January 2006

news archive

Toshiba's SED TV Makes Long-Awaited Debut at CES 2006

LAS VEGAS - While Toshiba unveiled numerous high-definition television (HDTV) products at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show in January, one truly stood above the rest in terms of buzz factor: the long-awaited surface-conduction electron-emitter display, or SED. After a reported $4 billion in research and development by Toshiba and Canon and several false starts, it appears that the SED has finally arrived.

Three 37-in. flat-panel SED prototypes were housed in a theater setting inside Toshiba's CES booth, and attendees stood on line for up to an hour to see the breakthrough technology. Once inside, they were wowed-people actually gasped when they witnessed the breathtaking color, resolution and response time of the SED TVs.

The SED TVs feature 2 million individual emitters, a contrast ratio of 100,000:1, and a response time of less than 1 ms. Toshiba plans to release a limited number of the SED TVs at some point in 2006 at a size of 55 in. in the 1080p HD format-the demonstration was shown in 720p and at 37 in. The company would not release pricing structures or the product release schedule, although speculation at the show was that initial pricing would be in the $10,000 range.

Panasonic Unveils 103-in. 1080p Plasma Display Panel at CES

LAS VEGAS - Panasonic, a subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd., unveiled a prototype of a 103-in. plasma display panel (PDP) with 1080p high-definition (HD) TV resolution at the January Consumer Electronics Show. The prototype delivers more than two million pixels (1,920 x 1,080) of performance.

Panasonic overcame the technical hurdles of making plasma panels larger than 100 ins. while maintaining stable discharge and high picture quality across the entire surface of the panel by developing a new rib, which divides each gas cell and prevents interference between adjacent cells to produce clear images, and phosphor for these super large panels. The 103-in. 1080p plasma panel, equivalent to four 50-in. panels in size, features consistent and uniform discharge, delivering the same accurate images from the center to every corner of the screen and brightness as its current 50-in. HD model. The panel incorporates Panasonic's 1080p HD high-speed pixel drive, which is also used in the TH-65PX500 65-in. 1080p Plasma TV, which was introduced in Japan in November, and the 50-in. 1080p Plasma unveiled at CEATEC JAPAN 2005 in October 2005.

"Until now, the market for 100-plus-in. screens was dominated by front projection TVs," said Hiroyuki Nagano, Director, PDP Device Business Unit of Panasonic AVC Networks Co. "Panasonic now realizes another option in this sector. Our 103-in. 1080p PDP promises high quality images with high brightness, dynamic contrast, high resolution and excellent color reproduction that projection displays cannot match. We believe it will create strong demand as a multipurpose display for business, educational and medical applications as well as home theater use," said Mr. Nagano.

Texas Instruments Announces LED Technology, New Chipsets for DLP HDTV

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Texas Instruments (TI) showcased two technological breakthroughs in digital light-processing (DLP) high-definition television (HDTV), improving picture quality and decreasing cost to manufacturers and ultimately to consumers.

TI's two new products - a DLP HDTV solution that supports light-emitting diode (LED) light sources, and new HDTV chipsets with BrilliantColor color-processing technology - will result in "even more high-quality viewing choices from DLP HDTV manufacturers," according to a statement from the company.

Samsung will ship the first commercially available DLP HDTV with an LED light engine (made by TI) in mid-2006. According to TI, the integration of the highly efficient LED technology will unleash DLP's potential for speed, offer the ability to display a wider National Television System Committee (NTSC) color gamut at approximately 130 percent, and increase the color refresh rate to 48 times the standard TV frame rate, making the sets ideal for watching sports and video games.

TI's new line of affordable chipsets promises higher color saturation and brightness on DLP HDTVs. The 0.45-in. and 0.65-in. 1080p DLP chipsets feature BrilliantColor technology optimized for DLP HDTV applications to extend DLP color processing from three colors up to six colors. This increases the number of producible color shades to 200 trillion while providing up to a 50% total screen brightness increase.

"We strive to provide our customers with performance innovations, while also continuing to ensure a price competitive solution for the market," said Adam Kunzman, Business Manager, DLP HDTV Products of Texas Instruments. "Ultimately, it is about delivering the best HDTV at an unmatched value for the consumer, and DLP is determined to win against plasma."

Two-Way Viewing-Angle LCD Among Sharp's Innovations Shown at CES

LAS VEGAS - Sharp's most intriguing offering at January's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas takes multitasking to an entirely different level by allowing multiple programming on the same screen. Sharp's two-way viewing-angle LCD displays two programs on a single screen, allowing viewers to watch two completely separate video streams without interference from the other image.

The programs encompass the entire screen, yet a user sitting on the screen's right side can view one program while the screen's left side displays different programming. At Sharp's CES booth, the technology was placed in an automotive application, allowing navigation to be displayed for the driver while a movie was shown on DVD for the passenger. Both images appear without distortion or interference. According to Sharp, this is the initial usage planned for this technology.

In addition, Sharp unveiled a new "mega-contrast" premium 37 in. high-definition LCD monitor designed for the professional film, broadcast and video industries that features a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio for a crystal-clear picture. The monitor was mounted inside a special showroom specially constructed within Sharp's booth, allowing it to be demonstrated in various demanding lighting conditions and picture-quality requirements. According to Sharp, this contrast ratio is about 1,000 times better than the current high-quality LCD TVs on the market.

Sharp did not disclose when either technology will be available for sale.

Other highlights from Sharp at CES included:

• The world's largest available LC TV, a 65 in. 1080p fully high-definition television that features an extremely wide 176-degree viewing angles, and a new four-wavelength backlight system that provides enhanced color reproduction with deeper, more vivid reds than previously possible. The television offers outstanding 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution with a true 16:9 aspect ratio, an enhanced 800:1 contrast ratio, and Sharp's exclusive Quick Shoot video circuitry, which delivers an amazing pixel response time of less than 6 ms, for superior picture quality even on fast-motion scenes. Manufactured at Sharp's Gen 6 factory in Kameyama, Japan, the LC-65D90U AQUOS® LC TV is available for a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $20,999.99.
• The 57 in. widescreen AQUOS (pictured) features the latest version of Sharp's proprietary Advanced Super View (ASV) LCD panel, enabling a 1500:1 contrast ratio and an pixel response time of 4 ms, which further improves the picture on fast-moving action scenes for a dramatic, flowing motion. The 57-in. AQUOS features Sharp's new proprietary 5-wavelength backlight system that provides deeper, more vibrant and vivid reds and greens than previously possible. Viewing angles have been extended in this model to a dramatic 176 degrees, thanks to Sharp's brand-new, proprietary multi-pixel technology, so users can view the television from virtually anywhere in the room. The LC-57D90U features full 1080p (1920 x 1080) resolution and a true 16:9 aspect ratio, for a premium high-definition viewing experience. It will be available in March for a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $15,999.99.
• Sharp officials expressed hope that its latest offering in the DLP area will help it regain market leadership in the front-projection category. The Flagship DLP™ 1080p Home Theater Front Projector (model XV-Z20000) has a native resolution of "full HD" 1920 x 1080 for true 16:9 widescreen movie viewing, producing clear vivid images, transforming any room into a high-tech home theater. It uses The XV-Z20000 will be available in 3Q 2006. Pricing is not yet determined.

Pioneer Announces Breakthroughs in HD Picture Quality, Pixel Density for Latest Plasma Introduction

LAS VEGAS - Pioneer Electronics displayed one of the world's first 50-in. 1080p plasma displays at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in early January, showcasing a technical innovation that doubles pixel density and resolution to deliver the best flat-panel picture quality.

The Elite PureVision PRO-FHD1 plasma TV features a 1920 x 1080 resolution, more than 2 million individual pixels, and the ability to display the entire range of high-definition (HD) broadcasts, including 720p, 1080i and 1080p. The PRO-FHD1 combines the higher pixel count of 1080i with the faster refresh rate of 720p, allowing for a smooth, accurate picture for fast-moving content such as action films or sports with sharp, bright, accurate picture quality.

"Our new 1080p plasma is a milestone achievement that represents Pioneer's relentless pursuit of excellence," said Pioneer USA Senior Vice President of Marketing and Product Planning for Home Entertainment Russ Johnston. "Achieving a 1080p native resolution has been a goal since Pioneer began plasma R&D in 1991. The proprietary technologies developed since that time now enable us to achieve the engineering feat of doubling the pixel density and resolution in a 50-in. plasma monitor."

In addition to displaying 1080p signals, the PRO-FHD1 can up convert all other sources for improved HD image detail, color accuracy and fast-moving image clarity.

Among the display's features are:

• Deep Encased Cell Structure makes each cell deeper to increase overall phosphor area for a brighter image. By casing each cell with horizontal ribs, Pioneer diminishes light leakage from neighboring cells for sharper, more accurate images. A new T-shaped electrode prevents misfiring of individual cells despite the fact that each individual cell is half the size as previous generations, enabling Pioneer to maintain its sharp, bright accurate images when reproducing at a native 1080p resolution.

• The Pure Crystal Emissive Layer sandwiched between the plasma glass and the individual light cells conducts energy more efficiently so each cell is charged and discharged at a faster rate, improving contrast and brightness while using less energy. Swift charge and discharge of individual pixels results in an extremely smooth transition from color to black for blacker blacks and increased detail in dark scenes.

• High Quality Up Conversion to 1080p minimizes interlacing motion artifacts of 1080i and increases the resolution of a 720p signal.

• New PureDrive II Signal Processing delivers low noise, high contrast and natural color images. The High Precision Video Scaler receives and displays 1080p HD native resolution.

• The First Surface Pure Color Filter reduces ambient light reflection and heightens color reproduction through the elimination of an extra layer of glass for sharper, crisper and more vivid images.

• Enhanced ISF C3 capability allows a certified calibrator to perform advanced color calibration with never-before-achieved simplicity, accuracy and reliability. It includes a detailed gamma selection with eight steps.

• Terminals on the monitor include Digital HDMI, DVI (HDCP), component and composite inputs.

The Pioneer Elite PureVision PROFHD1will be available in June for a suggested price of $10,000.

Novalux Triples Power Output Power of Solid-State Light Source Prototypes

SUNNYVALE, Calif. - Novalux, Inc. has tripled the output power of its blue and green Novalux Extended Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (NECSEL) solid-state lighting prototypes to 1.5W.

"Achieving 1.5W output from our green and blue NECSEL devices is a significant milestone in our product evolution," Novalux Vice President of Marketing Greg Niven said in a statement. "Our ultimate goal is to produce 3W light sources for integration into microdisplay-based devices such as home-theater front projectors and rear-projection TVs. NECSEL technology significantly enhances display performance and enables simpler light engine architectures - it is reenergizing a marketplace that has been limited by legacy UHP (ultra-high performance) lamp technology."

Novalux demonstrated the benefits of its NECSEL technology at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show in early January. Highlighted features included an expanded color gamut, the simplified lower-cost light engine architecture that laser technology provides when compared to UHP lamp-based systems, and the system's matchbox-sized packaging.

The blue and green NECSEL devices produce 1.5W at 460nm and 532nm, respectively. They are wavelength selectable, so integrators can create multi-primary laser displays that include colors such as cyan. They also provide bright, speckle-free output, resulting in clear, vibrant images, long lifetime, instant-on and low étendue.

TAOS Inc. Announces Full RoHS Compliance on All Light Sensors

PLANO, Texas - Texas Advanced Optoelectronics Solutions® Inc. (TAOS) announced in December that every device in each of its optoelectronic sensor solution product families is now lead-free and RoHS-compliant, meeting this goal seven months before the European Union's July 1, 2006, deadline for the restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS).

Among its many mandates, the RoHS requirement restricts levels of lead, hexavelent chromium, mercury, polybrominated biphenyl, cadmium and polybrominated diphenyl ether in electronic components shipped to Europe.

"We started by submitting each of our devices to an independent testing lab to determine what corrective actions would be necessary to meet the RoHS requirements," said Ray King, TAOS Inc. market specialist. "Many manufacturers equate lead-free with RoHS compliance, but there is more to meeting the RoHS requirement than getting the lead out of your devices. At TAOS, our main concern was to not only make all of our products RoHS-compliant, but to meet our customer's needs by making the product available well in advance of the mandated deadline. We consider that to be an important part of providing our customers with complete intelligent optoelectronic solutions, not just a light sensor."

TAOS will achieve compliancy by manufacturing silicon-based, rather than cadmium-based, ambient light sensors, and by replacing sensors' tin/lead alloys with pure tin. While non lead-free sensors will continue to be available in addition to those using only tin, the company plans to eventually transition to manufacturing only RoHS-compliant products.

CDT Announces New Long-Life Light-Emitting Polymers

CAMBRIDGE, UK - Cambridge Display Technologies (CDT) recently announced two breakthroughs in the development of long-lifetime, high-efficiency light-emitting polymers for full-color, video-capable displays. CDT, a pioneer in the area of polymer OLEDs (PLEDs), recently developed a red phosphorescent device and a blue fluorescent device that each achieves record lifetimes.

The red device is the result of collaboration between CDT and Sumitomo Chemical. It has a lifetime of half a million hours, with an initial luminance of 100cd/m². The efficiency is also improved at 7cd/A. Red efficiency is especially important as this color consumes the largest share of power input in a color device, so improvements in red efficiency have important practical implications, according to a CDT press release.

The blue device has a lifetime of 150,000 hours, up from the 30,000-hour lifetime of a blue device CDT released just 18 months ago. The newer blue device also has the highest recorded efficiency for a blue polyfluorene material, at 10cd/A. The new blue material yields very good color values and efficiency. The OLED industry has come to regard progress on blue materials as a key indicator, the press release stated, since this performance dictates the range of full-color applications that can be implemented. This announcement gives a strong indication that the technology is moving rapidly to satisfy the requirements for applications, including large display screens.

Both new materials are fully printable, and are compatible with each other, making it possible for them to be combined in the same device.

"The progress on red lifetime and efficiency is astonishingly rapid," stated Dr David Fyfe, CEO of CDT. "Increasingly, the progress on blue lifetime is building on the synergies arising from both the acquisition of Dow Chemical's P-OLED technology by Sumitomo, and the merging of CDT's and Sumitomo's know-how into Sumation. We are confident of further progress."

AU Optronics Invests in Second China Manufacturing Plant

HSINCHU, Taiwan - AU Optronics has announced an initial investment of $50 million in a new module plant and sales facility for TFT-LCD panels in Xiamen, China. This will be the company's second manufacturing site in China.

The decision to build a second plant was the result of several years of heavy investment in its Taichung, Taiwan, manufacturing site, which is now demanding sufficient LCD module capacity support. AUO currently operates three LCD module plants, two in Taiwan and one in China.

The initial $50 million investment will be used for full-range sized applications (small, medium and large) and will gradually increase with customer demand, according to a press release issued by AUO.

Apollo Display Technologies Unveils New Scalable Industrial Panel PC That Fits Different Sized LCDs

RONKONKOMA, NY - Apollo Display Technologies has introduced a new Industrial Panel PC designed for use in such applications as machine automation, industrial control, point of information, kiosks, and digital signage.

The panel PC offers an ultra-fast Intel Pentium 4 CPU, a rugged space-saving enclosure, and a convenient drop-in design for plug-and-play use. The unit is available in two models, a 12.1 in. SVGA or XGA LCD and a 17 in. SXGA LCD, both of which have wide viewing angles, high contrast ratios, and high brightness. They can easily accommodate LCDs from 12.1 in. to 19 in. in size.

The unit supports full-motion color display, including mpeg videos, and provides full interface capability, including a LAN port, 4 serial I/O ports, 3 USB 2.0 ports, and one LPT port. It is also available with integrated touch-screen options.

Pricing for Apollo's Industrial Panel PC with 12.1" SVGA or XGA LCD is $1,323.75 in quantities of 5,000 pieces or more. Delivery is typically 4-6 weeks for samples and 8-12 weeks for production quantities.

Aixtron Sells MOCVD System To Rainbow Opto For Blue LED Production

AACHEN, Germany - Aixtron AG announced it has sold a Thomas Swan 19x2 in. Closed Coupled Showerhead (CCS) gallium nitride epitaxy reactor to Rainbow Optoelectronics Material Shanghai Co. Ltd., China, for production of blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

The CCS system will complement Rainbow's earlier purchases such as the AIX 2600G3HT in a 24x2" configuration, and will also be used for the production of high-brightness blue LEDs. It makes Rainbow one of the largest GaN LED capacity facilities in China.

"We believe that this reactor technology has significant advantages over other vertical reactors in terms of excellent stability and uniformity. It will enable us to qualify and introduce very competitive state-of-the-art gallium nitride-based LEDs," Rainbow General Manager Hun-Huang Liu said in a press release.

CCS features the lowest deposition cost per wafer in the industry, according to the release, and provides "exceptional uniformity of thickness, doping, and composition within epitaxial layers." The technology is used in the United States and Asia for the epi-growth of green, blue and UV LED structures.