MicroDisplay is a different company that the one I was referring to - Colorado MicroDisplay Inc. - comicro.com
This just shows how active the field is!
They introduced this product into production (the ~$30 target price unit):
<Society For Information Display Conference
May 18, 1998
Anaheim, California
Colorado MicroDisplay, Inc. Brings SVGA (800x600) High Refresh Rate, Full-Color Image Quality To .47-Inch Display For No-Compromise Portable Products
New Company Premieres Full-Color, Full-Motion Video SVGA Solution on a Single Chip
Colorado MicroDisplay, Inc. today announced the first full-color, high refresh rate SVGA resolution microdisplay. Until today, microdisplays offered to original equipment manufacturers caused them to sacrifice resolution, full-color capabilities, power or size. With CMD's announcement, OEM developers can incorporate a microdisplay solution that delivers the full "Desktop Experience" to their consumer, commercial and industrial electronic products. Designed to revolutionize the visual interfaces of portable computing, communication and entertainment devices, the new company's solution is based on reflective, Dynamic Nematic Liquid Crystal on Silicon (DNLCOS) technology that enables easily manufactured miniature display systems. The CMD 8X6P Microdisplay and the CMD SVGA Display Evaluation Kit will be demonstrated May 19-21 at the Society for Information Display Conference in Anaheim, Calif.
"As mobile computing and entertainment applications continue to push resolution requirements, end-users need to view information in a manner comparable to their desktop monitors and televisions," said Mark Willner, president and chief executive officer of CMD. "CMD's breakthrough technology, along with our business model, create new visual gateways that allow users to take the high-quality information and entertainment display experience with them. They are not forced to compromise on what they currently use at work, at home or in a movie theater.
"CMD's technology is more scaleable than competitive microdisplays, enabling applications for personal displays, such as accessory headsets for notebooks, call centers, portable DVD and game players, industrial and medical uses; rear/front projection systems; embedded systems including digital cameras and mobile phones; and other "Display-Challenged(tm)" products.
"We strive to be a true development support team for OEMs as they deliver on their visions for future products, said Willner. "Our success hinges on our technological accomplishments and the success of our partners."
As a technology development and marketing company, CMD has a business model that focuses on helping OEMs bring their products to reality. The company's approach is to:
Pursue multiple products, markets and technologies--provide scaleable technology, allowing a broad range of end-user products; enter multiple markets through key partnerships; continue to innovate and commercialize successively better technologies
Reduce product cost & manufacturing risk using existing materials and manufacturing processes--utilize off-the-shelf materials and processes to provide lowest possible product cost and rapid time to market; CMD is the first "fabless" display company
Partner with leading Asian company and other market leaders--target market leaders for joint manufacturing, distribution and market development
CMD is backed by venture capital organizations, corporate partners and private investors including: Texas Instruments, Hambrecht & Quist, Vulcan Ventures, Aweida Ventures Management and Dr. Robert Epstein (co-founder of Sybase).
"CMD's introduction of a full color SVGA microdisplay is a major step forward for the whole personal display industry," stated Chuck McLaughlin of McLaughlin Consulting Group. "It offers Internet appliance and portable equipment designers a display equivalent to a laptop flat panel at a fraction of the cost and power. CMD looks to be a major player in microdisplays."> |
