SZ releases operational guidelines to boost ultra-HD video display industry

Shenzhen has recentlyintroduced new operational guidelines to support the development of its ultra-high-definition (UHD) video display industry.

The guidelines were formulated to implement the Several Measures for Promoting the High-Quality Development of the Ultra-High-Definition Video Display Industry Cluster in Shenzhen, standardize the organization and execution of the industry support plan led by the municipal industry and information technology bureau, and enhance the efficiency and management of special funds. They align with municipal regulations on the administration of special financial funds.

The guidelines define the UHD video display industry as a comprehensive sector encompassing cutting-edge technologies, manufacturing processes, and industrial advancements.

The industry focuses on key display technologies, including thin-film transistor liquid crystal displays (TFT-LCD), organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), active matrix organic light-emitting diodes (AMOLED), Mini/Micro-LED, quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLED), printed displays, near-eye displays, laser displays, ultra-thin transparent displays, flexible displays, and 3D displays. It covers research, development, manufacturing, and application of related materials, equipment, components, and products.

Beyond hardware, the guidelines also highlight the broader UHD video display ecosystem, encompassing content acquisition, production, network transmission, platform services, standards development, and industry applications. The initiative aims to drive technological innovation and enhance manufacturing capabilities.

Matching financial support will be offered for major UHD video display projects initiated by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Department of Industry and Information Technology of Guangdong Province. These projects, referred to as national and provincial projects, will receive funding based on the allocation methods used at the national and provincial levels.

According to the guidelines, the city will provide matching funds at a ratio of up to 1:1 based on the national or provincial funding already disbursed. The combined national and municipal funding will not exceed 50% of the total project investment, while the combined provincial and municipal funding will be capped at 40% of the total investment.

Supply chain collaboration projects refer to initiatives designed to encourage UHD video display terminal and panel manufacturers to enhance supply chain integration, foster collaboration with core material, component, and equipment suppliers, and jointly address technical challenges. These projects also reward the inclusion of new supply chain partners and the establishment of stable procurement agreements. The funding mechanism follows a post-event subsidy model. Eligible manufacturers can receive rewards of up to 20% of the verified contract value, with a maximum annual reward per enterprise capped at 10 million yuan (US$1.377 million).

Standard terminal application projects refer to initiatives that provide financial support to enterprises for the development, production, and sales of terminal products that adopt UHD audiovisual standards with significant innovative and industry-leading impact, such as AVS3 and the unified multimedia interconnection interface. The funding will be provided through post-event subsidies. Enterprises applying for one standard can receive subsidies of up to 0.5‰ of their verified annual sales revenue, while those applying for two or more standards can receive subsidies of up to 1% of their verified annual sales revenue.

Standards within the same series will be counted as one standard. Each company can receive only one subsidy per product category under the same standard during the policy period, with a maximum subsidy of 2 million yuan per project.

The program covers a wide range of products, including television terminals, set-top boxes, cameras, interactive all-in-one machines, computer monitors, surveillance monitors, projectors, LED display screens, decoders, media players, as well as mobile phones, tablets, and laptops that support UHD video display.