SANTA CLARA, CA -- Large–area TFT LCD panel shipments have declined the past two quarters, but that's about to change.

Supply chain inventories adjustments slowed shipments in the December and March periods, but brands and OEMs are increasing orders and panel makers are seeing capacity utilization rise, leading forecasters to predict,second-quarter shipments will grow by double digits.

Panel prices also are rebounding, indicates a recovery of the TFT LCD industry, says NPD DisplaySearch.

Large-area (9”+) TFT LCD shipments fell by 3% sequentially in the first quarter to 170.2 million units. However, the report forecasts that shipments are expected to grow 11% sequentially and 4% year-over-year to 189.6 million in the June period.

In the March quarter, shipments for each of the three major applications—notebook PCs, desktop monitors and TVs—showed Q/Q declines. The first quarter is traditionally a slow one for panel purchases, as downstream companies are conservative in panel purchases while making inventory adjustments. However, tablet PC panels continued to show strong momentum, with 18% sequential growth, driven by 9.7” shipments.

In the second quarter, the tablet PC application is expected to continue to show the strongest growth. Apple’s recent release of its new iPad with QXGA resolution has encouraged panel makers to expand shipments in Q2’12. Shipments of panels for notebook PCs and desktop monitors are expected to grow by 9% and 2% in the second quarter, respectively. TV panel shipment growth is expected to be 12%, primarily driven by increased purchases from China as well as demand from North America triggered by recent positive sell-through results.

Table 1: Large-Area TFT LCD Shipments (millions)

Source: NPD DisplaySearch

Large-area TFT LCD shipment revenues are expected to increase to $20.6 million, up 14% sequentially, marking the first time in the past three quarters that the industry has experienced positive revenue growth.

LED backlight penetration reached 59.2% of LCD TV panel shipments in the March quarter, and will rise to 60% in the current quarter and 70% by year-end. These targets account for scenarios in which panel makers ship the cell and open cell only, and downstream companies assemble the backlight unit together with the module. Many panel makers and LCD TV set makers have developed a lower-cost, direct-type LED backlight, targeted at at the market segment that prioritizes panel cost over thickness. NPD DisplaySearch estimates that direct-type LED backlit panels will grow to 17% of all LCD TV panel shipments in the fourth quarter this year.

Table 2: LCD TV Panel Shipment Share by Backlight Type

Source: NPD DisplaySearch

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，加利福尼亚州圣克拉拉 - 大面积TFT液晶面板出货量在过去的两个季度下降，但是这要改变。

供应链库存调整放缓在12月和三月期间的出货量，但品牌和OEM厂商增加订单和面板厂商所看到的产能利用率上升，导致预报预测，第二季度的出货量将增长两位数。

说，NPD的DisplaySearch的面板价格也正在回升，显示TFT LCD产业的复苏。

大面积（9 +）TFT液晶显示器的出货量在第一季度下降了3％，比上一季度的170.2万台。然而，该报告预测，出货量预计将增长11％，比上一季度和去年同期相比，今年的4％，在6月期间的189.6亿。

在今年第一季度，​​三大应用的笔记本电脑，台式电脑显示器和出货量电视显示的Q / Q跌幅。第一季度传统上是一个缓慢的面板采购，下游企业在面板采购保守，同时使库存调整。然而，平板电脑面板继续显示出强劲的势头，环比增长18％，由9.7“出货驱动。

在第二季度，平板电脑应用程序预计将继续呈现强劲的增长。苹果公司最近发布其新的iPad QXGA分辨率鼓励面板厂商扩大在Q2'12出货量。笔记本电脑和台式电脑显示器的面板出货量预计增长9％和2％，分别在第二季度。电视面板出货量增长预计为12％，主要由来自中国以及北美的需求引发的采购量增加，最近积极抛售通过结果驱动。


大面积TFT LCD出货收入预计增加2060万美元，比上一季度增长14％，标志着在过去三个季度，该行业已经历了积极的收入增长首次。

LED背光普及率达到59.2％，在今年第一季度液晶电视面板出货量将上升至本季度的60％和70％年底。这些面板厂商只船舶开放，细胞和细胞的情况下，下游企业的目标，组装背光单元与模块一起。许多面板厂商和液晶电视机制造商已经开发出成本较低，直接型LED背光，在优先厚度超过面板成本在细分市场的目标。 NPD的DisplaySearch估计，直接型LED背光面板将增长到所有在今年第四季度液晶电视面板出货量的17％。