AU Optronics Will Produce 65-inch LCD TVs in 2007

AU Optronics (AUO) is planning to introduce a new 65-inch LCD TV panel with the first samples being shipped by July 2007, making him the first producer that unveils panels larger than 50-inch.

Although AUO has finished the 7.5G plant and started the production of large LCDs ahead of Chi Mei Optoelectronics, they still lag behind the competition when concerning the production of 50-inch or larger LCD screens. CMO recently announced its first 52- and 56-inch line, while at this time AUO's biggest screen measures only 47 inches. Motive for which they are skipping the 50- to 59-inch segment jumping directly to 65-inch. As a result, AUO's first 52-inch panels may not b released until the end of 2007.

Various sources pointed out that 52-inch panels cannot be very competitive when it comes to 7.5G substrates. That may be true but AUO's first goal here is to prove that it can be the first to produce 65-inch LCDs. Let's hope that the final products will live up to the expectations.

AUO will produce 46-inch panels in the first quarter of next year, at the 7.5G plant in order to mainly sustain the demand coming from Samsung Electronics, the sources stated. As a result of the increased demand, 7.5G plant's capacity will reach 60,000 substrates per month by the end of 2007, up from 10,000 substrates in the fourth quarter this year.