Austin (TX) - LCD has become the most popular TV screen technology in the fourth quarter of 2007. For the first time, LCD TVs outshipped cathode ray tube (CRT) TVs, according to Displaysearch.

The market research firm estimates that LCD TVs captured a 47% share of the global TV market, which reached 60.8 million units in the fourth quarter of the year. CRT TVs held a 46% share while RPTVs and plasma display panel (PDP) TVs are estimated at 7%.

LCD TVs continued their strong growth, gaining 56% to a record of 28.5 million units during the quarter. For the entire year, Displaysearch estimated that about 79.3 million LCD TVs were shipped, translating into a 40% of the total market of 200 million TVs. On a revenue basis, LCD TVs are dominating the $100 billion market with more than $68 billion in sales during 2007.

Displaysearch said that LCD TVs have gained market share in all global regions in 2007. LCD penetration was highest in developed regions, reaching 86% in Japan, 84% in Western Europe and 78% in North America. Western Europe regained the share lead as the top region for LCD TV shipments, rising from 28% to 32%, overtaking North America, which fell from 33% to 31%.

Contributing to the success of LCD TVs is what the market research firm calls a natural replacement process for CRTs. LCD is the only other technology that extends down to screen sizes of less than 20", which makes it an attractive technology for many applications. And consumers are willing to paying a premium for slimmer TVs: CRT TVs have fallen from 77% of global TV shipments in Q1 2006 to 46% in Q4 2007, even with LCD prices commanding a 224% premium for 32" and smaller screen sizes.

LCD TVs also saw share gains against RPTV and PDP devices for screen sizes of 40" and higher, as larger LCD panel fabs are producing larger screen sizes more cost effectively. LCD share of 40" and larger TVs has grown from 44% to 65% year over year on a unit basis while PDP TV has fallen from 40% to 31% and RPTV is down from 16% to 3%.

The average screen size of TVs sold climbed above 32" for the first time in Q4 2007; 1080p-capable TVs now hold a 17% share overall and a 57% share in TVs with a screen size of 40" or larger.