TOKYO--According to a recent report by Bloomberg, Samsung Electronics and Sharp will be supplying the liquid-crystal display panels (LCDs) for Sony's upcoming portable device, the PSP. An unnamed Sharp official tipped off Bloomberg, commenting that the order from Sony is “huge” and that the LCD panels will measure between four and five inches diagonally.

　　Sony Computer Entertainment declined to make any statements, saying that it would not comment on who won the contract for its PSP panels, whether it had been signed, or any other details. Samsung and Sharp also declined comment on the deal. However, in January, Samsung hinted that it was involved in a big project that involved small-sized LCDs for devices such as game machines and PDAs.

　　According to analysts, Samsung and Sharp's sales could rise by a combined $400 million if they do indeed get the contract for Sony’s PSP LCD panels. The two companies could also rack up additional sales if they sign a contract to supply the semiconductor chips that go along with the LCDs.

　　The LCD market for portable game devices is currently being led by Sharp, which produces all of the panels for Nintendo's Game Boy family. With its current production lines in full operation, Sharp invested $4 million into a new factory that just began operating this month. However, analysts speculate that Sharp's production capacity will still not be enough for the PSP, which is why Sony is signing with Samsung as well.

　　While Sony and Samsung announced late last year that they will be coestablishing a new company that is dedicated to LCD productions, it’s unlikely that the company will have any relation to the PSP. Its production lines will specialize in creating seventh-generation Amorphous TFT displays for larger machines such as laptop PCs and flat TV screens.