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June 2000
NEWS & ANALYSIS
LCOS Light Engines Storm
SID'2000
One of the
most important results of SID'2000 was the abundance of projection light
engines based upon liquid-crystal-on-silicon (LCOS) technology. This appears to
be evidence of the maturing infrastructure for LCOS and complementary
technologies. Not only are advances in optical coatings, polarization
recapture, and arc lamps proceeding, but whole new architectures and new
optical elements are emerging. All of this is needed to help developers realize
their dream of offering LCOS-based projection systems with superior performance
at less cost.
For example,
Michael Greenberg of OCLI (Santa Rosa, CA), presented a new three-panel optical
architecture in paper 9.2 which they called the OCLI Prism. It is a modified
Philips prism configuration that incorporates two identically shaped prisms and
one somewhat larger prism that is designed for use with reflective LCOS panels.
Interestingly,
Nikon Corporation's (Tokyo, Japan) engine on display in the Three-Five Systems
(Tempe, AZ) booth on the show floor was exactly the same architecture. When we
asked Nikon officials about this, they said the design was arrived at
independently from OCLI. However, OCLI officials say both have filed patents
for the design so a fight may be brewing.
Aurora Systems Respins
SXGA Panel
Aurora
Systems (San Jose, CA) reports they are working on a redesigned SXGA panel
based upon liquid-crystal-on-silicon (LCOS) technology. By July, they hope to
have the first devices ready for evaluation, with a driver ASIC to follow
later.
JVC to Offer Panels the
OEMs, Hints at New Panels
In a strategic new initiative, microdisplay developer JVC
(Kanagawa, Japan) has decided to offer their D-ILA (Digital Image Light
Amplifier) chips to OEM customers for integration in front or rear-projection
products. Until now, these liquid-crystal-on-silicon (LCOS) displays have been
used only in JVC-branded products. It is not known which displays will be
offered to OEMs, however.
Mitsubishi, Hitachi Debut
DLP HDTV
Mitsubishi
Digital Electronics America Inc. (MDEA, Irvine, CA) and The Home Electronics
Division of Hitachi America, Ltd. (San Diego, CA) both showed off their new
HDTV lines to dealers in May. Capping the line-up of both will be new models
using single-chip DLP (Digital Light Processing) technology developed by Texas
Instruments (Dallas, TX). Mitsubishi will offer a 65-inch model while Hitachi's
will be a 55 incher. Both will use the new 0.8-inch 1280 x 720 resolution TI
chip that allows 720p native presentation.
InFocus Partners With
Three-Five Systems on LCOS Development
Projection system manufacturer, InFocus Systems (Wilsonville
OR), and liquid-crystal-on-silicon (LCOS) microdisplay developer, Three-Five
Systems (Tempe, AZ), have formally announced a partnership. Although details of
the relationship remain sketchy, it will likely include an investment by
InFocus in Three-Five to push development of SXGA, probably HDTV, and possibly,
some other format display for both front and rear projection
products.
eMagin Shows SXGA OLED
Display, Expands Kodak Relationship
eMagin Corporation (East Fishkill, NY) used SID'2000 to show
their new SXGA microdisplay based upon Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting
Diode (AMOLED) technology. This is the first time a monochrome white SXGA
device showing video has been publically demonstrated. Shortly thereafter, the
company announced it was extending and expanding upon it's current OLED
licencing agreement with Eastman Kodak (Rochester, NY).
CMD Debuts QVGA
Display
Seeking to tap
into an existing market for microdisplays, Colorado MicroDisplay (CMD, Boulder,
CO) has decided to develop a QVGA (320 x 240) device. The new CMD3X2A display
and companion CND3XLB illumination controller ASIC, are targeted for next
generation mobile communication, mobile entertainment and digital imaging
products.
Mitsubishi Pushes New
Color Standard
Mitsubishi Display Products (Cypress, CA) has developed a new, patented color
technology, called ColorView, which they say overcomes color reproduction
quality issues in digitally controlled displays to offer CRT-like performance.
Products such as LCD-TFT desktop monitors, LCD projectors, DLP projection
systems, and field emission displays can all benefit. The first product to
receive the technology is a 15-inch LCD desktop monitor, but Mitsubishi is also
incorporating this technology into its branded LCD projectors and DLP
projection systems.
APPLICATIONS
Headsets & Handsets
Wrap-up of news from
SID'2000 and elsewhere and includes coverage of eMagin Corporation, inViso and
MicroOptical Corporation.
Front Projection
Product and business news
from Plus Corporation of America, Lightware, Philips Electronics, Toshiba
America Information Systems, Toshiba America Consumer Products, Primax
Electronics, Polaroid, Hitachi America, Sony Electronics, InFocus Systems and
Proxima ASA.
LCD/DLP-Based Rear
Projection
New product
introductions from Christie Digital Systems and Clarity Visual Systems.
Digital Cinema
Industry developments from JVC,
Texas Instruments, Technicolor and InFocus Systems.
CRT-Based Rear
Projection
News on
product introductions from Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America and The Home
Electronics Division of Hitachi America.
MARKET
INTELLIGENCE
Japanese DSC, S/C,
LCD Equipment Sales Rise
Production Up, Prices Down for Korean LCDs
Quarterly Report on Large TFT LCDs Available
Kodak Preps for Anticipated
Growth
More Consumers Plan Digital Camera Purchase
DSC Revenue to Reach
Milestone This Year
SDTV, Set Top Boxes to Move in Europe First
BOTTOM LINE
Zenith Reports Reduced Revenue
Matsushita Feels Sting From Sluggish Sales
LCD Sales Spell Profit for
Sharp
Strong Yen, Falling Prices and Stiff Competition Challenge JVC
MOVERS &
SHAKERS
Anthony
Artigliere, Jim Gavloski and Robert E. Fischer all make news last
month. |