At the LEDforum 2009, Eric Chou, Optoelectronics BU Manager of WitsView, gave the attendees his insight into the LED backlight module section. With energy saving and slim design being the most emphasized features in laptop design, Chou estimates the penetration rate of LED backlight in large-size laptops will continue surging and reach 80% in 2011.

Eric Chou, development manager of WitsView photo-electrics group

As to LED application in monitors, Chou said, with no major problems in the design of LED backlight modules, the price gap between LED and traditional CCFL will be the main barrier in the promotion of LED backlight in 2010. In light of that, WitsView has a conservative estimate of 11% for the penetration rate of LED backlight in this market for 2010. However, according to Witsview, as the price gap between LED and CCFL gets narrowed over time, the LED-backlit monitor is expected to get fully fledged in 2011, according to Witsview.

Lastly, talking of the current hot topic of LED-backlit TVs, Chou noted that there is still much room for improvement in both design and cost control of LED backlight module used in TVs. For 2010, Chou estimates the major players in the LED-backlit TV field will still be top-tier brand companies, and the products will be aimed at the high-end market as before, with the market penetration to be around 13%. Edge type backlight design, with energy saving and comparatively lower cost, will still be the mainstream technology for LED-backlit TVs, according to Chou. At the same time, with the popularization of next generation play station, blue light disks, digital broadcast in many countries, and other high quality technologies, consumers’ requirements on picture quality and contrast ratio of traditional LCD TVs will also be higher. In addition to that, the cost of LEDs will be gradually lowered to get more acceptable for the general public, which is also a favorable element for the future development of Direct Type LED-backlit TVs with Local Dimming function.

2008-2013 LED TV Penetration Rate