HannStar moves into high-end LCD TVs

HannStar Display Corp (瀚宇彩晶) yesterday said it is set to unveil its first liquid-crystal-display (LCD) televisions by the end of the month in a move to tap into the fast-growing market, following its bigger local rivals.

"In the initial phase, we're targeting small and medium-sized LCD TVs for bedrooms, studies or kitchens," said Davie Chou (周定輝), a vice president of HannStar.

The slim-screen TVs will be sold under the brand of Hannspree. Hannspree Inc (瀚斯寶麗) is a LCD TV vendor 20-percent owned by HannStar.

HannStar will supply 30 percent to 40 percent of Hannspree's flat panel needs, Chou said. Other suppliers include Japan's NEC Corp, Hitachi Ltd and Fujitsu Ltd. Fujitsu will provide large-sized panels for Hannspree plasma-display-panel (PDP) TVs, which the brand is set to roll out next year.

Other brands have similar arrangements.

AU Optronics Corp (友達光電), Taiwan's largest flat panel maker, supplies LCD panels for its parent company BenQ Corp (明基電通), while a portion of Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp's (奇美電子) production goes to its parent company Chi Mei Corp's (奇美實業) PolyVision brand.

To differentiate from the many other brands on the market, Hannspree has set its sights on the high-end market and has put extra emphasis on the design, Chou said.