For detailed PDP module shipments, PDP fab activity, PDP supply/demand, PDP TV shipments by brand and region, and rolling 16-quarter plasma shipment, cost and pricing forecasts, see the latest Quarterly Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report, Plasma and LCD TV Panel Shipment Module. For information on any DisplaySearch report, contact DisplaySearch.