MicroLED TVs - Page 3

Sony launches a new Crystal LED display, the VERONA, purpose-built to meet the needs of virtual production applications. Sony says that these new displays is tailored for filmmakers, bringing new levels of quality and efficiency to in-camera VFX applications.

For the VERONA, Sony developed new anti-reflection surface coating, which also enabled deeper blacks. Sony says that this innovative technology significantly reduces the difference in contrast between the image projected on the LED display and the actor(s) performing in front of it on set – blending virtual and real in a natural way, reducing time and cost required for post-shooting adjustments. VERONA displays also offer high brightness (1,500 nits), and a wide color gamut (97% DCI-P3). Most importantly the VERONA uses high performance LED drivers that support refresh rates up to 7,650Hz (!) to drastically reduce scanline artifacts on the camera.

LG Electronics launched a new MicroLED TV, the 118-inch 4K 120Hz LG MAGNIT (0.6 mm pixel pitch), targeting residential applications. Interestingly the brightenss is quite low, only 250 nits. The TV costs $237,000 - this is a highly expensive screen obviously targeting the top of the luxury TV market. 

The 118-inch TV is based on LG's webOS smart TV platform, and is powered by LG's Alpha 9 AI processor. It offers HDR10 and HDR10 Pro compatibility, AirPlay 2 and Miracast support, and integrated 50-watt speakers.

During the IFA 2023 tradeshow, China-based Konka is showing a 59" tiled microLED TV prototype screen. This is the smallest microLED TV shown to date - since Sony showed the world's first microLED display back in 2012.

It seems as if this display is an early-stage prototype. According to reports, the resolution is poor, the contrast is very low and the seam between the tiles is clearly visible. This is clearly not ready for commercialization. You can see the display in the video below, and indeed the seams are visible. The display is made by 16x9 modules, and it uses a PCB backplane.

Chung Kang-il, vice president and head of Samsung visual display division's future planning group, says that Samsung considers microLED technology to be its strategic premium panel technology for the future, as the technology is an "ultimate display solution. The company will continue and develop microLED technologies for the TV market.

Prices of Samsung's microLED TVs are still prohibitively expensive. A couple of months ago Samsung Electronics launched a 89-inch microLED TV in Korea, that costs 130 million Won (around $100,000). Samsung says it is trying to lower the price of its microLED panels, but this ain't easy and takes longer than the company anticipated.

Market Research firm Trendforce predicts that microLED chip sales will reach $27 million in 2023, a growth of almost 100 compared to 2022 ($14 million). Trendforce says that the market is expected to actually accelerate its growth, and grow at a CAGR of 136% from 2022 to 2027, reaching $580 million in 2027. 

Of course not just the LED chip market will grow - the entire ecosystem, including production equipment, backplanes, and more.

LG Electronics announced its latest microLED MAGNIT TV, a 136-inch panel that is the company's first microLED that has integrated design with a display controller and speakers. The company didn't detail any specifications, but it likely to be based on LG's LSAD series, that offers 4K resolution at 136-inch, 2000-nits and a refresh rate of 120Hz.

LGE says that its MAGNIT All-in-One is now available on the global market, and is designed for business environments, such as meeting rooms and conference halls. The TV includes LG's Magic Remote that operates like a mouse cursor and assists in presentations, and has several features designed for business meetings use cases.

Samsung Electronics launched a new microLED TV in Korea, a 89-inch TV that costs 130 million Won (around $100,000). This TV was launched a few months ago in China, and it now brings it to South Korea as well. 

Samsung says that this is the first TV in its new MicroLED lineup, which will include 76-, 101-, and 114-inch models. Interestingly, this is only a part of the MicroLED CX lineup that Samsung announced in January 2023.

LG Electronics launched a new version of its microLED MAGNIT displays, specifically for virtaul production (model LBAF). The new model is designed to help directors to create immersive visual experiences, ideal for film and media production.

The new MAGNIT TVs feature LG's chip-on-board (COB) LED technology and a 1.5mm pixel pitch. LG's previous microLED displays were available in four four pixel pitch options - 0.68, 0.78, 0.94 and 1.25 mm.

During Display Week 2023, Seoul Semiconductor demonstrated new prototype display modules that use its WICOP microPixel technology. WICOP Pixel is a full-color one-chip vertically-stacked microLED technology that does not require wire bonding, packaging, or lens, and enables easier microLED display production.

Seoul Semi updates that its latest WICOP Pixels reach a brightness of 10,000 nits (up from 4,000 in its previous generation technology).

A few days ago, AUO announced that it has finalized the development of its wearable microLED display, and the company is now launching the 1.39" round smartwatch display commercially, with mass production expected in the second half of 2023.

Yesterday AUO announced that it plans to convert its LCD 5A fab in Taiwan's Longtan District into a microLED production line. The new line will begin microLED production in 2025 or 2026, targeting wearable displays, automotive displays, TVs and signage displays.