Plasma shipments grew 53 per cent year-over-year (Y/Y) to reach more than three million units. However, this does representing a quarter-over-quarter (Q/Q) drop of 19 per cent. Panels 32” in size rose four per cent, from 11 to 15 per cent during Q1 while 1080p panels, which DisplaySearch says were “nearly absent from the market”, have now grown to account for 11 per cent of panel shipments.

Matsushita (Panasonic) helped fuel the growth by offering a 46” 1080p panel for the first time. Another reason for the growth is the price advantage over LCD: DisplaySearch says that a 42” plasma (including power supply and optical filter) ranked US$1,141 lower than a comparably-sized LCD during the month of March. This price gap, however, is continually narrowing.

“Price declines slowed for PDP panels in Q1’08, with prices falling six per cent Q/Q and 31 per cent Y/Y to an average of $403 as compared to double-digit ASP declines in the first half of 2007,” said Paul Gagnon, Director of North America TV Research at DisplaySearch. “Forty-two-inch class ASPs only fell by 1-2 per cent Q/Q, while 50”+ prices fell much faster, by as much as 10 per cent Q/Q for 55-59” 1080p panels while 50” panels fell 4-7 per cent.”

Panasonic fell from the number-one position for the first time since Q3 2006, overtaken by LG Electronics and Samsung. For Q1 2008, LG had 34.8 per cent market share, Samsung 30.5 per cent, and Panasonic 27 per cent, down 10 points. Hitachi ranked fourth with 4.4 per cent share, followed by Pioneer (3.1 per cent), and Orion (0.1 per cent). LG Electronics showed the most Y/Y growth at a whopping 97 per cent, due in large part to the introduction of a 32” panel followed by Samsung at 95 per cent growth, fueled predominantly by shipments of 42” plasmas.

Meanwhile, large-format LCD panels, representing those used in flat-panel TVs, as well as notebook PCs and monitors, rose 69 per cent Y/Y to reach 25.1 million units. As with plasma, this represents a decline Q/Q of 11 per cent but DisplaySearch adds that this is expected for the time of the year.

Promising news is that “full HD” models represented 24 per cent of all LCD TVs shipped during the quarter, which is up from 22 per cent in Q4 2007. When looking at LCDs 40” and larger, this number rises to 64 per cent, which is unchanged from Q4 ’07.  However, HD models grew in the 32” category, reaching over 500,000 shipments.  In fact, 32” sized LCDs seem to dominate the market, representing more than 40 per cent of total LCD TVs shipped, while 40” and above panels accounted for 28 per cent.

In the notebook arena, 15.4” LCDs accounted for a record 53 per cent of total panels shipped in a quarter, followed by 14.1” with 24 per cent. Of the 49.7 million LCD monitors shipped in the quarter, 2.8 million were to be used for LCD TVs with smaller screens, including 19” and 22”.

Samsung overtook AUO as the market leader in LCD TFT unit shipments with 20.5 per cent market share, followed by AUO at 20 per cent and LG at 19.8 per cent.

In terms of revenues, the global large-area TFT LCD panel shipments grew 61 per cent Y/Y reaching US$20.9 billion, but declined 9 per cent Q/Q. Samsung led with a 23.6 per cent market share, followed by LG Display at 19.5 per cent and AUO at 19.2 per cent.   CMO ranked fourth with 13.5 per cent market share, and Sharp fifth at 7.7 per cent share of total revenues. These top five companies accounted for 83.6 per cent of total revenues in Q1’08, slightly increasing from 83.3 per cent in Q4’07.

“The TV panel shipment decline in Q1’08 reflects the seasonal adjustment of the LCD TV panel demand, but it is influenced by the global macroeconomics slowness,” explained David Hsieh, DisplaySearch’s Vice President of Greater China and lead analyst for large-area panels. “However, the steady shipment of LCD monitor and notebook PC panels in Q1’08 shows the healthy demand for IT products, especially from developing countries. We expect Q2’08 large-area TFT LCD shipments will grow by more than 5 per cent, given the strong momentum in LCD monitor and notebook panels. LCD TV panel price reductions that are beginning this month and panel inventory build-up plans of top tier LCD TV brands will also drive continuous increases in the shipments of LCD TV panels.”

For more information, visit displaysearch.com