While AU Optronics (AUO) does expect to continue seeing profits from the Ultra HD TV panel segment, the company estimates global Ultra HD TV shipments to only be around one million units in 2013, according to vice president of AUO's information technology display business group Michael Tsai.

　　AUO, which in the second quarter of 2013 saw its shipments of large-size panels reach around 30.5 million units, up 13.2% on quarter, as well as seeing shipments of Ultra HD TV panels double on quarter, expects to see global shipments of Ultra HD TVs reach only one million units despite higher global estimates by market observers. Tsai said, adding that AUO is expected to be responsible for a large portion of the panels provided and that the company still has healthy reserves of the technology.

　　Tsai also said that AUO expects global shipments of Ultra HD TVs to reach four million units in 2014 and that the gap between Ultra HD TV and Full HD TV panel pricing is expected to drop further.

　　The vice president also revealed that AUO has plans to produce 42- and 50-inch Ultra HD TV panels in addition to 55- and 65-inch units.

　　Tsai also said AUO is optimistic about its Ultra HD TV panel shipments nearing the Black Friday holiday period in the US as well as during the October 1 holiday period in China. AUO is also seeing demand pick up in eastern Europe as well as in Japan.

　　Meanwhile, AUO recently said that looking into the third quarter, TV vendors have entered into a period of inventory adjustment following the end of the energy subsidies program in China, but that AUO will nevertheless focus on product differentiation, increasing its average panel sizes, and advancing product specifications.