AU Optronics Announced the World’s First 16:9 Full HD 24-inch TFT-LCD for Desktop Monitor

HSINCHU, March 11 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- AU Optronics Corp. ("AUO" or the "Company") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO) today announced the world’s first 16:9 Full HD TFT-LCD with 1920 x 1080 resolution for desktop monitor. The 16:9 wide format display is perfect for desktop computers to run the emerging digital media and full HD contents. AUO’s new 24-inch LCD panel combines the stylish thin and eco-friendly designs to introduce AUO’s product lines for MoniTV application. The company’s MoniTV LCD panels adopt the resolutions of Full HD 1080p applicable to both TVs and monitors, and are expected to lead the new trend of widescreen desktop monitor market.

Full HD 1080p high resolutions to display digital media content efficiently

The 24-inch LCD panel is AUO’s first 16:9 product for MoniTV application aimed at the combined usage of high definition videos and desktop computers. The resolution of Full HD 1080p is supported by traditional monitors and high definition contents. The 1080p display capability provides excellent image quality for Blu-Ray DVD playback or High Definition TV broadcasting and solves the problem of distorted image when playing such high definition contents on LCDs with conventional 16:10 1680x1050 WSXGA+ or 1920x1200 WUXGA resolutions. It can further provide solutions to the problem of memory buffer allocation on desktop computers and enable users to view perfect high definition contents.

14-mm thinness module featuring ultra thin and light stylish design ready for mass production

AUO improved the mechanical and optical technologies of medium-sized monitor panels and developed new ultra thin and slim bezel technology for large-sized products. The new technology successfully prevents lamp-mura issues easily occurred when reducing the thickness on large-sized LCD panels and provides high uniformity for close look. The ultra thin and light technology also offers more possibilities for monitor industrial design. Compared with the conventional 24-inch monitor panel, AUO is able to reduce over 50% of the module thickness from 35 mm to 14 mm.

The new environmental friendly technology, saving up to 50% in power consumption

AUO has aggressively utilized its “Green Solutions” initiative beginning this year. The practice of environmental-friendly product design is one of the missions. AUO optimized the optical performance and reduced the amount of CCFL backlights of this 24-inch monitor panel. As a result, the power consumption is reduced by up to 50%. With less than half of the energy, the brightness can be retained as 300 nits and contrast ratio reached 1000:1. Furthermore, taking the average 50,000 hours life of a typical LCD monitor for example, the new technology can save consumers 2,500 watts of power which are equal to 1.6 tons of carbon emission reduction.

AUO will continue to develop a series of 16:9 LCD panels for MoniTV application to meet the emerging trends of the convergence between the consumer monitor and personal TV with Full HD resolution. The full lineup includes 15-inch, 18.5-inch, 21.5-inch, 24-inch, 27-inch and 32-inch. Except for the commercialized 15-inch LCD panel, the 27-inch is scheduled to make mass market debut in the forth quarter of 2008. All other models will be mass produced in the second quarter of this year to lead in the 16:9 widescreen monitor panel market.

ABOUT AU OPTRONICS

AU Optronics Corp. (“AUO”) is the world largest manufacturer* of large-size thin film transistor liquid crystal display panels (“TFT-LCD”), with approximately 20.3%* of global market share with revenues of NT$480.2 billion (US$14.81billion)* in 2007. TFT-LCD technology is currently the most widely used flat panel display technology. Targeted for 40”+ sized LCD TV panels, AUO’s new generation (7.5-generation) fabrication facility production started mass production in the fourth quarter of 2006. The Company currently operates one 7.5-generation, two 6th-generation, four 5th-generation, one 4th-generation, and four 3.5-generation TFT- LCD fabs, in addition to eight module assembly facilities and the AUO Technology Center specializes in new technology platform and new product development. AUO is one of few top-tier TFT-LCD manufacturers capable of offering a wide range of small- to large- size (1.5”-65”) TFT-LCD panels, which enables it to offer a broad and diversified product portfolio.

* DisplaySearch 4Q2007 WW Large-Area TFT-LCD Shipment Report dated Jan 23, 2008. This data is used as reference only and AUO does not make any endorsement or representation in connection therewith. 2007 year end revenue converted by an exchange rate of NTD32.43:USD1.