March 11, 2005 Samsung has again inched ahead in the “mine’s-bigger-than-yours” contest it is playing with LG over the world’s largest LCD screen. This time it has announced an 82-inch TFT-LCD. In an illustration of just how far and how fast the game has progressed, Samsung developed the first 40-inch model in August 2001, the first 46-inch panel in October 2002, the first 57-inch model in December 2003 and now the first 82-inch panel. The screen uses12.44 million thin-film transistors to achieve an image quality of 6.22 million pixels.
This full HD image quality TFT-LCD panel was developed at the company's new production complex in Tangjeong, Korea. The soon-to-be operational 7th-generation production facility uses glass substrates that measure 1.87m x 2.20m.
At its 7th-generation Line 7-1, Samsung can produce two 82-inch panels from a single substrate. Previously, technological limitations prevented the development of LCDs of this size and competitive technologies, such as PDP and DLP technologies, were used to produce such large-sized panels.
Samsung's latest large-screen TFT-LCD offers a variety of features. The company applied its patented Super Patterned-ITO Vertical Alignment (S-PVA) technology to achieve extra-wide viewing angles. In addition, the product boasts a low-dispersion color filter and ultra high aperture ratio, achieving a contrast ratio of at least 1200:1 and brightness of 600nit (cd/m2). Response times are at 8ms or faster, providing clear moving picture images. A high-colour-saturation backlight raises colour saturation to 92% to produce a premium image quality.
Sang Soo Kim, Senior Vice President and Head of the LCD Development Center, said of the new screen, "Our 82-inch LCD panel proves Samsung Electronics' technological leadership. It uses our proprietary S-PVA technology, eliminating distortion from all angles and offers a 180-degree viewing angle. With this panel, we have achieved the world’s best performance in terms of contrast ratio, viewing angle and color saturation."
Samsung is set to begin operations at the world's first 7th-generation TFT-LCD production line at Tangjeong, Korea. This facility can be used to produce the company's full line-up of LCD modules for TV: from 23-inch (24 per substrate), 26-inch (18 per substrate) and 32-inch (12 per substrate) to 40-inch (8 per substrate) and 46-inch (6 per substrate).
Samsung believes it as at least one year ahead of the competition in terms of using 7th-generation production technology to make modules of 40 inches, 46 inches and 57 inches and is therefore in a position to take an early lead in the fast-growing market for large-screen, wall-hanging TVs.
The development of the 82-inch TFT-LCD marks the smooth launch of Samsung's and Sony's joint venture in S-LCD. The 7th-generation line will begin mass production at the end of March.