Production focus on LEDs

CCFLs and LEDs are the only lighting sources for LCDs offered by Taiwan suppliers. The second type dominates production as these are compatible with new-generation ultraslim consumer electronics and use less power. The narrowing price gap between the two technologies has further boosted the adoption of the latter.

Meanwhile, the CCFL maker base has been shrinking due to tight price competition from mainland China. Fewer than 20 enterprises currently provide this version as against more than 100 packaging designers and 40 manufacturers of the LED variety.

Taiwan players continue to conduct R&D on light bar configuration and packaging. A single unit can be designed on the short side instead of on the long, effectively preventing the issue of hotspots, according to WitsView. This could narrow the price gap between LED and CCFL backlight modules from $10 to $6.

Further improvements in light guide plates result in luminance uniformity without incorporating too many diodes. This year, suppliers will release more modules featuring a quadlight bar with a dual-sided configuration, rather than the usual six-light and four-sided type, slashing the cost by up to a third.

The illumination source accounts for over half of the aggregate outlay for LED TV backlight modules. The new design is forecast to result in a 20 percent reduction.

Primarily for LCD TV application, these are being turned out in Taiwan factories since 1Q10.