DisplaySearch Reports LCD TV Shipments Surge in Q4'04 on Increasingly Attractive Price Points

AUSTIN, Texas--Feb. 2, 20054, 2005--DisplaySearch, the worldwide leader in flat panel display (FPD) market research and consulting, indicated in two recent reports that global LCD TV shipments jumped 69% Q/Q and 134% Y/Y in Q4'04 to a record 3.6M units. For the year, LCD TV shipments grew 123% to 8.8M TVs.

Lower street prices supported the rapid Q4'04 growth with many size categories experiencing double-digit sequential pricing declines. The lower LCD TV prices were achieved through significant panel price reductions resulting from lower panel costs from new capacity optimized for LCD TV production as well as a rising TFT LCD surplus caused by record capital spending and weakness in the Q3 LCD monitor panel market.

LCD TV demand surged worldwide with all regions enjoying at least 41% sequential growth. Europe remained the single largest region for LCD TVs with a 38% share on 86% Q/Q and 216% Y/Y growth. Japan remained the second largest region with a 27% share followed by North America at 26%, China at 4% and rest of world (ROW) at 5%.

All size categories enjoyed at least 52% growth with 15"-19" LCD TVs overtaking 20"-21" as the leading size category with a 25% to 23% share advantage benefiting from cost conscious holiday buyers. 26" and larger LCD TVs also gained ground, rising from 34% to 36% of the market as prices fall.

There were significant regional differences with the average LCD TV diagonal at 20" in North America and at least 22" - 23' in other regions due to North America's acceptance of smaller TVs in kitchens, dens, dorms, additional bedrooms, etc.

Q4'04 LCD TV shipments are provided for 32 different LCD TV brands. Sharp remained the dominant LCD TV brand with a 22% share, down from 28% as competition intensifies. Philips remained #2 with its share rising from 11% to 15% on strong growth at 15" through its Magnavox brand and a strong position in Europe and North America. Sony remained #3 with its share rising from 10% to 11%.

By region, Sharp was #1 in Japan, North America and ROW with Philips #1 in Europe and Hisense #1 in China.

By size category, Sharp led at 10"-14", 20"-21", 25"-29", 37" and 45"+. Philips remained #1 at 15"-19" while Sony led at 22"-24", 30"-32" and 40"-44".

DisplaySearch's historical LCD TV shipment data along with its rolling 16-quarter shipment forecast can be found in its Quarterly LCD TV Shipment and Forecast Report available from $5995 or its Quarterly Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report which covers all TV technologies for $8995. For more information on any of these reports, please contact Arie Braun at 512-459-3126, x108, or arie@displaysearch.com.

Representatives from DisplaySearch, leading LCD TV brands Samsung, Sony, Syntax and Toshiba and leading LCD suppliers AUO, CMO, LG.Philips LCD, Samsung, Sharp and others will discuss their outlook for LCDs and other TV technologies at the upcoming 7th Annual DisplaySearch US FPD Conference March 1-3 in San Diego, California. Contact Kendra Smith for more information by calling 512-459-3126 x107, emailing kendra@displaysearch.com or visiting www.DisplaySearch.com/usfpd2005.

About DisplaySearch

DisplaySearch is the worldwide leader in market research and consulting for the FPD and related industries. Founded in 1996, DisplaySearch serves a growing multinational client base, with an extensive array of market intelligence reports, advisory services, and global business conferences. The firm surveys the entire display industry food chain, including component and equipment manufacturers, display producers, OEMs, distributors and retailers. From this comprehensive vantage point, DisplaySearch prepares a valued suite of market forecasts, technology assessments, studies and analyses, and produces influential industry events worldwide. The firm is comprised of a core team of 18 analysts, located in Japan, Korea, North America and Taiwan. DisplaySearch is headquartered in Austin, Texas, with regional operations in Chicago, Houston, San Jose, Seoul, Taipei and Tokyo, and the company is on the web at www.displaysearch.com.