Brillian debuts LCOS-based HDTV
By Nicolas Mokhoff
EE Times
May 26, 2004 (11:00 AM EDT)
SEATTLE — A preview of HDTVs to come was demonstarted at the Society for Information Display conference here this week.
While Samsung, Sharp and Toshiba exhibited large prototypes of LCD panels with 1,280-pixel resolution, Brillian Corp, a liquid-crystal-on-silicon (LCOS) pioneer unveiled its first television based on its LCOS microdisplay technology. The demonstration here marked the first public showing of the 65-inch rear-projection HDTV monitor.
"This is an extraordinary time in the evolution of HDTV products," said Brillian CEO Vincent F. Sollitto, who touted the LCOS monitor's "near 3D picture quality [and]artifact-free performance."
The monitor includes three 1,280- x 720-pixel microdisplays that offer what Brillian claims is the highest commercially available LCOS contrast ratios — up to 2000:1 — in a rear-projection HDTV. It features a 160-degree viewing angle, an ultra-fine-pitch 16:9 widescreen, artifact-free full-motion video capability via its three-panel architecture and superio audio performance. The monitor measures 20 inches in depth.
Brillian's reflective, active-matrix-driven LCDs use 1 million, 12-micron-square picture elements, each capable of displaying more than 256 gray levels. The technology supports more than a 92 percent fill factor that eliminates the grainy effect often seen on high-temperature polysilicon displays.
The 65-inch 720 progressive scan HDTV is the first in a family of 720p and 1,080p HDTVs planned by Brillian. OEM-branded versions of Brillian's 720p HDTV will be available in the second half of 2004.
Brillian plans to sell its 720p and 1,080p televisions exclusively to brand-name OEMs and retailers requiring a turnkey HDTV set. Brillian will allow vendors to integrate the base TV-chassis with customized or complementary features for different product configurations. Vendors will then market the televisions through their distribution channels.
Brillian is internally developing or sourcing most key HDTV components. While designing its second-generation LCoS microdisplays, it is partnering with light engine and video processing designers and integrators. By offering a complete system, Brillian said it can rapidly move its HDTVs into the price-conscious consumer market .
Earlier this year Brillian began using screens made by Japan's Toppan in its 720p HDTVs. Toppan's screen technology provides uniform, high-resolution images without scintillation (screen sparkle) artifacts. The technology allows very bright image presentation by rejecting ambient light in brightly-lit rooms without compromising the 160-degree viewing angle. The feature makes the screens ideal for home-theater applications, the partners said.
Along with advanced screen technology already in production, Sollitto said Toppan provides "an assured supply base to meet our production requirements."
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