Passive 3D TV catching up with active 3D technology

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Despite the drop in picture resolution, passive 3D TV technology is proving more popular with manufacturers and demand is growing much faster than active 3D.

That is the conclusion of a report from NPD DisplaySearch which says that shipments of 3D patterned retarder optical film for LCD TV are estimated to increase 104% Y/Y in Q4’12 and forecasts passive 3D technology to account for 48% of total 3D TV panel shipments in 2013, up from 39% in 2011.

When 3D TVs first arrived on the market, the technology of choice was active 3D which uses shutter glasses to create the 3D effect.  The reasons for this was mainly commercial.  Active 3D TVs did not cost much more than regular 2D TVs as the technology was incorporated into the glasses.  This meant 3D TVs could be sold relatively cheaply and extra revenue could be obtained by selling expensive glasses.

This changed when LG introduced film-patterned retarder 3D TVs for a competitive cost.  People could use cheap glasses they kept after a trip to the cinema; did not need to worry about charging their glasses and did not have to cope with flicker.  However, passive 3D TV glasses mean each eye is only seeing half of the resolution.

“Despite the fact that 3D TV has not grown as fast as many in the industry expected, the penetration rate is still growing steadily. Nearly 30% of LCD TV panels shipped in 2013 will be 3D-capable,” noted Yoonsung Chung, Director of Large-Area Displays and FPD Materials Research for NPD DisplaySearch.

LG Chemical has led in 3D PR film shipments for nine consecutive quarters, accounting for 96% of global shipments in Q3’12. LG Display was the dominant producer of 3D PR panels for TVs and the only supplier of 3D PR monitor and notebook panels in 2012. However, competition for the PR film is set to intensify according to Chung: “The competition among 3D PR film manufacturers is expected to intensify, as film manufacturers look to compete. Chinese panel makers such as CEC-Panda and China Star are starting to produce 3D PR TV panels, and LG Display is expanding production of 60”+ panels in 2013—potentially joined by Sharp. Demand for 3D PR film is anticipated to rise, which will draw in other film manufacturers as well.”

The NPD DisplaySearch Quarterly Display Optical Film Report is aimed at panel buyers, film makers, and product planners and covers (are you ready for this?)  Polarizers, TAC, PVA, compensation film, surface treatment film, wide-viewing angle film, prism sheets, micro-lens film, reflective polarizers, diffusers, and reflector film.

Quarterly Display Optical Film Report

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