Japan's home entertainment segment saw several developments in the second quarter of 2015. Sharp introduced a mix of new Ultra HD (4K) TVs, including Aquos 4K Next that can upscale to 8K resolution, according to Digitimes Research.
4K TV sales in Japan increased about 20% on year in May 2015. The penetration for 4K used in 50-inch and above size units increased to 47.2%, and Sony in particular expects 4K TV sales to most likely make up about half of its TV business in 2015.
4K TVs in the Japan market have reached a 30% share of overall LCD TV sales during certain months, and the 50-inch and above size proportion has climbed from 40% in previous months. The nation is at the forefront of pushing 4K transmissions and is expected to be one of the first to make 8K readily available. 4K TVs are expected to hold a 13% share of global LCD TV sales in 2015.
Panel makers aim to tackle the 8K market starting 2018 when Japan will offer various channel transmissions in 8K, and the World Cup is held in Russia. Demand will continue to grow around 2020 when major sporting events will be held in Japan, according to Digitimes Research.
Sharp will play a major role in supplying 8K panels in the future and will use 10G facilities to produce the technology, while BOE aims to do so at its 10.5G fabs, with an emphasis on 98- and 82-inch units. LG Display meanwhile is currently looking to production of 55- and 98-inch units. Sharp's Aquos 4K Next featuring Aquos Quattron technology is part of Sharp's strategy to gain a foothold in both the 4K and 8K markets, Digitimes Research believes.
Digitimes Research believes in addition to TV applications, 8K displays will also be used for public and industrial displays, art galleries and museums, public speaking areas, traffic control operations, specialized monitors and medical applications.