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November 2000
NEWS & ANALYSIS
Displaytech Lines Up More Partners
Displaytech, Inc. used the CEATEC Exhibition in Japan last month to make a series of announcements.
A deal with MegaChips has yielded an image processing chip that works with Displaytech's QVGA (320 x 240)
field-sequential color display. Applied Image Group/Optics (AIGO) reports that they have developed a near-eye
viewfinder optic for use with Displaytech's QVGA display too. And finally, Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd. (FPO) said
it will design and manufacture optical engines for rear and front projection applications using Displaytech's LightCaster
microdisplays. Nice month!
Kodak Sets up OLED Business Unit
Eastman Kodak Company has announced a major corporate reorganization designed to drive growth through aggressive
investments in digital technologies, faster introductions of new products and improved customer service. It has also spun
off a new business unit to be called Kodak Display that will concentrate on the commercialization of Organic Light-Emitting
Diodes (OLEDs) technology. This is part of an intensified focus on New Business activities aimed at generating sales from
Kodak's research labs and external venture capital investments.
ColorLink Receives $7.5M for Production Ramp
ColorLink, Inc. (Boulder, CO) has received $7.5M from Arisawa Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Joetsu-City, Japan), Intel Capital
and ViewSonic Corporation. The investment provides ColorLink with additional resources to help expand product
offerings and take the products into high-volume manufacturing to meet the demands of large OEM customers.
Kopin & Access to Develop Web-Browsing Platform
In a bid to help build the infrastructure for microdisplays in wireless products, Kopin Corporation has teamed up with Access
Company, Ltd. Access is the provider of NetFront software which powers the microbrowser used by NTT DoCoMo to enable
its i-mode wireless phones in Japan. These phones have been a big hit there.
MicroDisplay Corp. Starts Volume Product Shipments
Liquid-Crystal-On-Silicon (LCOS) display manufacturer, MicroDisplay Corporation has started shipping volume quantities
of its SVGA display. The 0.49-inch display will be going primarily to Daeyang E&C for integration into headsets for
entertainment. Daeyang will use COMDEX to showcase their headset, the Cy-Visor, from November 13 – 17, in Las Vegas.
Unaxis To Offer Steep Gradient Color Filters
As LCD projection system designs push the weight and size frontier, they must typically move to lower f# optical systems.
The faster optical systems require optical components with coatings that are graded in order to achieve a uniform response.
Now Unaxis Balzers Ltd. has developed a graded color filter process that doubles capabilities previously available.
JVC Ships SXGA+ Panels
The Victor Company of Japan (JVC) says it has begun to sample their new SXGA+ (1400 x 1050) liquid-crystal-on-silicon
(LCOS) microdisplay. The 0.72-inch device is intended for OEM developers of compact front projectors and for rear-
projection televisions and computer monitors. Development of optical engines has begun, say company officials, with
end products reaching market in 2001.
New Laser Display Developed by University Researchers
A new type of laser-based display has been developed by researchers at University of Central Florida. The early stage
work involves the uses a near infrared laser to up convert doped polymer materials embedded in a screen so that they
emit light in the red, green and blue.
Chromalux Offers Spatial Light Modulator Technology
Chromalux has revived a spatial light modulator technology originally pioneered by Tektronix and is offering it up to
developers of high-resolution projection systems. The technology uses two e-beam guns to write to and erase a single
liquid-crystal light valve. While the technology is intriguing there are some significant shortcomings which may limit
its commercialization.
APPLICATIONS
Digital Cinema - Newsmakers include Imax Corporation, Ballantyne, National Cinema Network, General Cinemas,
AMC, Digital Projection, Disney, Texas Instruments, Constellation 3D and Ricoh.
Headsets - Microvision, Nomad, Telesensory, the University of Washington, ATR Labs, Hiroshima City University,
Kabushiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises, Sun Microsystems, Norstar Group, VR Zone Technologies are all newsmakers here.
Wearables -Comapnies featured here are Orang-Otang, Xybernaut, Bell Canada, IBM Canada, Linguatec, Wearix,
X-Info, Apple Computer, Insight Magazine, the International Business Solutions (IBS) Technology Center, Firestone
Building Products, Casio, Extended Systems.
Front Projection - Heading into COMDEX we tell you about recent ongoings at 3M Visual Systems, Matsushita Electric,
Christie Digital Systems, Toshiba, MediaStar, InFocus Systems, (Proxima) RCA , S-Video, Texas Instruments, Pacific Media
Associates, InFocus, NEC Technologies, CTX Opto-Electronics and Legend Group.
3D Display Systems - We report on Fakespace Systems' agreement to use Parametric Technology Corp. (PTC)'s
product development software with its WorkWall immersive display to transform it into a collaborative virtual prototyping
tool. You will also read about Dynamic Digital Depth, 4D-Vision, MUSE Technologies, Alenia Marconi Systems, Litton,
Infinity Multimedia, Chequemate International, dba C3D Digital Inc., Havok, Macromedia, Intel, NxView Technologies,
3dvillage.com, E-Commerce Support Centers, Experient Technologies, IBM, NetCDRom.com, Premiere Motorsports,
Real Networks, StarMedia, Web-Designs.net, Zeris Interactive, Graphic Gems (previously Xgate), Matsushita Computer
Systems, Graphic Gems, Panasonic, Maxim I/T and RealityWave.
MARKET INTELLIGENCE
Rapid Gains in the Portable Projector Market
Japan Cranks Production for DTV Debut
Digital Camera Sales to Double
LCD Component Shortages
BOTTOM LINE
InFocus Earnings Up 59% in Q3
Three-Five Sytems Reports Solid Q3
Sage's Q2 Reflects Purchase of Faroudja Labs
Going Public Pays Off for Silicon Image
Genesis Microchip Reports 17% Revenue Growth
Mixed Signal Semi Manufacturer Stays Strong
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Matt Medeiros is the new President and CEO at Philips. We'll tell you more about what this move means.
Henry Mathias joins BARCO as Director of Digital Cinema and eMagin names Andrew P. Savadelis as
CFO. |