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Editor's HDTV Pick

HP 47 inch MediaSmart 1080p LCD HDTV "Out of the box" digital media platform. Enjoy videos, pictures and music from home network + digital media delivered over your broadband Internet connection + 3 x HDMI

Luminus Devices, Inc. has announced that it has joined the Micro Device DisPlay Consortium (MDDPC), a membership-based industry group made up of leading companies aimed at expanding the microdisplay television market. Luminus Devices manufactures high performance solid state light emitting devices and systems such as it’s PhlatLight (Photonic Lattice) technology. The announcement could be seen as an acknowledgement by the group that solid state lighting is the future for microdisplay backlighting.

With solid state light sources able to offer manufacturers benefits such as those listed below it is understandable why they are the backlighting technology of the future.

Advantages of solid state lighting over conventional backlighting such as cold-cathode florescent lamps (CCFL):

• Longer operating life
• Quicker turn on
• An expanded color range
• Lower power consumption
• Environmentally friendlier – no mercury used.

These improvements will most likely have upstream affects such as demands for content with a wider color range to utilize improved television capabilities.

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Construction of a mass production line for SED (surface conduction electron emitter display) flat-panel televisions will be started by Canon and Toshiba by the end of this year according to a report in Japanese financial daily Nihon Keizai Shimbun. The production line at Toshiba’s Himeji factory in Hyogo Prefecture is expected to require and investment of 180 billion yen from the partners. Their aim is to be able to mass-market the products in time for the shopping season for the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

SED is a new flat panel display technology which uses the same principal as in a traditional cathode ray tube television (CRT) of electrons exciting a phosphor coating. However, with SED there is a surface conduction electron emitter for every individual display pixel. Unlike CRTs, SED televisions have a very slim form factor similar to plasma and LCD televisions yet share the advantages of high brightness, high contrast ratios, response times and excellent picture quality. SED features high-resolution images with less power consumption than plasma and LCD displays. Toshiba’s display at this years Consumer Electronics Show (CES) featured an SED theater with 36 inch prototype on display.

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Optima have introduced the TX780 DLP projector featuring a very bright 4000 ANSI Lumens light output combined with an also high 3000:1 contrast ratio - making it suitable for large venues with high ambient light conditions. The projector has an XGA (1024 x 768) native resolution and has the latest DarkChip3 DLP DMD microdisplay chipset by Texas Instruments. Optoma have used their proprietary tunnel cooling system to minimize projector noise levels.

The TX780 will be available from October.

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Solid state light sources such as those manufactured by Philips Lumileds and Luminus Devices are a rapidly rising display technology. They have begun to replace incandescent bulbs in applications which suit their natural advantages including; durability, compactness, low heat production, and strong directionality Their importance has been acknowledged by awards such as Insight Media’s SID 2006 Best Buzz Award in the “Best New Backlight Technology” category. Thomson and OSRAM Opto Semiconductors are entering the market with their recent announcement that they are introducing LED illumination technologies for LCD and rear projection applications

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September 22 2006. BenQ have announced the launch of two new cross function projectors - the BenQ MP611 and BenQ MP611c. Standout features are a very low operating noise level of 24dB and an impressive 2400 ANSI Lumens of brightness making them suitable for business and educational situations with strong ambient light conditions.

The MP611 Features Whisper Quiet Design, High 2400 ANSI Lumens Brightness and a Wide Selection of Adjustment Options

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3LCD is one of a number of contemporary flat panel display technologies including; Plasma Display Panel (PDP), Organic Light Emitting Diode (OELD), Thin-film Electroluminescent (TFEL) and Field Emission Display (FED). Using microdisplays provides manufacturers with a projection solution for increasing resolution while maintaining compactness.

Beginning in 1995, 3LCD technology has been adopted by numerous front projector and later (2002) rear projection TV manufacturers (Fujitsu, Hitachi, Panasonic, Sanyo and Sony) for its compactness and image quality.

3LCD Technology

Briefly, 3LCD technology is a video projection system that uses three LCD panels to produce an image. It is marketed as having three key advantages:

• A brighter picture even in high ambient light situations
• More natural colors
• Greater resolution - high definition performance

More precisely, 3LCD is an active-matrix, HTPS (high-temperature polysilicon) LCD projection technology. It inherits sharp images, brightness and excellent color reproduction from its active matrix technology. Deeper blacks are contributed by the HTPS technology. To understand 3LCD requires an understanding of these evolutionary technology building blocks.

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Mitsubishi recently added a third projector to its business and education family of projectors. Like all projectors in the family, the XD435U-G utilizes Texas Instruments’ DLP (Digital Light Processing) microdisplay technology.

As required by their intended market covering high ambient light situations in meeting rooms and classrooms the new XD435U-G, along with its siblings the XD430U and SD430U, project at a healthy 2500 ANSI lumens brightness. The excellent brightness is ably supported by a 2000:1 contrast ratio for ensuring detail is captured. The contrast ratio is a higher result on/off measurement but, still very suitable.

At 6.4 lbs there are lighter projectors around but, the weight does put it within the portable class.

All presenters like a quick setup time with a minimum of fuss and Mitsubishi’s designers have delivered this with an integrated USB flash memory port which removes the need for PC connection and setup. Presenters can also change over quickly – simply plugging in their USB drive and accessing their images or video. Auto source detection also hastens the set up time.

A quick pack up is always appreciated by presenters with tight schedules and a projectors cool down time works against this. In the case of the Mitsubishi XS435U-G however, its quick power-down feature makes “finish and run” a possibility.

Other include features which suit portable projector applications are:

• Manual keystone correction adjustment for squaring up the displayed image,
• Password lockout for preventing unauthorized use,
• Dust and dirt resistance without a filter removes the possibility of clogged filters and associated maintenance,
• A Low Lamp Mode extends lamp life and provides quieter operation,
• Monitor loop-through providing simultaneous monitor output capability allows a presenter to remain facing the audience,
• Quoted 3000 hour lamp life (low mode).

With its weight and dimensions the XS435U-G is ideal for a cart-mounted installation. With this more permanent type of installation in mind, the projector is equipped with a security hook for easy tethering to circumvent thefts in risk exposed environments.

Although it has a USB port, the projector has two PC inputs.

All three projectors in the family have a three-year limited warranty on parts and labor with a 90-day limited warranty on the lamp. They are also covered by Mitsubishi’s Express Replacement Assistance (ERA) Program, a nationwide comprehensive service that offers next-business-day replacement for down units under warranty.

Further Reading

Mitsubishi also have the recently reviewed PK-20 PocketProjector which weighs only one pound. Its weight is delivered by utilization of the latest Phillips Lumileds LUXEON LED illumination.

On September 13, Epson announced new 3LCD home theatre projectors with professional level processing technology – the Epson PowerLite Pro Cinema 810 and PowerLite Pro Cinema 810 HQV.

Common features:

• 720p native resolution,
• 1,600 (up to) ANSI lumens of brightness (impressive for home cinema),
• 2.1x zoom Fujinon lens for more flexible installation. 6000:1 contrast ratio delivered in part by an advanced Iris function which automatically adjusts the image to the level of the video signal,
• full IR/RS-232 controls and home automation system-compatible codes for custom installers to create a system where audio and video are managed from a single remote control,
• ISF-certified (Imaging Science Foundation) calibration,
• Epson AccuCinema Color Management calibrated out-of-the-box to D6500 color standards and an ideal gamma curve of 2.2.,
• Vertical and Horizontal Offset Lens – 100% horizontal, 50% vertical,
• Epson Super White for cleaner images with less noise and better picture quality,
• Cinema Filter which cuts the light of unwanted wavelengths, expands color space and provides high-purity color for greater intensity and contrast in dark scenes,
• connections including MDMI, Component Video, RGB Video, S-Video, Composite and RS-232 digital connections.

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Sony’s KDS-60A2000 HD RPTV has a native resolution of 1080p (1920 x 1080). It incorporates Sony’s SXRD microdisplay technology as well as its video signal processing WEGA Engine. Sound quality has not been ignored as the unit comes with SRS TruSurround XT audio enhancement technology.

If compared to Sony’s XBR line, the A2000 series lacks only front panel HDMI input, detachable speakers and a CableCARD HD tuner.

Technology Features

Sony’s SXRD Microdisplay Technology

Sony’s SXRD (Silicon X-tal Reflective Display) could be considered as an evolutionary development of LCoS (Liquid Crystal On Silicon) technology. Among its competitors are Syntax-Brillian’s Gen II LCoS, and JVC’s D-ILA (Digital Direct Drive Image Light Amplifier).

LCoS, the predecessor technology, is a combination of both the reflective approach of DLP (millions of actuated micro-mirrors on a chip reflect light required for the display) and the transmissive approach of LCD (millions of liquid crystals act as valves passing through light required for the display). In LCoS, liquid crystals are applied to a reflective mirror substrate with the polarization of liquid crystals being used for light transmission control and the mirror below reflecting the light or not as required for image display. LCOS microdisplays are mostly of a three-chip configuration for the three primary colors. As with DLP microdisplays, LCoS relies on projecting the three primary colors rapidly enough so that the eye combines them into a single color.

Sony’s SXRD technology differs from LCoS competitors in that the liquid crystal cell gap measures less than 2um which is far thinner than conventional high temperature Poly-Silicon liquid crystal or LCOS(Liquid Crystal On Silicon) microdisplay devices. Additionally, the TN (Twisted Nematic) liquid crystal, commonly used in projection devices, is replaced by Sony’s unique “Vertically Aligned Liquid Crystal” material where liquid crystals molecules are aligned vertically to the cell substrate.

Advanced Iris

Advanced Iris is a special Sony function designed to improve brightness and contrast expression especially in darker scenes. Of the seven settings two are for automatic opening and closing of the iris determined by the gamma level of the video displayed. The remaining five manual settings are intended to adjust the display for varying ambient light conditions.

Sony’s WEGA Engine

Sony’s WEGA Engine Video Processor is a digital video signal processor designed to improve picture quality. Functions that have been added to the previous WEGA Engine version are the:

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On September 11 JVC announced new display technology that delivers a native contrast ratio of 10,000:1. The technology will feature in new full high definition (1080p) home cinema front projectors.

Powering the new technology are three 0.7” 1920 x 1080 pixel full HD D-ILA (LCOS) devices that deliver a native resolution of two megapixels.

JVC’s D-ILA (Digital Image Light Amplifier) device eliminates the “screen door effect”, which hinders LCD technologies, offering a high aperture ratio of more than 90 percent to ensure smooth, film-like images. When combined with JVC’s newly developed optical system, these devices can provide a native contrast of 10,000:1 and a brightness level of 800 lumens for natural yet vivid color reproduction and high contrast.

The 1080p HD home cinema projector to incorporate the new technology will be available in early 2007. The projector will be equipped with a converter and scaler that upconvert the incoming source regardless of its original format to properly display images at 1080p.

Further Reading

Read the full press release by JVC.

Read Presentation Technology Reviews article on JVCs FN97 range of HD-ILA (LCOS) rear projection, high definition tvs offering native 1080p resolution with screen sizes up to 70 inches.