November 1999

NEWS & ANALYSIS
Application Specific Integrated Lenses (ASIL) Debut
An Application Specific Integrated Lens (ASIL) is a new device concept that could have a major impact on reducing the cost, complexity and bulk of field-sequential color systems for both projection and near-to-eye microdisplay-based products. The technology, developed by DigiLens, Inc., can be used to replace conventional glass or plastic optical elements with a thin, electrically switchable device. ASILs offer a full-color diffractive optics solution.

Epson Debuts HDTV Display, Other Improvements
Epson Corporation used the Japan Electronics Show to quietly show their new HDTV poly-silicon panel. The 1.2-inch microdisplay features 1280 x 720 pixels allowing it to present 720p high-definition signals in their native mode.

Sanyo Develops First LTPS Microdisplay
Sanyo Electric Company, Ltd. has developed the world's first low temperature poly-silicon (LTPS) microdisplay, which we define as a display that requires magnification for proper viewing. Coming in Q2'00 will be the ALP021, a 0.55 inch color LCD display with 521 x 218 pixels and a dot pitch of 0.0216 x 0.384 mm.

Sharp to Ship CGS TV in November, Maybe
Last year at the Japan Electronics Show, Sharp Corporation began to show a rear-projection HDTV prototype using an internally developed display technology called continuous grain silicon (CGS). This year at the same show, they announced that 60-inch, HDTV-ready sets would finally go on sale in Japan in November.

New OEL Displays
The recent Japan Electronic Show was the venue for the unveiling of several new display technologies from both Sanyo Electric Company, Ltd. and Pioneer Corporation. This included the first low temperature poly-silicon (LTPS) microdisplay from Sanyo (see related story), and new color organic light emitting device (OLED) displays from both companies.

Hana Off to a Good Start
Hana Microdisplay Technologies President and CEO, Luc Bauer, says the company has already gained an impressive client list. "We are now very close to having 10 customers funding development work on liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) microdisplays." That is impressive considering the Thai-base Hana Group signed a letter of intent to buy the LCOS facility from S-Vision only last June.

Hitachi Shows New DLP Panel
Hitachi's Digital Media Systems R&D Division used the Japan Electronics Show in early October to demonstrate the current fruits of their single-panel, rear-projection HDTV project with Texas Instruments. On display was a simple rear-projection system with a 60-inch diagonal screen.

Sumitomo to Distribute CMD Microdisplays
As microdisplay companies gear up to begin mass production, they are also working to establish the distribution infrastructure to sell the devices. This month it is Colorado MicroDisplay, Inc. that has announced a sales and distribution agreement with Sumitomo Corporation.

New SOI Wafer Process Offers Display Opportunities
A two-year old start-up company, Silicon Genesis Corporation, has developed a new silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology that they hope will offer microdisplay developers some new options. Having just raised $30M in two rounds of funding, the plan now is to get a new volume manufacturing facility in San Jose up and producing samples by early next year.

APPLICATIONS
Digital Still Cameras
Analysis of opportunities in the DSC market from IDC, a new CCD technology from Fuji Photo Film Company and a wrap up of new products from Ricoh, Fuji Photo Film, Kodak, Canon, and Largan Inc.

Front Projection (with Table)
Wrap-up of product introductions and industry news from Lightware, Sharp Electronics, ViewSonic, Hitachi America, Sony Electronics, The Victor Company of Japan (JVC), Runco International, Harman International, Proxima Corp., IBM Corp. and InFocus.

Headsets
Wrap-up of product introductions and industry news from VeeAreCity.com, Interactive Imaging Systems, Sony, EON Reality, InterSense, n-Vision, Shimadzu Corporation, Optics 1, and Microvision.

Visualization/Simulation
Wrap-up of product introductions and industry news from Fakespace Systems, Trimension Systems Ltd., and SGI.

Camcorders
Wrap-up of product introductions and industry news from The Victor Company of Japan (JVC) and Canon USA.

MARKET INTELLIGENCE
Study Says DTV Conversion Plan In Disarray - Strategy Analytics
LCD Panel Shortage Expected to Worsen - IDC and DisplaySearch
Young Consumers Embrace Toy Digital Cameras - IDC and InfoTrends Research Group

BOTTOM LINE
Three-Five Posts 74% Sales Increase in Q3
Q3 Revenues Better than Expected for InFocus
Planar Systems Begins Restructuring Effort
Chartered Semiconductor Files For U.S. IPO
Photon Dynamics Sets Quarterly Records
Cree Research Makes Strong Q1 Showing
Donner Issues Buy Recommendation on Xybernaut
Ballantyne Considers Possible Sale or Merger
Laser Power Retains Cruttenden Roth

MOVERS & SHAKERS
Personnel changes from Three-Five Systems and Universal Display Corporation