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Panel Switching: One Manufacturer Dishes the Dirt

Vincent Alzieu
Translator: Catherine Barraclough
September 13, 2010 1:11 PM
It seems that all TV manufacturers habitually switch panels in their TVs without changing the product name. A leading manufacturer (who shall remain nameless) wrote to us to describe the process in a little more detail. We'd like to thank them for shedding some light on this widespread industry practice.

'Dear Vincent,

Let me explain why you can find different panels in one same model of TV or monitor. Basically, for each model of TV, a call for tenders is launched to manufacturers of LCD panels stating the tech specs required (resolution, contrast etc.).

Then, several of the proposed panels are picked, with usually two or three making it through to the final selection. These panels will have the same spec but will be made by different manufacturers.

This secures supplies in case one manufacturer no longer has stock or stops production of the preferred panel. If this happens, the TV manufacturer can fall back on the second or third panel picked to carry on producing TVs.

This is essential practice for TV manufacturers, as it stops them having to rely entirely on just one panel manufacturer!

It's all about keeping TV and monitor manufacturers independent from panel manufacturers.

This rule does not always play in the consumer's favour, but it stops TV manufacturers being tied to one panel manufacturer, and also allows them use competition in the market to their advantage.'

We understand that, but still ...

We can certainly see where manufacturers are coming from. However, they also need to make sure the results are consistent, as we recently measured very large differences between two series of panel which supposedly 'had the same spec' but which had been made by different manufacturers.

Given the possible consequences that switching panels can have, we think it's essential that a product designed for use with an IPS panel doesn't suddenly end up fitted with an MVA or a PVA panel under the pretext of supply chain issues. IPS technology has its own specific characteristics, particularly its wide viewing angles. We therefore wouldn't want to unwrap a TV we'd just bought only to be disappointed by its tight viewing angles. Similarly, a product with a PVA panel should only be fitted with a PVA panel.

When is a difference an 'acceptable difference'?

Some manufacturers would try to have us believe that PVA and MVA are closely related cousins. So why, then, do we hear so many boasted claims about how one is better than the other if their respective manufacturers view them as interchangeable?!?

Moreover, all the selected panels should be systematically and thoroughly checked before they're used in a given TV to make sure their tech specs are effectively interchangeable in practice and not just on paper. But then how can we define what difference is an acceptable difference? Does a maximum difference of 10% in contrast and viewing angles seem reasonable to you? What about 5% or even 15% ... ?

In the meantime, let's hope that manufacturers' 2011 TV ranges will be subject to more stringent checks than this year's models.

> TV Reviews: Compare 40'', 42'', 46'' and 47'' Full HD TVs
> TV Panel Switching: Findings from 2010, Hopes for 2011 : See all news

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