Heya folks, thanks for a fantastic resource! I have been looking around, thru the FAQs, etc, but have not come across a "master list" of what manufacturers make which brand name LCD or plasma panels.... can anyone post a link? thanks!!

Don't think such a list exists, and if it did, it would probably change on a monthly basis.

a-ha, that may be the source of my overall confusion.. I have gotten info all over the map..... for example:


GE is parent company of LG
Phillips makes LG panels
Pioneer does (doesn't) make their own panels
Samsung makes panels for Sony

etc etc etc

Most of that is wrong.

For example:
S-LCD is a joint venture between Sony and Samsung. They supply panels to both Sony and Samsung (and others).

Phillips doesn't make panels for LG. LG.Phillips is a joint venture between LG and Phillips for making large LCD panels. GE does not own LG.

These are the major panel makers in the LCD TV Panel market:
Sharp
S-LCD (Samsung/Sony)
LG.Phillips
AUO (AU Optronics)
CMO (Chi Mei Optoelectronics)
CPT (Chunghwa Picture Tubes)

Generally in the larger sizes (>32") they provide their own panels. Meaning a 37" Sharp Aquos is very likely to have a Sharp LCD panel in it. Or a Sony 46" XBR3 is going to have a S-LCD panel it it. At 32" and below it's anyone's guess whose panel they're using.

As you can also see Vizio, Westinghouse, Syntax Olevia, and just about everyone else doesn't make their own panels. They may be buying from any of the above manufacturers (including Sharp, S-LCD, & LG.Phillips). However, they could be buying 2nds (for example: panels with too many defects for Sharp to use for themselves) or panels made on older gen lines that don't have the same performance of the newest (for example, Sharp's newest panels can do 3000:1 CR. Their older lines may spit out 1000:1 panels that they're selling to the other LCD TV makers).

thanks s/d!
that's 'zactly the primer I needed. As I listed above, I have been getting mixed(wrong) info. I have read about the first tier vs 2nd or 3rd tier "brands", but was obviously still mis-informed of the basics.

....is there a similar guide for the plasma manu's?

....is there a way to trace manu thru the serial numbers..such as blank DVD media has the Media codes? ...

I ask this due to the postings I see about the problems with the uneven backlights/clouding/etc on certain LCDs.....

thanks again

I was told that Vizio uses the same panels as Sony/Samsung.

I was told that Vizio uses the same panels as Sony/Samsung.It's possible they're using some panels made by Samsung/Sony, but don't fall for the trick that person is trying to pull. Just because S-LCD makes both panels for all three doesn't mean that Sony, Samsung, and Vizio LCD TVs will have the same image quality.

Yes, Stereodude is correct. Just because a manufacturer uses the same panel as a higher end brand, it doesn't mean that they will have equal picture quality. The internal components (i.e. processors and front end equipment) can dramatically effect PQ.

Just because a manufacturer uses the same panel as a higher end brand, it doesn't mean that they will have equal picture quality.And there's no guarantee it is the same panel even if it is made by a high end brand. It might be made on an older gen line that doesn't have the same performance as their newer lines.

And there's no guarantee it is the same panel even if it is made by a high end brand. It might be made on an older gen line that doesn't have the same performance as their newer lines.

Very true, just because the same company mfg'ers the glass, it could have from an older generation from the same make. Gets confusing, huh? For me personally. I'm even more concerned about the "guts" of the particular display...the electronics & w/the video processing & build quality. There's quite a lot to be considering when buying todays displays, and it can be tougher than buying a car. My advice is to educate yourself on these Forums and when you enter a salesroom in some big box store you wil be armed w/this knowledge so some sales monkey can't spout off some BS you don't know the answer already. You don't need to be an expert. just informed.