Global large-size (9-inch and above) TFT LCD panel shipments reached 175.6 million units in the third quarter of 2013, up 0.8% on quarter, according to Digitimes Research.Within the shipments, Taiwan panel makers were responsible for 64.54 million units, down 3.5% on quarter, largely due to shifting focus on small- to medium-size panel production.The Taiwan makers were also responsible for 46.6% of global notebook panel production in the third quarter and the percentage is likely to increase in the following quarters as Korea-based panel makers have plans to further reduce notebook panel production.LCD TV panel shipments meanwhile were down globally during the third quarter due to decreased demand in China as a result of LCD TV purchase subsidies issued by the China government coming to an end in the previous quarter, said Digitimes Research.

The number of LEDs used in Ultra HD TV panel backlighting in 2014 is expected to reach 497 million units, up 91% on year, according to Digitimes Research.The average size Ultra HD TV panel shipped during the year is expected to be 51.3-inches, up from 50-inches in 2013, and the total amount of Ultra HD panels shipped in 2014 is expected to reach 6.3 million units, up from about 2.5 million units in 2013.Most Ultra HD TV panel demand is still expected to come from China, added Digitimes Research.

South Korea-based IC design house Silicon Works saw revenues generated from its LCD driver IC (LDI) business fall for a second consecutive quarter sequentially in the second quarter of 2013, due to a slowdown in orders for Apple's iPad devices, as well as its narrow target applications, according to Digitimes Research.Silicon Works' driver IC solutions are targeted mainly at tablets and notebooks. The company has reportedly entered the supply chain of Apple, through providing driver ICs to LG Display.Buoyed by robust iPad sales, revenues of Silicon Works' LDI business climbed to KRW100.6 billion (US$3.43 billion) in the second quarter of 2012, Digitimes Research said. This represented an about 87% jump compared to KRW53.8 billion in the first quarter, and more than a doubling from only KRW47.4 billion in second-quarter 2011.Silicon Works' LDI business accounted for more than 80% of company revenues in the second quarter of 2012, up from 60-62% over the previous four quarters, as a result of its rapid expansion, Digitimes Research indicated.However, due to weakening demand for Apple's iPad, revenues of Silicon Works' LDI business fell below KRW100 billion in the first quarter of 2013, Digitimes Research observed. Revenues continued to contract in the second quarter, slipping to KRW62 billion or 71.5% of Silicon Works' total revenues.In addition, unlike fellow Taiwan-based LCD driver IC companies, which target applications ranging from handsets, notebooks and LCD TVs, Silicon Works' LDI business was negatively affected by its unfavorable product mix in the first half of 2013, Digitimes Research noted.Silicon Works' driver IC shipments for Apple's iPads, for instance, accounted for as much as 48% of company revenues in the third quarter of 2012. The proportion had already shrank to less than 30% in 2013, Digitimes Research pointed out.Digitimes Research anticipates that Silicon Works' LDI business is set to suffer its first revenue decline since 2008 in 2013.Source: Digitimes Research, October 2013

HD SDI solutions have only been introduced in the market in th past 2-3 years. Most buyers in the market are still not familiar with this new solution, leaving many questions and doubts of what benefits HD-SDI can bring to them. This situation is the same as it was five years ago for IP solutions. There is no doubt the HD SDI market will grow in the upcoming years due to its outstanding performance and features. Below, GKB answers the eight most frequently asked questions about HD-SDI camera and HD-SDI DVR.Q: What is HD-SDI?A: HD-SDI stands for High-Definition Serial Digital Interface, a kind of video interface run by SMPTE that uses a coaxial cable to transport uncompressed digital video. HD-SDI is the upgraded version of traditional analogy surveillance. It's simple and easy to learn as it continues to adopt analog technology and coaxial cable but advances its image to high definition resolution with no latency.Q: What is the standard of real High Definition resolution?A: After many discussions and divergences that prevented a unified HD-SDI solution, the market defined the final standard of HD-SDI resolution with FULL HD 1080P/30-60 fps.Q: What is HD-SDI's signal interface and format standard?A: Please refer to the table below. Standard SMPTE Name Bitrates SMPTE 259M SD-SDI 270Mbits, 360Mbits, 143Mbits, 177Mbits SMPTE 292M HD-SDI 1.485Gbits, 1.485/1.001Gbits SMPTE 424M 3G-SDI 2.97Gbits, 2.970/1.001Gbits HD-SDI VS AnalogQ: What is the signal sources of HD-SDI and Analog, respectively?A: Analog DVR is an analog video signal that is transmitted over coaxial cable. However, HD-SDI DVR is not an analog signal although the signal is also transmitted over the coaxial cable. It is a digital video signal and therefore turns out to have a much higher resolution than analog.Q: What is the maximum supported cable length for Analog and HD-SDI?A: The maximum transmission of Analog DVR is 400 meters; HD-SDI DVR can reach 120-140 meters, therefore HD-SDI has a less competitive edge in large scale deployments.Q: What type of cable does HD-SDI use?A: HD-SDI uses standard coaxial cables (same as analog systems), and we highly recommend our customers use RG59 or RG-6 with 95% braided copper shielded coaxial cables to ensure the 3G-SDI transmission is able to be delivered smoothly.Q: Does HD-SDI with uncompressed raw data need more storage?A: Uncompressed raw data from HD-SDI cameras to HD-SDI DVRs leads to an assumption that HD-SDI solutions require much more storage. However, this assumption is incorrect, as video data is compressed not in the HD-SDI camera but in a DVR. DVR has two compressing options: H.264 High Profile and Main Profile respectively, in which High Profile compression has one third more storage compared with Main Profile compressed storage.Q: Does the HD-SDI transmission distance limit the scale of installing the project?A: Although the maximum HD-SDI transmission distance is 100-120 meters, HD-SDI provides accessories (HD-SDI Converter and HD-SDI Repeater) to sort out this issue. Regarding the scale of the project, HD-SDI Repeater is used in between during transmission to make HD-SDI transmission distances extend to 500 meters. The distance is long enough to meet most customers' requirements. SDI to fiber optic converter can reach a further transmission distance thus there is no worry about transmission distances, as HD-SDI with accessories can meet any scale of projects.Q: Is HD-SDI able to deliver the immediate image with no latency?A: Yes, the major advantages of HD-SDI are zero compression and no latency transmission.Q: Does GKB provide the total HD-SDI Solution?A: Yes, GKB HD-SDI Solution provides One-Stop Shopping for everything! Our HD-SDI includes various housings and features of 3G-SDI cameras, SDI DVRs, HD-SDI monitors and converters and repeaters to satisfy all customers' requirements.Q: Does GKB offer the complete compatibility of HD-SDI products?A: Yes, Hybrid DVR is compatible with Analog and HD-SDI cameras. GKB HD-SDI DVR can be seamlessly compatible in traditional analog systems to upgrade to an HD-SDI system renovation project, without re-wiring. GKB HD-SDI DVR also offers CMS management software that manages HD-SDI DVR and Analog simultaneously.Q: Are GKB HD-SDI solutions compatible to other brands?A: GKB HD-SDI Camera/ DVR have the same Video Mode (1080P:30FPS, 20P:60FPS) that can be compatible with other HD-SDI brand products.Q: Will HD-SDI integrate with IP solutions in the future?A: The HD-SDI market is in the beginning stage, thus there are few companies that integrate IP and HD-SDI systems. For the long term trend, we know it's essential to integrate IP solutions and HD-SDI systems. Thus, GKB will invest time and to integrate IP and HD-SDI systems.Q: What are the advantages of GKB HD-SDI?A: Aiming to construct a safer environment with little cost, GKB is proud to launch its true full HD-SDI camera with a proprietary HD Hybrid DVR series! Below, we provide the advantages of the GKB HD-SDI solution. Now you may enjoy the amazingly clear image and smooth transmission with the latest GKB technology.A one-stop shop for everything:*GKB with completely HD-SDI Camera line -3G SDI which supports multi SDI Mode (1080p/1080i/720P). -Professional OSD functions: 3DNR/Sense-up/Digital zoom and so on. -True 120 Meter SDI distance. -Long, middle and short range IR Bullet. -Outdoor PTZ, Zoom Cam*HD-SDI DVR with completely product line and rich function. -Providing stable & quality 4/8/16CH SDI DVR which seldom seen in market. -1080P Real time HD in recording & playback. -Panic Button/ Alarm set/POS support/Free DDNS Server*HD-SDI Accessory-SDI repeater provides power to further repeaters.-SDI HDMI Convertor; Optical Converter-SDI monitor: SDI/ HDMI/VGA/BNC output with Full HD image quality.

As demand for 300ppi and above smartphones and tablets continues to strengthen in the market, Japan- and Korea-based panel makers are looking to develop the technology on their 6G lines while China makers plan to do so on their 5.5G lines, according to Digitimes Research.The makers are both looking to further develop LTPS TFT LCD technology as well as AMOLED panels. The makers are also in the process of, or are planning to, expand production capacity of LTPS TFT LCD while Taiwan panel makers on the other hand have yet to take such actions.Taiwan panel makers view investments into expanding production are currently more risky than what they are willing to take while Japan and Korea makers have landed steady orders for high-end panels used in smartphones and tablets from customers such as Samsung Electronics, Google and Apple.Taiwan panel makers are expected to focus mostly on small- to medium-size a-Si TFT LCD panel production for use in entry-level and mid-range smartphone and tablet products, added Digitimes Research.

Smartphones have gradually become a standard carry-around IT device for consumers and with their rapidly enhanced camera technologies, most consumers have chosen to use their smartphones for daily photo shoots. However, because of space and weight limitations, smartphone cameras are still unable to match those of digital still cameras (DSC) and to fix the issue, Sony has launched Cybershot QX100 and QX10 lens-type cameras that can connect to smartphones through Sony's near-field communication-supported app.The cameras provide flexibility to consumers for their photo shooting convenience, and compared to digital cameras with the same-level of specifications, they are also cheaper and easier to carry. However, the cameras' disadvantages in connectivity as communications with smartphones still have serious latency.The cameras are meant to replace some conventional DSC demand and are expected to become competitors to non-Sony DSC vendors. Sony is currently said to be seeking OEM partners for these cameras.Since the inconvenience from latency far surpasses their advantages, Digitimes Research believes the cameras will have limited success replacing other DSCs but if the communication issue is improved, consumers are likely to be attracted.

Intel unveiled two processors, the Atom E3800 and the Quark SoC X1000 earlier in October, targeting the Internet of things (IoT) and wearable device markets.Intel's Atom product line was introduced in 2008, designed specifically for entry-level PC products such as netbook and nettops for emerging markets, as well as embedded products like set-top boxes (STBs) and storage systems. Intel unveiled the Quark, its latest CPU product line, in September 2013.Although Intel has put a lot of effort into technologies (reducing power consumption), marketing (creating new product names), partnership (cooperating with Arduino) and operation (re-opening authorization of circuits) for its new Quark CPUs, Digitimes Research believes the CPU giant is still unlikely to achieve any significant advances in the IoT and wearable device markets.This is because the Quark processor's power consumption is still high compared to that of competitors and Intel has not touched the micro control unit (MCU) market for many years, Digitimes Research believes that the company will need to re-start developing its CPU technologies as well as come out with a new operation strategy in order to achieve results in those markets.

Global DRAM production has been hit due to a fire at SK Hynix' China fab. Combined production capacity at DRAM producers worldwide during the fourth quarter of 2013 is set to be about 5.7% lower than the level in the prior quarter, according to an estimate by Digitimes Research.SK Hynix' memory fab in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, suffered a fire on September 4 prompting the company to temporarily suspend operations at the facility. On September 7, SK Hynix resumed partial operations of a production line damaged by the fire. The company's most recent updates are that the fire-damaged cleanroom and air ventilation systems have been substantially restored.SK Hynix is expected resume normal operations with full production capacity between November and early January 2014, Digitimes Research indicated. With the upcoming restoration of SK Hynix' fire damaged plant, along with no further capacity expansions at other chipmakers, combined monthly production capacity at DRAM fabs worldwide will reduce by 60,000 12-inch equivalent wafers, or 5.7%, sequentially in the fourth quarter of 2013, Digitimes Research predicted.Despite the supply contraction, DRAM prices are unlikely to register relative gains in the fourth quarter, Digitimes Research noted. System OEMs are expected to decelerate their pace of chip procurement prior to the slow season in the first quarter, while the world's supply of DRAM chips will return to normal levels sometime during the fourth quarter. Identifying these factors, Digitimes Research anticipates that DRAM prices for the fourth quarter will stay flat or rise only slightly on quarter.In addition, Digitimes Research forecast that the global supply of DRAM will come to about 4.44 billion 1Gb-equivalent chips in 2013, up 22.8% from 3.61 billion units in 2012. The supply bit growth already decelerated to 31.4% in 2012, compared to 38.7% in 2011 and 56.5% in 2010.Source: Digitimes Research, October 2013

Japan-based carrier Softbank unveiled recently its new smartphone portfolio for the upcoming 2013-2014 winter/spring selling season, reducing the number of new models to four compared to eight released a year earlier, while focusing on support of hybrid 4G LTE high-speed data communication services, according to Digitimes Research.Three out of the four models – the Fujitsu Arrows A 301F, Sharp Aquos Xx mini 303SH and the Aquos Xx 302SH – are powered by a Qualcomm quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, making the CPU the mainstream.With the exception of the Aquos Xx mini 303SH which has a 4.5-inch Full HD display, the other models pack a 5-inch or above Full HD display. The four models all support 4G LTE.In addition to offering Softbank 4G LTE and Softbank 4G dual-mode hybrid 4G LTE services, Softbank also plans to include 4G LTE services on its 900MHz mobile network in April 2014, further enhancing its competitiveness for Internet services, said Digitimes Research.

Iljin Display continued to hold the lead in revenues for touch panel makers located in South Korea throughout 2012 into the first half of 2013 largely because of its orders to Samsung Electronics, according to Digitimes Research.Additionally, previously ranked number four Melfas bumped up to the number two spot while Electro Luminescence Korea (ELK) moved from number seven to number four due to shifting to small- to medium-size touch panel production as well as to landing increased orders from Samsung. Melfas also saw strong orders from Samsung, said Digitimes Research.Digitimes Research added that ELK has supplied Samsung with metal mesh touch panel technology since the fourth quarter of 2012 and will continue to maintain close relations with Samsung in the future.