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Apparently, Kolin intends to commercialize the TV using the 0.7-inch
imagers (eWX70) from eLCOS. This is an all-digital panel that
comes with a Three Panel Modulator (TPM) controller that can support
8-, 9- or 10-bit digital modulation schemes. These proprietary
algorithms help to eliminate ghosting and reverse twist effects
while minimizing interpixel interference. Also included is uniformity
compensation and dynamic temperature compensation. Panel level
contrast is reported to be more than 750:1, but once integrated
into the TV, the system contrast is more like 400:1.
eLCOS partnered with silicon foundry Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
Co. (TSMC) (www.tmsc.com.tw)
to fabricate the backplane for the display. TSMC has publicly
supported the launch of the TV set, with chainman Morris Chang
stating he was satisfied with the LCOS TVs from Kolin and promising
to help develop such products in Taiwan. Varitronix (Hong Kong,
China) (www.varitronix.com.hk)
is also involved in panel manufacture as it fabricates the cells,
packages devices, and tests them before delivery.
The LCOS engine has been designed and will be built by Cinetron
Technology (ChungHo City, Taiwan) (www.cinetron.com.tw),
a company founded in December 2001 to commercialize LCOS technology.
Apparently, the engine architecture is proprietary and Cinetron
marketing VP Roger Hsu says they are not yet ready to disclose
the details. With exception of the tuner and audio circuit, Cinetron
will produce all of the set's electronics, including the scaler
board. Hsu says higher-resolution (1080i) and lower-cost LCOS
engine designs are in the works too. The company plans to be at
CES in January.
Kolin builds the TV chassis with the audio system. The electronics
on the 50-inch set can accept composite, s-video component (YPbPr)
and DVI inputs, with support for de-interlacing and progressive
scan conversion, as well as 3:2 pull down using DCDi algorithms.
The TV can also permit Picture-In-Picture (PIP) and Picture-By-Picture
(PBP). Signals are displayed at 1280 x 720 resolution, scaling
all inputs to 720p. It will also include a DVD player as well
as other home theater A/V components - a first, as far as we know.
PC data support is available via a DVI input connector.
The set uses a 120W lamp with an 8000-hour lifetime, but there
is some confusion about the on-screen brightness spec as it is
listed as both 500 and 700 nits. The diffuser/Fresnel screen with
a gain of 4X was selected to offer a 140-degree horizontal viewing
cone with a 70-degree vertical cone. Contrast is rated at 450:1.
Overall, the set weighs about 100 pounds and is 16.5 inches deep.
Kolin is mainly a marketing, not a technology, company. It seldom
builds its own advanced systems like RPTVs, but this LCOS TV represents
a major R&D effort to position the company as a key player
in the Taiwanese TV market. If successful, distribution will be
expanded to China and other parts of the world.
The company hopes to sell between 5K and 8K units in the first
year.
eLCOS, Cathy Wong, 408-245-7588, cwong@elcosmicro.com
Taiwan Kolin, [886] 2-23143151
Cinetron Technology, Roger Hsu, [886] 2-8226-3698, roger@cinetron.com.tw
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