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March 2001
NEWS & ANALYSIS
Sarif To Begin HTPS Production
For the last several years, Sarif planned on introducing high-temperature poly-silicon (HTPS) LCD panels for use in
projection systems. The idea is to offer a credible third alternative to supply-strapped Sony Corporation
and Epson Corporation. Now, after several false starts, the company is back and ready to begin sampling three panels
this spring, with volume production planned for early summer.
Displaytech Reveals Viewfinder Customers
Displaytech (Longmont, CO) has been gearing up production of smaller resolution ferroelectric liquid-crystal-on-silicon
(F-LCOS) displays for some time. But until last month, the company had not revealed who the customers are. Now we
know. JVC Company of America (Wayne, NY) will use a monochrome display as a viewfinder in a camcorder, and Concord
Camera Corporation (Hollywood, FL) (NASDAQ: LENS) will use a color display in two digital still camera models.
Sony, Epson Gearing Up HTPS Production
High Temperature Poly-Silicon (HTPS) LCD panels are used as viewfinders in camcorders and three-panel projection
engines. But demand for these panels is outstripping available supply. Sony Corporation and Epson Corporation are
currently the only two suppliers, and by some estimates, holding 45% and 55% market share, respectively. Now, both
are investing heavily in new production capacity, not only to meet current demand, but to stave off competition from
alternative panel technologies like DLP (Digital Light Processing) and LCOS (liquid-crystal-on-silicon).
ViewSonic Strengthens LCOS Development Team
Last summer, ViewSonic made a strategic decision to market rear-screen TVs, monitors and front projectors using
liquid-crystal-on-silicon (LCOS) technology. In February, it added a LCOS engine development team of 20 people,
which should help bring products to market sooner, probably in 2001. Advanced Optical Engineering, Inc. was acquired
by ViewSonic and it will now become a wholly-owned subsidiary operating under the new name Advanced Digital
Optics Inc. (ADO).
Kopin Introduces Support Modules for Color QVGA
In a move to help potential CyberDisplay integrators, Kopin Corporation announced two new development tools for its
color QVGA (320 x 240) display. They join a third toolkit announced last fall for the monochrome QVGA display. All
are intended to reduce the time to market for a range of mobile information applications, such as personal entertainment
systems, wireless communications devices and Personal Digital Assistants.
TI/Partners Work Interactive HDTV
The convergence of high-definition TV and the Internet is expected to completely alter both PC-based systems and
video-based systems in the future. But how it will all come together remains a mystery. In a modest, but significant,
new project, Texas Instruments (TI) (Dallas, TX), Panasonic (Secaucus, NJ), and a host of other partners have teamed up
to facilitate a small demonstration project to evaluate interactive TV concepts.
APPLICATIONS
3-D Display Systems - The availability of true 3-D without glasses or other special devices makes this technology
increasingly appealing to the average consumer. As more 3-D games hit the market, and e-commerce evolves to feature
more electronic retail Web sites using 3-D to promote products, this looks like the next breakthrough application for
personal computers. We will tell you about news from Dimension Technologies Inc. (DTI), LG. Philips, Deep Video Imaging,
Innova Electronics, Dynamic Digital Depth, Screenzone Media Networks, 4D-Vision, Elumens, Atlantis Cyberspace and
Dynamic Visions Development Corp.
Front Projection - Here are some of the companies making news this month; International Data Corp., InFocus, 3M Visual
Systems, Christie Digital Systems, Mitsubishi, Yamaha, Sharp Electronics, Panasonic, Compaq and Texas Instruments.
Wearables - Well tell you what's happening at eMagin, IBM Research Labs, Exponent, Sony, Planar Systems, Pacific Consultants,
Conversay, TransDimension, IntraNet Solutions, ViA, MIT’s Media Lab and Casio,
Headsets - The latest news from Olympus, SRS Labs, InViso and Philips.
MARKET INTELLIGENCE
Sony Leads the Projector Pack
Sony Anticipates LCD Projector Growth
MEMS Gain Momentum
Digital TV Continues Growth Spurt
U.K. Digital TV Subscribers Shun Online Services
Digital TV Growth in Japan
TFT-LCD Prices Tumble
Taiwan LCD Profit Margins Drop
BOTTOM LINE
Year-End Reflects iFire and Savvion Investments
August Technology Has Success Following IPO
Good Year for Kopin but Cautious Short-Term
Record Sales and Net Income for TFS
InFocus Anticipates Proxima Benefits in 2001
SpatiaLight Update
MOVERS & SHAKERS
We'll tell you about Haviland Wright, Displaytech CEO, who is now also Chairman of the Board. Applied Films announced that Aitor Galdos,
VP and Corporate Development Manager at Unaxis was elected to the Board of Directors. Also, Helmut Frankenberger,
was appointed Executive VP of Thin Film Systems, and Jim Scholhamer was named VP of Thin Film Coatings.
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