On a recent visit with Everest Display Inc. (Hsinchu, Taiwan) (www.everestdisplay.com.tw), we had a chance to hear about the company's product development roadmap. Leveraging the success of the recently developed EX-3100, a 3000-lumen HTPS platform, the company will next set its sights on increasing the light output of projectors, using 0.7-inch HTPS panels.

The first HTPS platform that Everest developed was based around Epson's 0.99-inch panels. Everest manager Howard Chien says that the 0.99-inch panels without microlens array produce about the same light output as a 0.9-inch panel set with microlens array. "The 0.99-inch chip set is less expensive, however, so that's a better way to go," says Chien. "But if we ever wanted to use 0.9-inch panels, all we have to do is change three condenser lens elements and the projector will accommodate this panel size."

Now, Everest will apply the same design principle to Epson's new Dream III 0.7-inch panels. "Currently, 0.7-inch panels can produce a maximum of about 1400 lumens," explains Chien. "We hope to be able to demonstrate a 2000-lumen platform using 0.7-inch Epson panels by InfoComm this year - a significant improvement. And, we are designing the engine to accept Epson's 0.79-inch class panels too. Using these, we think we can reach 2500 lumens in Q1'04." A simple change of condenser lenses allows the engine design to use either panel size. Once Epson's Dream IV panels are ready, this platform could be used to produce 3000-lumen projectors.

Also on the drawing boards for Q1'04 is a 1200-lumen platform using 0.5-inch SVGA panels and a 5000-lumen projector using XGA resolution 1.4-inch Epson panels with microlens arrays and a 320W Osram lamp. The same projection engine fitted with SXGA resolution panels with microlens arrays will yield a 4000-lumen offering. Epson has announced it will field its own 5000-lumen XGA projector for the Japanese market too, but timing is unclear.
Everest has also demonstrated an alternative L-type engine architecture, which may be used for these high-lumen platforms. "This design is best for higher-resolution and higher thermal load platforms since it reduces the loading in the x-cube by separating it into two components," explained Chien.

Everest Display was formed in 2001 as a merger between Everest Technology and K-Laser. The company has about 60 employees, with 40 dedicated to manufacturing and 20 in development. It maintains a small projector production line in Hsinchu, but also has a second facility at Wuxi, China, about an hour from Shanghai, which came with the K-Laser merger. Production will moved to this China-based line once it exceeds 1000 units/per month.
K-Laser is already a very successful and highly profitable maker of holographic products (ranked 30th in profitability in Taiwan). In addition to its development labs in Taiwan, K-Laser currently has two factories in China and plans new facilities and activities.

In Vancouver, Washington, for example, it has set up a development lab to do lens research to support its interferometric instrumentation business as well as projection systems. A facility in Santa Cruz, California works on holographic elements, including screens and polarizers, but this is more long-term research.
In Japan, it has set up a cooperative agreement with OptiWorks that calls for co-development of both HTPS and LCOS engines.

Everest Display, W.K. Liu, [886] 3-666-7350, wkliu@everestdisplay.com.tw

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Insight Media, Annmarie Gabisch, 203-831-8464, Annmarie@insightmedia.info