industry news

At FPD International, Taiwan Manufacturers Prove They Can Innovate
Ken Werner

November 11, 2005 -- The 69,000 visitors to FPD International 2005 – held October 19 –21 at the Pacifico Yokohama exhibition center in Yokohama, Japan (photo) – saw a flat-panel-display industry in creative ferment. With large-screen FPD-TV coming ever closer to true mass-market status, manufacturers have concluded that continuing success depends on sharply reducing the motion blur in liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) and expanding their color gamut, increasing the resolution of plasma display panels (PDPs), and reducing costs.

It was obvious at FPDI that innovation is no longer confined to Japanese and Korean manufacturers. Leading Taiwanese manufacturers were also proudly showing significant technology demonstrations and prototypes, some of which will be in production this year. Interestingly, innovative U.S. and European companies have a more obvious presence at FPDI each year, finding it a fertile ground for potential customers and partners.

The excitement in the industry was reflected in record participation at FPDI 2005 (photo). Total attendance was about 11,000 more than last year’s 58,262. This year, 355 companies purchased 878 booths, said Norio Misawa, Senior Manager of FPDI 2005. This compares to 297 companies and 500 booths last year. The exhibit area was nearly filled and at least one keynote address was so well attended that some listeners were standing and others were sitting on the auditorium steps.

For detailed coverage of the technologies, companies, people, and trends seen at FPD International, see the current issue of Insight Media’s Display Watch and the forthcoming issue of Projection Monthly.

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Insight Media
Annmarie Gabisch, 203-831-8564
annmarie@insightmedia.info