Taiwanese TFT makers form industry body

Taiwan's TFT-LCD makers are coming together in a spirit of cooperation with the formation of the TFT-LCD Association (TTLA). Due to be launched on 18 February, the TTLA says it hopes to boost members' chances of moving quickly to exploit new market opportunities. The TFT-LCD sector is seen by some as the Holy Grail of the post-PC era, according to a report in the Taiwan Commercial Times. The following TFT-LCD vendors are members of the TTLA: Chung Hwa Picture Tubes, Acer Display Technology, Chi Mei Optoelectronics, Unipac Optoelectronics, HannStar Display and Prime View International. Elsewhere, Japanese TFT-LCD makers are cutting prices a move that is contrary to last year's accepted wisdom that there would be product shortages that would push prices up. A number of manufacturers were mentioned in a report from Nikkei Electronics, including Melco and Akia. Both were said to selling 15-in TFT-LCD screens at less than Y100,000 Yen ($926). Another display vendor, I-O Data Device, has cut around Y20,000 ($185) off the list price of its 15-in TFT-LCD screens. Nikkei Electronics blames a current oversupply in the market for the falling prices. ® Related stories TFT shortages to end this year Taiwan beefs up TFT facilities Mystery surrounds TFT shortage...