Plasma Shipments Hit Record 4.4 Million Units in Q4 ‘07

Shipments of plasma display panels (PDPs) were up 42 percent in Q4 of 2007 from their record Q3 levels, reaching nearly 4.4 million units, according to new research.

DisplaySearch's "Quarterly Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report, TV Panel Module" found that 1080p panels grew 46 percent quarter over quarter and an amazing 1300 percent year over year, with 42" 1080p models outpacing 50" units for the first time.

DisplaySearch credits this growth to plasma prices coming in 20 percent less than comparable LCDs for 42" units, growth of 32" PDPs, and more availability of 1080p units.

But the numbers aren't all encouraging.

"Despite the very strong unit growth, revenues were only slightly higher, rising just 32 percent Q/Q and 3% Y/Y in Q4'07 to $1.9 billion as ASP declines impacted revenue growth potential," says Paul Gagnon, DisplaySearch's director of North America TV Research.

"In fact, blended average selling prices fell 36 percent Y/Y for the second quarter in a row. This was the third straight quarter of 30 percent+ price declines as supply continues to exceed demand and as a greater share of lower-priced 32" panels drove blended prices down."

Panasonic/Matsushita was the top supplier, with Pioneer the only top six supplier to not grow year-over-year.

Plasma Panel Share and Growth by Supplier

Supplier	Q3'07 Share	Q4'07 Share	Y/Y Growth
Matsushita	32.7%	36.8%	48%
LGE	27.3%	28.4%	113%
Samsung SDI	28.8%	25.1%	95%
Hitachi	6.8%	6.4%	17%
Pioneer	4.2%	3.2%	-39%
Orion	0.2%	0.1%	80%
Total	100.0%	100.0%	62%