Algorithm can reduce the luminance of LCD backlights by up to 50% through the analysis of the image data in LCD driver chips and the related adjustment of power consumption rates in the LED drivers.

Samsung Electronics and LG Philips LCD, are speeding up to move their module plants to China, so local backlight unit makers are devising various methods to deal with the situation such as closing down plants in Korea or adding more value to their products.

Most consumers aren't aware of the added costs before they trade in their old sets for plasma ones

Matsushita said Tuesday it would take a majority stake in IPS Alpha Technology, a joint venture making large LCD panels owned 30 percent by itself, 50 percent by Hitachi, and 15 percent by Toshiba.

Recent market research has named ViewSonic a "Channel Best-Seller" with 32% market share in the "greater than 30-inch" LCD TV category.

The Japanese electronics firm showed off a prototype of its new LCD device, which features optical sensors embedded into its 640x480-pixel screen.

Neither Microsoft nor Apple can compete at the new price points being plumbed by companies looking to cut costs.