Epson’s D7 high-temperature polysilicon (HTPS) LCD panel shrinks from 0.9 to 0.7 inches in width but balloons in capability compared to the previous D6 also used with their 3LCD technology. The new 1080p Full HD panels have significantly higher contrast ratios, smoother images and deeper black reproduction capabilities.

Seiko Epson Corporation’s (Epson) new panels use innovative high resolution technology to achieve a 20% improvement in aperture ratio (ratio of lit pixel area to area blocked by the transistor driving each pixel) compared to conventional Twisted Nematic LCD Panels (nematic liquid crystal rotates light 90 degrees as it passes through). So, Epson have both reduced the panel size and increased the proportion of panel area allowing light through. This makes it possible for manufacturers to achieve higher luminance with the same projector lamp or reduce the lamp wattage for the same result.

Another improvement built-in to the D7 is the higher rate 12-bit LCD driver. This allows more colors and shades of gradation to be represented. While the D6’s 10-bit driver could control 1.1 billion colors, the new 12-bit capability boosts performance by 64 times to 68.7 billion colors. Gradation levels jump from a possible 1,024 to 4,096. These performance boosts make it possible for Epson to support the new xvYCC (called x.v.Color) color standard.

Crystal Clear Fine

Epson’s D7 panels continue with the D6 series panels Crystal Clear Fine (C2 Fine) inorganic alignment technology which combines an inorganic liquid crystal alignment layer and vertical alignment technology (liquid crystal aligned vertically). The inorganic alignment layer reduces orientation unevenness producing smoother images while vertical alignment reduces light leakage improving contrast and deepening blacks.

Manufacturing Incorporation Improvements

Epson have made installation of their D7 panels easier (read cheaper for manufacturer) through other improvements such as boosting noise immunity by using a mini-LVDS interface and strengthening the panel tape.

Resources

mini-LVDS Interface Specification by Texas Instruments (pdf)