Hsin Chu, Taiwan
AU Optronics Corp. ("AUO" or the "Company") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO), a leader in flat-panel display technology, will showcase today its latest 30"W LCD TV of 15:9 dimensions panel at the DisplaySearch Conference 2003 in Taiwan. This latest innovation is a colossal of the most updated quality, with its high brightness, contrast ratio, and ultra-light weight. The successful launch of its 26"W panel earlier in the year has catapulted this latest product, which shall stand center-stage for the latter half of 2003.
Its latest 30"W LCD TV module has the qualities to quench the demands for industrial engineers in designing the ultimate thin, sleek LCD TV. Equipped with super high brightness of 600 nits and high contrast ratio of 600:1, it includes Slim Bezel and is known to be the most compact frame of same-sized panels in the market (with a dimensions of 683.6mm x 431.8 mm). It is ultra-thin and lightweight, at only 38.4mm thick and less than 5000 grams, respectively, with advanced premium MVA technology wide-viewing-angle (all angles at 85 degrees) and super fast response time reaching under 16ms. AU Optronics plans to introduce its latest Image Tracking Backlight ("ITB") technology, which can substantially improve quality images. Samples of this panel should be available by month end.
AUO's Dr. Hui Hsiung, head of global sales and marketing, confidently stated, "AUO's 26"W and 30"W LCD TV has the best qualifications of its kind. Breaking world records in both its high brightness and contrast ratio. This just goes to show how much TFT-LCD technology in Taiwan has advanced, surpassing Japan, Korea, and embarking new arenas in flat panel displays."
Estimated for production by November and already in strong demand, the 30"W LCD TV panel is produced by segmenting a Fourth Generation mother glass in two. AUO plans to launch its 14" and 17"W flat panel in Q3 2003 and the last quarter of the year, will further launch its 46"W LCD TV panel. Considering its 20.1" and 26" LCD TV are full in production, it is clear that AUO is aggressively strategizing for a full range of LCD TV sizes. The second phase of its fifth generation fab will go into production by 2Q 2004 and its next generation technology is planned for the same quarter of the following year at the Taichung Science Park. With its complete range of products, strong financial backing, and a competitive edge, AU Optronics will be a strong force in the LCD TV industry in years to come.