DisplaySearch Reports Q1'04 Worldwide LCD TV Shipments Rose 124% Y/Y.

AUSTIN, Texas -- DisplaySearch, the worldwide leader in flat panel display (FPD) market research and consulting, revealed in its "Quarterly LCD TV Shipment and Forecast Report" that Q1'04 global LCD TV shipments rose 124% Y/Y to 1.4 million units, while declining 11% sequentially. Sequential growth is expected to rebound in Q2'04, with shipments up 35% Q/Q and 159% Y/Y, fueled by Sharp's expansion as their TV-panel optimized 6th gen TFT LCD fab ramps. Although Sharp is expected to enjoy most of the growth and squeeze many other suppliers out, other contributors to the expected growth are seasonal product line transitions and ramps, expanding reseller assortments, increased fab capacity from other suppliers, and price reductions especially in the larger screen sizes.

Highlights of Q1'04 results include the following:

--Sharp, the top brand, reversed several quarters of eroding share and increased its total market share to 26.5%, which is expected to expand significantly in Q2'04.

--The battle for second and third place in brand share was a virtual dead heat between Samsung and Sony, as each earned an 11.9% share. Both brands lost small amounts of share due to Sharp and other brands.

--Of the 9 major size categories, Sharp led in six of them: 10"-14", 15"-16", 20"-21", 22"-24", 28"-32" and 33"-37". Sony led in the 17"-19" and 40"+, and JVC led in the 26"-27" categories.

--Regionally, Sharp led in Japan and North America, while Philips led in Europe, and LG Electronics led in the ROW.

--20"-21" remained the dominant category with a 23% share, followed by 15"-16" at 22%, and 28"-32" at 14%. 26"-27" was the only category to show positive Q/Q growth, rising 4%.

--The 20" and larger market accounted for 53% of Q1'04 LCD TV shipments, up from 51% in Q4'03 and from 38% in Q1'03. The 26" and larger market reached 21%, up from 20% in Q4'03 and from 7% in Q1'03. All categories below 20" lost share due to panel suppliers increasing their focus on larger sizes, while in times of allocation and seasonal movement away from the more price-oriented holiday business.

--Japan remained the single largest region for LCD TV shipments with a 36% share, down from 38% in Q4'03. Europe remained the second largest region with a 30% share, up from 28% in Q4'03. Shipments in all regions were down Q/Q, but all were up at least 75% Y/Y.

DisplaySearch's "Quarterly LCD TV Shipment and Forecast Report" is priced from $4,495 to $5,495 for an annual corporate subscription. For more information, please contact Jerry Benson at [e-mail] or 512-459-3126, ext. 108.

DisplaySearch will also discuss its outlook for the LCD TV market along with other TV technologies and HDTV-related topics at its upcoming three-day conference, HDTV Forum 2004. For more information on this important event, please visit www.displaysearch.com/hdtvforum or contact Kendra Smith at [e-mail] or 512-459-3126, ext. 107.

About DisplaySearch

DisplaySearch is the worldwide leader in market research and consulting for the flat panel display (FPD) industry. Founded in 1996, DisplaySearch serves a growing multinational client base, with an extensive array of market intelligence reports, advisory services, and global business conferences. The firm surveys the entire display industry food chain, including component and equipment manufacturers, display producers, OEMs, distributors and retailers. From this comprehensive vantage point, DisplaySearch prepares a valued suite of market forecasts, technology assessments, studies and analyses, and produces influential industry events worldwide. The firm serves more than 1000 clients in over 30 countries, and is comprised of a core team of 19 analysts, located in Japan, Korea, North America and Taiwan. DisplaySearch is headquartered in Austin, Texas, with regional operations in Chicago, Houston, Richmond, San Jose, Seoul, Taipei, Tempe, and Tokyo, and the company is on the web at www.displaysearch.com.