The current state and future prospects of the liquid crystal display (LCD) industry may be glimpsed in a couple of recent stories. One, centering around an interview with the CEO of LCD manufacturer Westinghouse Digital Electronics , refers to the improved quality and lowered prices of LCDs during the past year, citing a 55-60 percent "price compression" in a year. The net result of this is another ten inches of display--37 inches as compared to 27 inches--plus a million more pixels, for the same price paid a year ago, much to the benefit of consumers.
On the other face of the LCD coin, the CEO of LG Philips recently told employees that the global liquid crystal industry would face a fierce battle for survival in the coming year. The supply excess of LCD panels more than ten inches in size, caused by overcapacity, drove LCD prices down dramatically over the past year. This situation is expected to worsen in the coming year, as more players get into the game. All this is good for the consumer, at least until the field of manufacturers declines from economic attrition.
