Sharp 2011 Annual Report Download - page 15

Overseas LCD TV Business
In fiscal 2010, the LCD TV market in general was strong,
buoyed by solid growth in Japan as a result of the Eco-
Point Program and steady expansion of markets in China
and emerging countries. Sharp recorded significant sales
growth, especially in Japan and China, owing to the
release of the AQUOS Quattron models, which combine
UV2A technology and four-primary-color technology*, and
other models featuring its proprietary technologies. In fis-
cal 2011, however, the Japanese market is expected to
slump considerably, due in part to the end of the Eco-
Point Program, especially after the end of analog TV
broadcasting in the second half of the year. By contrast,
overseas markets are expected to maintain healthy
growth, driven by China and emerging countries.
In response, Sharp will strengthen initiatives target-
ing overseas markets. In emerging countries, we will
boost our product lineup of small- and medium-size TVs
that match local needs. In countries like those in North
America and China, where there is strong demand for
large-size TVs, we will strive to create new markets by
using the advantage we have with the Sakai Plant to
aggressively launch models 60 inches and larger.
*A multi-primary color technology that renders video input signals of three colors—
red, green and blue—on an LCD having four-color pixels, in which yellow is added.
Tapping the Non-TV Market
Demand for large-size digital signage is growing for use
in such areas as public facilities. Sharp has developed
and released a multi-screen display system with a sys-
tem frame width of 6.5mm*. Since the seams where
individual LCD monitors join are unobtrusive, a super-
size image display can be realized by combining a
number of monitors in one large screen display. An exam-
ple of this is seen in the photo on page 12, which shows
the system in use at the venue for the APEC Japan 2010
Economic Leaders’ Meeting held in Yokohama in
November 2010.
This system has also been used at a variety of events
and facilities, both in Japan and overseas, where it has
earned strong acclaim. In Japan, it has been used at the
Huis Ten Bosch theme park, as well as in the JR Tokyo
Station and Osaka Station complexes. Overseas, it has
been used in the venues that hosted a handball com-
petition sponsored by the European Handball Federation.
We intend to expand its application scope by enhanc-
ing the brightness of the displays and lowering
their power consumption. We also plan to offer total
solutions, including equipment installation, content
development and distribution, and the proposal of pre-
sentations that meet diverse needs.
In addition, we will actively develop new products
with considerable growth potential, such as electronic
blackboards, in order to expand new business areas.
*The width of the bezels between neighboring LCD monitors. Does not include
the full gap between the monitors.
(Index: 2009 as 100)
(units)
(Source: DisplaySearch)
（CY）
100
500
1,000
10 1209 1311
Demand growth forecasts of LCD TVs by size
40–59 inches60 inches and larger Under 40 inches
Sharp’s large-size LCD TVs (at a U.S. electronics retail store) TV commercial for a 70-inch AQUOS Quattron model in the U.S.
Electronic blackboard
13
Annual Report 2011
Interview with the President