D. Floyd,
I wanted to help clarify the market for projection display systems to you. The TFS/NSM microdisplay relationship is exciting to me because there is an almost unlimited potential for these devices in low-cost projection display applications.
You are right, who can get excited about paying $20K for a projection display system? Microdisplay based projection systems will change this.
First, let's look at the existing projection technolgies - CRT-based systems and flat-panel LCD-based systems - and their associated problems.
With CRT-based systems, the basic issues boil down to size, power and cost.
1). Size. Three CRT's, one each for red, green and blue, are required to create a color presentation. In the simplest terms, it's like having to create a housing for three separate TVsets within one chassis. Thus, the large size necessary for this type of projection unit.
2). Power. Since the box is now filled with, basically, three TV sets, a lot of power is dissipated in the unit. I think that most CRT projectin systems run around 700-800 watts.
3). Cost. Three separate CRT's, along with their associated deflection amplifiers and high-voltage power supplies, contained in a large housing, are an expensive way to build a projection system. Since nobody wants a huge projectin system in every conference room, especially with a price tag of $20K, or higher, the market is basically very small. Thus, the per-unit cost is high.
With flat-panel LCD-based projection systems, the basic problems are pixel resolution, flat-panel LCD cost and screen intensity/power.
4). Pixel Resolution. The resolution of today's LCD projectors is SVGA (800 by 600 pixels). While this is good for a number of computer projection applications, it is insufficient for high-resolution CAD work and/or video monitor replacement. (Note that Kopin cannot participate in this market, due to their limited resolution of 320 by 240 pixels).
5). Cost. Three separate active-matrix LCD screens are used to create the color image for the user. Thus, the cost of manufacturing these screens makes it comparable to having to purchase 3 separate laptop computers. Thus, the cost of approximately $6K for one of these units is still out of the realm of standard use within the conference room environment. (However, the size of this unit is acceptable for most conference room applications).
6). Screen intensity/power. The intensity of the image is degraded due to the fact that the light from the projection illumination source must be transmitted through the active matrix LCD panel. Thus, only a small percentage of the light is transmitted through the LCD. This requires additional power in order to proper illuminate the viewng screen. In general, these types of projectors use 500 watts.
Now, we get to microdisplays and how they will be used to solve the problems described above; size, power, cost and pixel resolution.
7). Size. Since the microdisplay and it's optics can be placed into the volume of approximately 1 cubic inch, the volume required to hold three separate microdisplay device, one each for red, green and blue, is significantly smaller than the volume necessary for the active matrix LCD approach and approximately 100 times smaller than the volume required for the CRT approach.
8). Power. The power necessary to illuminate the microdisplay approach will come from the projector lamp. In general, for a reflective microdisplay, approximately 200 to 250 watts will be needed to generate a display brightness comparable to today's projection systems. I agree with a previous post that projection lamp life is not an issue. A light bulb will be easy to change.
9). Cost. Current estimates show that the cost of a color SXGA system will be approximately $100 for the microdisplay units themselves. This leaves the optics and the electronics as the other major cost components.
It is entirely conceivable that microdisplay projection systems will fall into the range of approximately $2K. At this price, the market will be huge!!
10). Pixel resolution. The resolution of the SXGA microdisplays is 1280 by 1024 pixels. This resolution creates a much better image, suitable for high-resolution CAD work or HDTV applications. This resolution very closely matches the resolution of today's bext CRT systems.
As I have outlined above, the cost, size, power and resoltuion of a microdisplay-based projection system puts it well within the range that makes it feasible for installation into every conference room.
Note also, however, that the projection market is only a small percentage of the total number of uses for microdisplays. Many more applications, such as virtual terminal viewers and micro-projectors, just to name a couple, will spring up as the technology matures.
Ben F. |
