The 19-inch widescreen segment is expected to account for 60% of all 19-inch LCD monitor shipments by the end of the fourth quarter, up from 30% earlier this quarter, according to Acer. Other Taiwan-based LCD monitor vendors added that 19-inch widescreen LCD monitor shipments are expected to increase 300% this quarter.
Among all widescreen segments for LCD monitors, the 19-inch widescreen segment is currently the mainstream, mostly due to the limited supply for other segments. However, according to Hermit Huang, vice president & general manager of Network Display Business Group in BenQ, once supply of 20-, 23-, and 24-inch panels increases in 2006, the large size segments will overtake the 19-inch segment in the market.
For its widescreen business, BenQ expects to focus on 20-inch and 23/24-inch widescreen LCD monitor models for the entry level and high-end markets, respectively, in 2006. The company stated it will also debut a 26-inch widescreen model next year, targeting businesses.
Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO) is the only producer of 19-inch LCD widescreen panels among Taiwan-based TFT LCD panel makers, with the company producing 15 19-inch LCD widescreen panels from each substrate at its 5.5 generation (5.5G) plant. According to ViewSonic, widescreen monitor panels will be able to be priced more economically once they are cut from 6G and 7G substrates.
Article translated by Emily Chuang and edited by Michael McManus
