S-LCD Corp., a joint venture between Samsung Electronics Co. and Sony Corp. have shipped the first LCD panels produced from its 8th Generation Line. S-LCD's 8th Generation Line is capable of processing the world's largest motherglass substrates, measuring 2,200mm by 2,500mm, according to a report by Information Display.

"We have remained a step ahead of the competition in terms of production scale and timing," said S-LCD CEO Won-kie Chang. "Our sights are now on LCD TVs in the 50-in. class and we aim to lead that segment. Our success with the 7G line will continue with the new 8G line operation, and we will grow into the world's largest LCD maker."

LCD panels shipped from this 8G line mark a major turning point in the market for LCD TVs in the 50-in. (diagonal) class, Samsung and Sony said in their joint release. With the 7G line, which is already in operation, S-LCD said it has sufficient capacity to meet demand for 40-in. panels. The 8G line is slated to supply 46-in. and 52-in. panels, evident in the contents of the first shipment of 52-in. LCD panels for full-HD TVs. The 8G line will reach its full monthly output of 50,000 panels by the end of the year, the companies said. According to Scott Birnbaum, Vice President for Samsung LCD Business, the joint venture between Samsung and Sony has allowed for rapid ramp up on the Gen 8 plant.

"The joint venture allows us to set standards (in terms of manufacturing and product)," he said. "For fabs like this, the investment is huge - in the billions of dollars. This joint-venture helps to mitigate the risk associated with that investment. But it also allows us to roll out plans much quicker. Standardization makes that process much more efficient."

Birnbaum recalled how the audience at SID 2005 gasped when Samsung LCD Business president Sang Wan Lee predicted during his keynote address that 100 million LCD TVs will be sold by 2010. Today, Birnbaum added, that projection can be pulled in by at least a year, thanks to investments in both the Gen 8 plant and Samsung's two Gen 7 plants.