If 3D has a future in our pockets, then it must be one that requires no spectacles. Not only are the goggles an issue, other key factors like resolution and viewing angles all need to be bettered before it stands a chance of broad adoption. NLT technology knows this, and has prototyped a 3.1-inch 3D LCD display that not only matches 2D resolution but also offers up to six viewing angles. The display is based on existing horizontal double-density pixel technology with “HxDP” (horizontally x times-density pixels,) a new technology for creating multiple viewpoints, thrown into the mix. Standard HDDP gives a 3D image two viewpoints, HxDP allows more depending on density of sub-pixels. It also allows for both 2D and 3D images to be on-screen at the same time, meaning you can decide which version of Alvin and the Chipmunks Chipwrecked you prefer side-by-side.
The company apparently is building a flexible OLED screen production line for about $176 million. The factory will reportedly produce 730 × 460 mm displays, but there is no information about when production will start. Some reports put the production beginning at the end of this year, but more conservative estimates state that LG will not be able to manufacture flexible OLED screens until 2013 or even 2014.
Unbreakable OLED displays could be used in future gadgets such as smartphones and tablets, wearable electronics as well as custom shaped consumer electronics such as a new generation of TVs. In separate news, LG is rumored to soon be launching 55-inch OLED TVs in the U.S. At $8,000 or $9,000, the TVs may be insanely expensive, but a bargain for those who value being the first to have their hands on new technology. Remember Sharp’s 108-inch LCD TV that was shown at CES and shipped in small numbers to selected customers? That TV went for $180,000 initially.
It is unlikely that we will be seeing those flexible OLED displays in any application at least until 2013, but there is reason to believe that there is considerable room for product innovation that could ring in a new era of consumer electronics.
Dolby helped the 3D revolution happen in movie theaters years ago, and now it’s teamed up with Philips to do the same for TVs, tablets, laptops and phones. The two companies have created a format and content delivery technology, dubbed Dolby 3D, to bring high definition 3D content to any and all devices with 3D displays, including those that don’t require glasses. Its secret sauce automatically optimizes video for different screen sizes and also upgrades half-resolution 3D to full-res. The idea is to provide both broadcasters and OEMs with a way to deliver 3D HD content to customers buying Dolby 3D devices, while remaining compatible with existing 3D gadgets. All that’s left is to actually build some hardware that’ll let us see all those snazzy suits from Mad Men in high-def and the third dimension.
Well, a week (or two) is a long time in the technology industry, and despite that joint venture with Sony heading south, it’s not all bad news for Sharp. According to a press release from the panel maker, it has begun production of the world’s first screens based on IGZO (indium gallium zinc oxide) technology. These screens are said to promise twice the detail as existing panels of similar transparency, which also translates into a hefty 90 percent reduction in power consumption, reports PC World. Sharp did kindly share some sample specifications, such as a 7-inch tablet display touting a 1280 x 800 resolution equaling 217 ppi, and a 32-inch 3840 x 2160 screen at 140 ppi, to give you an idea of what we can expect. There’s no indication yet as to any devices where we might see them showing up, but as the firm claims it’s ramping up production “to meet market demand” we guess we’ll find out soon enough…
The joint venture that is Japan Display agreed on its formalities back in November, and has now finally started operating. While Sony, Toshiba and Hitachi all have a 10 percent stake in the business, the main investment comes from the government-backed INCJ. The collaboration hopes to champion the middle- and small-sized display sector, and has around 6,200 employees, and ¥230 billion (about $2.8 billion) of capital to help it on its way. Now that the wheels are finally in motion, an announcement of its operational divisions, which include “Mobile Business” and “Automotive” hint at what we might expect from the business going forward. Assuming no one sells up that is.
Just as planned, Samsung has formally separated from its display business, which will begin solo operations “in earnest” April 3rd. The newly created — and still 100 percent Samsung Electronics owned — Samsung Display comes into existence immediately as “the world’s largest display manufacturer” with 20,000 employees and five production facilities around the world. New president Donggun Park reiterated the company’s stance that this move will better allow the display unit to stay ahead of the market, although what that might mean in LCDs, OLED or any other new technology isn’t clear yet. Competitor LG has had a separate LG Display unit since 1999, which was originally a joint venture with Philips before that company sold all of its shares in 2008. As you can see from the new logo above not a lot has changed so far, but we’ll see what “customized products” it can develop in the future.
Separating its LCD business from the rest company of the company will help Samsung to improve the competitiveness of its LCD operations, IHS said. However, that may not be the actual reason for the spinoff.
Market researchers from IHS said that an opportunity to dominate active matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) displays is the true long-term benefit to Samsung. Samsung said last week that it will be spinning off its LCD business into a new company that will be called Samsung Display. IHS speculates that Samsung Display will then merge with Samsung Mobile Display, a joint venture between Samsung Electronics and Samsung SDI, which manufactures LCD and AMOLED displays.
“Samsung’s LCD division is the world’s second-largest LCD panel maker in terms of unit shipments, while Samsung Mobile Display is the top supplier of AMOLED displays,” said Sweta Dash, an analyst at IHS. “A merger would allow the new company to combine its OLED expertise with internal prodigious experience and market influence in the LCD segment. Because of its myriad advantages, OLED represents the future of display technology, representing a huge growth opportunity in the coming years.”
IHS believes that AMOLED has a greater growth opportunity than LCD over the next few years. The company forecasts an annual growth rate of 29 percent between 2011 to 2015 for AMOLED, while LCDs may only gain an annual average of 5.8 percent for LCDs during the same time frame. In 2011, Samsung Mobile Display controlled the AMOLED space with a market share of 85 percent. LG was second with 15 percent. In large-size LCD displays, Samsung held a 22.9 percent share and LG 25.8 percent, IHS said.
On Wednesday AOC launched the e2352Phz, a 23-inch HD monitor that promises “flicker-free” 3D by using the company’s FPR 3D technology. AOC says the tech will eliminate annoying eye fatigue and dizziness that typically occurs when viewing 3D monitors offered by rival manufacturers.
“AOC’s new flicker-free 3D monitor lets you experience what 3D was meant to be – with clear, bright and vivid images that make your display come to life,” said Robert Velez, AOC Marketing Manager. “Whether you are gaming on your computer or watching your favorite movie, this high quality 23-inch monitor can’t be beat in terms of value, features and price point.”
The device specs claim the monitor offers crisp, clean image quality with 20,000,000:1 DCR and 5 ms response time, the ability to display more than 16.7 million colors, built-in speakers and a built-in VESA stand for desktop placement or wall mounting. Other specs include direct insert I/O for easy plug-in, HDMI 1.4a input, 2D-to-3D image conversion, and EPEAT certification. It also comes packed with two pairs of polarized glasses — one full set and one clip-on.
“While conventional 3D systems require more hardware and are more costly, the AOC 3D monitor is simple to set up with plug-and-play connection to any PC and even easily converts pictures, games and videos from 2D to 3D,” the company said. “Additionally, the HDMI input can be directly connected to multiple devices like console game players and Blu-ray players.”
The AOC 3D Monitor (e2352Phz) is now available for $299 at TigerDirect.com and BestBuy.com, among other retailers.
Even though it’s not exactly a bleeding edge concept anymore with tablets everywhere you look, Microsoft’s Surface technology is still cool. On display at the Samsung booth at CES 2012 is the SUR40, which is a 1080p 40-inch LCD that runs the latest Microsoft Surface software.
It’s not going to make anyone want to ditch their iPad, Android tablet or even the cheap PlayBooks and TouchPads they’re using for couchside browsing, but then again, those aren’t huge like Surface. You’ll likely find this in business trying to show off their products in a new and innovative way.
The world’s smallest and thinnest 4K x 2K monitor? According to Panasonic, you’re looking at it. It’s a 20.4-inch IPS LCD monitor, and so for those that can do math, that’s an array of 8.29 million pixels and vibrant from all angles thanks to IPS-Pro technology. That’s great Panasonic, but put it in a tablet or a laptop and we’ll show you the greenbacks.
The 4K2K IPS Alpha LCD panel employs two new technologies, “Pixel structure with ultra-high aperture ration structure” and “New liquid-crystal molecular orientation process technology”.
Panasonic’s new technologies enable viewers to enjoy, from any angle, ultra-high definition videos that show fine lines and texts crisp and clear on the screen and faithfully reproduce lifelike images with subtle textures and even a sense of depth.
With the evolution of technology, flat-panel displays are now available in ultra-high definition, 3D and a variety of screen sizes. As a result, the flat-panel display market has been growing, in response to rising demand for consumer products such as TVs and mobile terminals and professional applications in the medical, educational and commercial fields.
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