Direct-view type LED TV aka chubby TV with its cost advantages and has been a market highlight in 2013. Chubby TV has been using secondary optic lens to continually improve its features. By increasing beam angle, the LED TV has successfully met the challenge of shortening OD to 15 mm without adding LEDs. The chubby TV not only has cost advantages, it has also shed off its thick appearance and now holds the same advantages as the thin edge-view type LED TV. The industry predicts 15 mm OD TV model will become the next major industry spec in 2014.

Direct-type LED TV cost advantages have spurred market penetration rate performances. In 2013, direct-type LED TV penetration rate quickly rose to 40 to 50 percent level, and accompanying secondary optic lens technological advancements direct-type LED TV is likely to rid its fatty appearance. LED manufacturers currently have achieved the target of slimming down the TV without adding LEDs, which maintains its original price advantages. Direct-type LED TV penetration rates are expected to reach 70 percent in 2014.

According to sources, Japanese optoelectronic component manufacturer Enplas secondary optic lens beam angle has reached 160 to 165 degrees. Initially, it will only be supplied to a small number of clients. To reach the chubby TV’s “weight loss goal,” a Taiwanese manufacturer has begun working with Enplas. By using first and second generation optic lens technology to reach the 15 mm OD target, while keeping the same number of LEDs at the same time.

Observations from direct-type LED TV specs show, as optic lens beam angle reaches 160 degrees, mid-class direct-type LED TV OD is 20 mm and LED chip usage is controlled at below 40 pieces. Low class direct-type LED TV is paired with optical lenses with 160 degree beam angle. When OD is at 35 mm, about 20 LED chips are required.

In 2H13, LED manufacturers have been actively entering slimmed down chubby TV R&D including LED package manufacturers Everlight, Unity Opto, leading manufacturers Lextar and others. All these companies are hoping to make direct-view type LED TVs with shorter OD. Lextar has declared its direct-type view LED TV has reached the 15mm OD mark by using its special optical design.