[News] DTS 2025: Review of the Ultra-Large and UHD Display Session

On the first day of the TrendForce DTS 2025 seminar, experts in the LED and display industry shared insights on micro-display and small-to-medium-sized display technologies. As the event moved into the second day, the focus shifted to ultra-large and ultra-high-definition display technologies. Twelve industry experts and senior analysts engaged in in-depth discussions on topics related to the ultra-large and ultra-high-definition display industry.

Technological Evolution and Application Innovations of Micro LED Displays
Eric Chiou, Senior Deputy General Manager of Research, TrendForce

After transitioning from laboratory technology to commercialization, the current development focus of Micro LED display technology lies in optimizing design and manufacturing, identifying niche markets, developing new applications, and expanding market scale.

For large displays, increasing the backplane size to reduce splicing and the need for additional edge circuit processing is another cost-reduction and yield-improvement strategy. Although the wearables sector currently lacks strong momentum from mainstream brands, Micro LED remains unique as the only display technology that can be highly integrated with sensing components. The automotive and near-eye display markets are the next key application areas for glass-based and silicon-based Micro LED. The former is expected to generate over $100 million in chip revenue by 2028, while the latter is projected to achieve a penetration rate of up to 50% in all AR glasses in the mid-to-long term.

In summary, leveraging the unique advantages of Micro LED displays, such as flexibility, transparency, and invisibility, to identify niche applications is essential to differentiating this technology from mainstream solutions. Moreover, the application of Micro LED in non-display fields such as optical communications, biomedical sectors, and industrial production is gradually expanding, providing another crucial pathway to increase market scale and application diversity.

Embracing the Future: Development of New-Generation Displays by K&D Technology
Fu Yaosheng, Director of Research Institute, K&D Technology

With high-brightness Mini LED technology at its core, K&D Technology has developed a range of new display applications, including HUD PGU, aerial imaging, light field displays, and wood-grain displays.

As an essential tool for in-vehicle information display, HUD technology has evolved from traditional C-HUD to W-HUD and is gradually advancing toward AR-HUD. High-brightness Mini LED backlight technology effectively addresses the shortcomings of existing TFTs in AR-HUD PGUs. Based on this, K&D Technology has developed solutions for HUD PGU, as well as first-level and second-level mirrors.

Aerial imaging technology is widely used in fields such as information security, medical displays, and intelligent in-vehicle systems. K&D Technology provides high-brightness local dimming Mini LED backlit LCD modules paired with high-resolution negative refraction glass, achieving precise spatial imaging.

The imaging angle can be adjusted based on requirements, making it suitable for automotive displays, smart home applications, education, and high-end consumer electronics.

Light field display technology overcomes the limitations of physical space within vehicles and can be widely applied to in-cabin holographic entertainment screens, vision-protection learning devices, and consumer-grade large displays.

Meanwhile, intelligent wood-grain surface display technology integrates luxury automotive interior design with smart display and control functions, transforming wood-grain trim from a purely decorative element into an innovative functional application.

Applications and Future Trends of LED Display Control Systems
Lin Xianmeng, Director of Research Laboratory, NovaStar

The continued penetration of MLED technology in applications such as xR virtual production, cinema screens, automotive displays, and televisions is driving constant upgrades in the user’s display experience. In this process, display control systems have become amplifiers of value for new display technologies.

With years of expertise in display control systems, NovaStar has developed a series of advanced display control technologies, including ultra-large capacity controllers, multi-backup technology, fault monitoring and warning systems, full-system synchronization of display and shooting, high-quality image and color perception processing, as well as rapid screen configuration and scene-switching technologies. Leveraging these innovations, NovaStar has successfully contributed to several milestone projects.

Currently, NovaStar is fully focusing on five key display technology groups—grayscale resolution, temporal resolution, spatial resolution, dynamic range, and color gamut—alongside intelligent display technologies. Through continuous technological innovation, the company is committed to driving ongoing improvements in display performance.

Commercialization Progress of TFT-Based Micro-LED Splicing Screens
Cao Xuan, Deputy General Manager & CTO, VISTAR

The market outlook for large-size display products remains promising. However, existing large-size (>120”) display technologies face three major pain points: low image quality, visible seams, and poor eye protection.

TFT-based Micro LED displays offer unique advantages in large-size applications, delivering exceptional image quality for a cinematic viewing experience, achieving seamless splicing, and providing eye-friendly comfort for users.

However, during the manufacturing process of TFT-based Micro LED splicing displays, factors such as LED chip performance, mass transfer array characteristics, and fragile substrates pose challenges to overall product performance. The mass production of these displays faces four key issues: poor uniformity, frequent dead pixels, visible seams, and divided viewing angles.

VISTAR has pioneered a globally innovative Mixed Bin + Demura solution to ensure pixel-level image uniformity. Its highly efficient multi-repair technology guarantees defect-free screens, while the integrated splicing solution achieves seamless connections, creating an almost invisible visual fusion.

Additionally, the Micro-Lens structure design reshapes the emission angle, ensuring image consistency across wide viewing angles. With these technical challenges being overcome, VISTAR will next focus on supply chain collaboration to reduce costs, driving the market entry of high-quality and cost-effective TFT-based Micro LED splicing display products.

The New Future of LED Display Chips
Xiang Qidi, Head of Direct Display Sales, BOE HC SemiTek

LED display technology is evolving from “point light sources” to “surface light sources,” accelerating the adoption of COB and MIP technologies in small-pitch and ultra-fine-pitch markets. The Mini LED market will continue to expand, particularly in high-resolution, small-pitch, and ultra-high-definition (UHD) displays. Meanwhile, Micro LED technology, often regarded as the “ultimate display solution,” will play an increasingly significant role in large indoor display screens, HUDs, matrix car lights, smartwatches, AR/VR glasses, televisions, and more.

In LED display chip solutions, BOE HC SemiTek has introduced the Human Centric True Colour (HC True Colour) series, designed for high-color-gamut and HDR content creation.

This series aims to achieve the most accurate color reproduction and enhance terminal display effects. The first product in this series, F07E-BE, features high color gamut, superior image quality, high reliability, and low power consumption.

Furthermore, the Micro Pixel Device (MPD) platform, representing a new generation of display technology, enhances display performance and ease of use. The MU300 and MU200 are currently the best solutions for ultra-fine-pitch applications and are among the flagship products of the HC True Colour series.

The Micro MPD, hailed as the “ultimate display technology,” offers ultra-high contrast, optimal white balance viewing angles, improved die-bonding efficiency and yield rates, and superior performance for fine-pitch applications. The HC True Colour series continues to evolve, with further developments underway.

Mini LED TV: Industrialization and Commercialization Trends
Liao Yansuo, Product Director, BMTC

The shipment volume of Mini LED backlight products in the television market is rising year by year. Particularly in the high-end market, Mini LED is becoming a strong competitor to OLED, thanks to its advantages in high contrast, high brightness, and low power consumption.

BMTC has formulated three key market strategies:

  1. High-end market: Focused on products with over 3,000 dimming zones, delivering superior image quality.
  2. Mid-range market: Centered on products with 500–2,000 dimming zones, lowering the entry barrier and promoting Mini LED adoption.
  3. Cost-performance segment: Targeting products with 100–500 dimming zones, balancing affordability and performance to cater to mass-market consumers.

For industrialization and commercialization, penetrating lower-tier markets requires reducing consumer costs. This can be achieved by leveraging cost-effectiveness to drive sales volume and, in turn, achieving economies of scale. Specific measures include:

  • LED Design: Reducing costs by enlarging chip size, increasing power efficiency, decreasing chip count, and widening chip spacing.
  • Optical Design: Incorporating large-angle chips and adjusting OP values based on light emission angles.
  • PCB Optimization: Reducing costs by optimizing board area, increasing panel utilization, and lowering precision requirements.
  • Driver Chips: Advancing towards higher voltage, larger currents, and multi-channel solutions to meet the performance demands of Mini LED TVs.

In the Mini LED backlight sector, BMTC benefits from vertical integration. Its upstream semiconductor division, MLS Semiconductor, has achieved a monthly production capacity of 1.1 million 4-inch wafers, significantly supporting BMTC’s market expansion. Currently, BMTC leads the industry with 100 SMT production lines for Mini LED, covering product categories such as top-emitting LEDs, flip-chip LEDs, and Mini LEDs (lens-free).

Development Trends of MLED Direct Display Large Screens: From Technology to Applications
Lu Zhenghua, Deputy General Manager, Skyworth Commercial

The development of MLED direct display large screens mainly focuses on LED modules, display panels, and complete system solutions. In terms of LED modules, Skyworth Commercial has introduced the Black Domain S Series SCOB packaging technology and a 4-in-1 aluminum alloy bracket to enhance panel uniformity, contrast ratio, and refresh rate while optimizing energy consumption.

The evolution of complete systems is characterized by de-engineering, standardization, intelligence, and integration.

In terms of audiovisual perception, the development of MLED direct display large screens can be summarized as “better visuals, better sound, and better usability.”

Better visuals: Hardware and tuning ensure fundamental display quality, while the Skyworth AI Picture Quality Engine enhances image performance through full-frame, full-scene detection.

Better sound: The Tianlai Panoramic Sound System features built-in dual-frequency high-fidelity speakers and an independent cavity design for clear and realistic audio.

Better usability: Features include customizable desktop layouts and multimodal interaction, while the CoolOpen AI system enables various AI-powered functionalities through voice control.

For application scenarios, MLED direct display large screens are expanding into corporate meetings, exhibitions, and entertainment.

  • Corporate meetings: Wireless screen mirroring and touch annotation enhance meeting efficiency.
  • Exhibitions: The Xiaowei Playback System connects display devices, enabling seamless content interaction and an immersive smart experience.
  • Entertainment: Large-screen gaming, karaoke parties, and movie-watching integrate with game controllers and sound systems to fulfill home entertainment needs.

Color Calibration: Unlocking the Key to Visual Excellence in MLED Displays
Ruan Shi’an, Head of MLED Visual & Imaging Research Center, Colorlight

In real-world applications, MLED screens face several color-related challenges, including brightness and color inconsistencies, low-gray mottling, IC color patches, cold and hot screen-related color shifts, temperature drift, grayscale jumps, chromatic aberration, nonlinear electro-optical responses, difficulties in manufacturing quality control, and ink color uniformity issues. These factors impact visual performance, especially in high-demand applications.

To address these issues, Colorlight has introduced the MLED Color Calibration Solution, built around the scientific-grade CCM6000 calibration system, which includes a high-precision calibration camera and professional Calibration Pro software.

The CCM6000 features a 16-bit high-precision photosensitive chip and a thermoelectric cooling system, enabling ±1% brightness and ±0.003 chromaticity precision. It supports full grayscale calibration and can complete a 4K calibration in just 8 minutes, significantly improving efficiency.

On the hardware side, Colorlight has launched two key automation solutions:

Mica310 Automated Calibration Equipment: Ensures high precision, fast calibration, and strong compatibility for seamless management from production to on-site deployment.

Mica310B Ink Color Sorting Equipment: Supports PCB and MLED finished module ink color sorting, with a production capacity of 220 pieces per hour.

Digital Cinema LED Projection Technology and Market Outlook
Dong Zhigang, General Manager, Cinema Division, Unilumin Group

Achieving high technical standards in digital cinema LED projection systems requires not only superior LED display performance and hardware safety compliance but also full-screen color management and integration with digital cinema playback servers (IMB) to decode and play Digital Cinema Package (DCP) files in real time, ensuring high-speed data transmission.

Digital cinema LED projection systems are being adopted in various cinema formats, including:

  • LED cinemas
  • Transparent sound LED cinemas
  • Immersive cinemas
  • Dome cinemas
  • AI interactive cinemas
  • Esports cinemas

Unilumin has supplied cinema solutions to locations in Beijing, Xinjiang, Chengdu, Wuhan, Zhejiang, and the U.S., and has launched the world’s first 20-meter 4K transparent-sound LED movie screen, which has been deployed at Deji Plaza Cinema in Nanjing.

In terms of cinema LED audio technology, traditional speakers cannot be placed behind an LED screen as in conventional projection systems. To solve issues like sound image displacement and sound quality degradation, various specialized audio solutions have been developed, including:

  1. Sound image and wave field synthesis techniques
  2. Sound wave reflection methods
  3. Perforated transparent-sound LED screens, with design options such as:
  • Localized perforation transparent-sound screens
  • Full-screen perforation transparent-sound screens

As the DCI (Digital Cinema Initiatives) standards continue to evolve, LED projection systems are advancing toward higher resolutions and greater dynamic range.

Future innovations will focus on perforation optimization and intelligent system management, with color gamuts expected to expand to BT-2020 standards for deeper color depth. With strong government support, the LED cinema screen market is poised for significant growth.

Cost Pressure and Technological Innovation: The Make-or-Break Path for Expanding the Mid-to-Large Size OLED Market
Zhou Shibo, Research Manager, TrendForce

Starting in the second half of 2026, two 8.6-generation RGB OLED factories will begin mass production. Panel manufacturers are investing in higher-generation production lines to increase capacity, optimize processes, and reduce unit costs.

By 2027, as IT OLED panel production capacity further expands, the Apple MacBook is expected to be a key driver of OLED laptop market growth. As a leading global brand, Apple’s large-scale adoption of OLED panels will have a profound impact on the entire market.

Global LED Display Market Trends and Outlook
Yu Bin, Research Manager, TrendForce

According to TrendForce data, the 2024 Chinese LED display market is experiencing moderate demand, while the overseas market continues to grow.

From a technology perspective, COB (Chip-on-Board) technology is maintaining high-speed growth, and MiP (Micro LED in Package) technology is also gaining attention.

The long-term competition between these two technologies is expected to drive the modularization of LED displays, leading to significant changes in the industry landscape.

From a product perspective, technological advancements are enabling new applications for LED displays, becoming a key market growth driver. Moreover, LED displays are increasingly integrating with other trending industries, such as film production and AI applications, to enhance overall value.

While competition between technologies is driving continuous price declines, these lower costs will also spur the development of new applications, expand the market to more small and medium-sized customers, and facilitate global market expansion.

Overall, TrendForce projects that the global LED display market will reach $10.2 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7% from 2023 to 2028.

TrendForce 2024 Micro LED Market Trend and Technology Cost Analysis
Release: 31 May / 30 November 2024
Language: Traditional Chinese / English
Format: PDF
Page: 160-180

TrendForce 2025 Global LED Video Wall Market Outlook and Price Cost Analysis
Release Date: 30 September 2024
Language: Traditional Chinese / English
Format: PDF
Page: 302

If you would like to know more details , please contact:

Global Contact:
 
ShenZhen:
Grace Li
E-mail :  Graceli@trendforce.com
Tel : +886-2-8978-6488 ext.916
  Perry Wang
E-mail :  Perrywang@trendforce.cn
Tel : +86-755-82838931 ext.6800
Disclaimers of Warranties
1. The website does not warrant the following:
1.1 The services from the website meets your requirement;
1.2 The accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the service;
1.3 The accuracy, reliability of conclusions drawn from using the service;
1.4 The accuracy, completeness, or timeliness, or security of any information that you download from the website
2. The services provided by the website is intended for your reference only. The website shall be not be responsible for investment decisions, damages, or other losses resulting from use of the website or the information contained therein<
Proprietary Rights
You may not reproduce, modify, create derivative works from, display, perform, publish, distribute, disseminate, broadcast or circulate to any third party, any materials contained on the services without the express prior written consent of the website or its legal owner.

The prior blog titled “Nichia’s contribution to a realization of a mercury-free society” took a short break. However, there was a release about new LED-based water disinfection devices made by Miura Co., Ltd., a Japanese manu... READ MORE

Violumas aims to provide the best variety of high-performance UVA, UVB, and UVC LEDs, encapsulated with the highest quality fused silica optics. The wide selection of beam angles (30°, 60°, 90°, 120°, and 135°) allows Violu... READ MORE