Arisawa Mfg. Co. Ltd., Seiko Epson Corp., Texas Instruments Inc., and JVC have teamed to establish the Micro Device Display Consortium (MDDPC), to promote the features and advantages of microdevice display projection TVs (MDDP).

The consortium aims to promote the growth of MDDPs and boost public awareness of the technology. In addition to the founding members, 3M Company, Luminus Devices Inc., Samsung Japan Corp., and SCRAM Technologies Inc. have joined the consortium as endorsing members.

Microdisplay devices includes technologies such as DLP micro mirror device supplied by Texas Instruments, LCOS (liquid crystal on silicon) devices including D-ILA promoted by JVC, and HTPS (high temperature polysilicon) devices supplied by Epson and Sony Corp. Images from these microdisplays, measuring 0.5 to 0.9 inches in size, are projected to screens measuring 40 to 70 inches in diagonal.

TI has been promoting its proprietary DLP devices and supplied the device to over 75 companies. Epson and Sony own the HTPS device market, with Epson sells the devices on the merchant market while Sony consumes them internally.

JVC and TI have competed in digital cinema projectors in the United States, promoting D-ILA and DLP devices respectively. The rivals are calling a truce.

"It is not the time to fight within the microdisplay industry. We have to gather hands to promote the technologies," said Shintaro Nakagaki, associate director and general manager of display unit at JVC's technology development division. "Rear projection TVs using microdisplay devices are not mere replacements for CRT based rear projection TVs. They are completely brand new displays," he said.

Formation of the consortium could help kick-start the microdisplay market, which according to some analysts faces increasing competition from plasma displays.

Last December, makers of plasma displays formed the Plasma Display Coalition to market plasma displays.

Founders of MDDPC agreed that it was necessary to enlighten people about the advantages of the MDDP. The consortium will prepare marketing materials for its members to share in promoting the common advantages of MDDP. In addition, the consortium will launch a website to provide information on MDDP. Product demonstrations are also slated.

By: DocMemory
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