While Korea-based TV makers have begun volume production of direct-type LED-backlit TVs for the entry-level market, fellow Taiwan makers are expected to start shipping comparable models by the end of 2011 or early 2012, according to industry sources.

In 2011, edge-type LED-backlit TVs are the mainstream LED TV models, but the hardware specifications for those models are high, resulting in major price differences between CCFL and LED sets, noted the sources.

However, the employment of direct-type LED-backlit technology has brought down LED TV prices, said the sources, adding that the price differences between the mainstream 32-, 40- and 42-inch CCFL and direct-type LED TVs have narrowed to 5%-7% recently. Besides, the CCFL and direct-type LED TVs are now comparable in thickness.

The penetration rate of LED TVs in the global TV market reached about 40% in the third quarter of 2011 and the ratio is expected to top 50% in the first quarter of 2012, the sources estimated.