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JUNE 2001
NEWS & ANALYSIS
12-Degree DMDs Released
The standard Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) from Texas Instruments features a 10-degree tilt angle.
Just released are two new DMDs that feature a 12-degree tilt angle, which are intended for single-chip multimedia
business projection applications. When used in combination with TI's new Dual Data rate Processing (DDP) electronics
(see related story this issue), system integrators will realize higher light output, higher contrast and higher image quality.
MicroVue Ships Developer and Evaluation Kits
MicroVue, the joint venture between MicroPix, Taiwan-based PicVue Electronics, and two other Taiwanese companies,
started shipping kits to support its SXGA ferroelectric LCOS panel. While several kits are available, most efforts are
focused on commercializing one-panel field-sequential color projection systems using the company's 0.88-inch SXGA
panel.
China Getting Projection Manufacturing
The Peoples Republic of China is starting to emerge as an attractive place to perform projection system manufacturing.
As a result, several companies have announced plans to set up facilities for this purpose. For example, PLUS
Corporation of Japan says it is the first company licensed by the Chinese Government to manufacture and sell digital
projectors. As a result, a new subsidiary was formed, called Shantou Plus Instruments Ltd., and has already begun
operations. To further distribution within mainland China, partnerships have been formed with sales agents
On Systems and Shantou Xuntai Co. Ltd..
TI Releases DDP Chip Set Solution
Texas Instruments upgraded its Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) control electronics. The new chip set
includes the Dual Data rate Processor (DDP) 1000 DMD Controller ASIC, which doubles the internal data clock speed,
and incorporates algorithm upgrades to improve darker grayscale control, and reduce motion and color break-up
artifacts. A second ASIC, called the DAD 1000 Waveform Generator, handles analog functions, while a third element,
DLP Composer, is a software development tool.
TI Offers 848 x 480 DLP Solution
Texas Instruments developed its second wide-aspect (16:9) DLP-based projection solution. Now it can support the native
display of 848 x 480 resolution images using the company's existing SVGA Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) and a
modified driver board solution. InFocus Systems, PLUS Corporation of Japan and SIM2 Multimedia all announced
new home-entertainment products based on this solution.
Epson Expands HTPS Capacity
Japan's Seiko Epson Corporation is one of the two major producers of high-temperature poly-silicon (HTPS) LCD panels
for use in viewfinders and projection systems. Responding to high demand for these panels, the company invested in
new capacity last year. Now it is ready to begin production from a new facility.
Taiwan MicroDisplay Ready to Ship Samples
Taiwan MicroDisplay Corporation (TMDC) has developed an XGA liquid-crystal-on-silicon (LCOS) display that it should
begin sampling in June. It is targeted for front-projection applications, and if well received, should begin volume
production by the end of the year. TMDC reports customer interest from Taiwan, China, Japan and the U.S.
eMagin Readies SVGA+ OLED-on-Silicon Display
eMagin Corporation used the recent DisplaySearch FPD conference to provide the first public showing of its upcoming
SVGA+ (852 x 600) color OLED-on-Silicon microdisplay. Now it is accepting orders for developer kits, which include the
display and associated drive electronics. This is the first commercial OLED display capable of displaying 16M colors.
Is NorStar For Real?
The NorStar Group has been announcing distribution deals for its yet-to-be-developed CyberVisor headset at an
astonishing rate in the first half of this year. In mid-January, the total value of distribution deals over the next five years
was at $31M. By mid-May, when we checked in again, the total had swelled to about $470M, and could go as high as
$750M in the near future.
inViso Announces New Partnerships
Microdisplay developer inViso signed new development agreements with Xybernaut and Inciscent. Both are designed to
help advance wearable and bring-to-the-eye display technology, and wireless Internet connectivity solutions. inViso
developed near-to-eye (NTE) optical engines and prototype products based on an all-digital SVGA LCOS display.
Its eShades product is a binocular headset, while the eCase is a handheld, Windows CE-based product.
APPLICATIONS
Digital Cinema Industry - After digitally delivering the film “Bounce” late last year, and then “Spy Kids” in March,
Boeing Satellite Systems transmitted Broadway Television Network’s production of the Broadway musical “Jekyll & Hyde"
to several theaters across the country. We'll also bring you news from GeoVideo Networks, AMC Entertainment and TVN
Entertainment, Toho, Toei, Constellation 3D, Avica Technology, SightSound Technologies, Microsoft, Panasonic Broadcast
& Television Systems, Barco and Madstone Films.
Digital Cinema Projectors - TIn digital cinema projector news, IMAX’s new Super Digital Cinema DLP projector will
fill the largest stadium-style theaters with screens as large as 80 feet wide, and deliver twice the performance of digital
cinema, say company spokesmen. Other newsmakers in this segment are; Barco, NEC Technologies, Sony and JVC.
Front Projection - In projection hardware news, Barco is out with the next addition to its 6000 series, this one an
updated version of the BarcoGraphics 6400 introduced last May for $16,495. Others of note here include JVC, Sony, Lightware,
Plus Corporation, IBM, Dukane, InFocus, Boxlight and Acer Communications.
Vis/Sim - The PANORAMA cross-cockpit immersive systems from SEOS Displays can be found in several new applications,
including an upgrade of Lockheed Martin’s C-130 simulators at Little Rock AFB. Others covered here include NLX Corp., Oerlikon
Contraves, ST Training & Simulation, Evans & Sutherland, SGI, XWave, NASA Glenn Research Center, Fakespace Systems,
3D Perception, AMT, and Big I Entertainment.
Laser Display Systems - Two recent trade show were the venues for the showcasing advancements in laser display
systems. CeBIT 2001 was the opportunity for Schneider Laser Technologies while Photonics West worked for Photera. We
will also bring you news from Photera, Q-Peak, Christie Digital, AMC Theaters and Gemfire.
LCD/DLP-Based Rear Projection - An upgraded DLP HDTV from Mitsubishi Digital Electronics features a built-in
ATSC tuner, IEEE 1394 networking, and Home Audio Video interoperability (HAVi) software. Other newsmakers include
Barco, DirecTV, Monivision, Olympus, Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co. and Three-Five Systems.
CRT-Based Rear Projection - Sony introduces two new rear-projection HDTVs in 57- and 65-inch screen sizes,
scheduled to hit the market this fall. Others of note are Sharp and Thomson Multimedia.
Headsets- From our May issue of Microdisplay Report, we have an update to Liteye Microdisplay Systems’ Knight-Eye
system, which couples a 160 x 160 resolution microbolometer thermal imager to a head-mounted microdisplay viewfinder.
Kopin, Planar, eMagin, Interactive Imaging Systems and Microsoft are all newsmakers here.
MARKET INTELLIGENCE
Projector Makers Eye Retail Channel
Front Pros Hold Their Own
DLP Projector Shipments to Reach Half Million Mark
DTV Market is Boom Not Bust
First Quarter Display Shipments
HB LED Market Update
BOTTOM LINE
e-Magin Riding High With SVGA OLED Display
Xybernaut Nets Significant Gain in Consulting Revenues
JVC Continues Realignment
No Revenue for SpatiaLight in First Quarter
Genesis Microchip Quarterly Results Better Than Expected
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Lots to review here: Effective last month, Colorado MicroDisplay is now Zight Corporation and named Mark Willner
Chairman of the Board and Chief Science Officer and Kenney Roberts becomes President and CEO. Inviso adds Peng Lim,
VP of Worldwide Product Development for Palm, to its Board of Directors. Microvision announces the formation of an
advisory board of display technology experts that will be chaired by Dr. Aris Silzars. Dr. Eldon Smith joins the Board of
Directors at 3-D display developer, VisuaLabs. Richard Seery is International DisplayWorks’ new VP of Sales.
Fakespace Systems, a business unit of Electrohome Limited, named Alan Caskey VP of Sales. Xybernaut hired Jacques Rebibo
as Executive VP of North American Operations in charge of sales, marketing and operations. As part of a new strategic
emphasis on channel sales, Tod Rehm, President and COO is no longer with the company. SEOS appoints David Lewis
Account Manager for Trimension Systems. Genesis Microchip announced Alex Lushtak as the company’s new Chairman
also, Jeff Diamond, former CEO of Paradise, was appointed to the Genesis Board of Directors. |