Sanyo Epson Develops High-Resolution LCDs featuring Photo Fine Chromarich
Sanyo Epson Imaging Devices Corporation (“Sanyo Epson”) has announced the development of three new high-resolution LCDs featuring “Photo Fine Chromarich” technology that achieves more than 100% coverage of the NTSC* color gamut. Mass production of the displays will commence in early 2006. The fusion of telecommunications and broadcasting through digitization and the seamless integration of cable and mobile communication have raised expectations for next-generation mobile devices. Consumers hope such devices will bring more convenience, richer content, and wider service coverage. There is particularly increasing demand for LCDs with higher resolution, a wide color gamut, a wide viewing angle, and quick response, as well as being lightweight, compact, and ultra energy-efficient. The higher popularity and functionality of digital cameras and camera-equipped mobile phones mean that consumer demand for clearer displays are particularly strong in these areas.
Increasing the resolution and color range of LCDs is an important element in responding to these demands. Sanyo Epson, as a core company in achieving the “i3” (mobile display) strategy of the Epson Group SE07 mid-range business plan, has developed products and technologies based on the concept of supplying clear, user-friendly displays that can be used anytime, anywhere.
The high-resolution LCDs that Sanyo Epson has developed feature a widened color gamut technology called “Photo Fine Chromarich” that enables superior resolution and extended color range by matching four color filters (the standard RGB plus cyan arrangement) with a new white backlight. The new displays (measuring 2.2, 2.8, and 4.5 inches) also boast higher aperture ratios and lower power consumption. In developing widened color gamut technology, Sanyo Epson extended the Epson Color Modulation (ECM) expertise cultivated by Epson in developing high-quality inkjet photo printers and applied it to LCDs. The technology enables colors like emerald green and blue to be reproduced with a level of accuracy not previously possible in small and medium-sized LCDs (screens currently on mobile phones cover only about 40% to 70% of the NTSC color gamut, with an average of about 50%).
For example, the images on online shopping sites will be much clearer and richer in color when viewed on a mobile phone equipped with one of the new displays. In digital cameras, meanwhile, as users will be able to view images with colors close to those produced by a printer on their LCD monitors, they will be able to check photos before they print them.
The new “Photo Fine Chromarich” displays have specifications that are compatible with previous products, facilitating the development tasks of the product planners and designers at mobile equipment manufacturers. The driver IC contains the gamut-expanding algorithm in compressed form, so there is no need to increase the main memory of products. And as the input data is still in RGB format, old displays can simply be replaced with the new models. In the future, moreover, by equipping the displays with a high-speed serial interface, the mounted connection width can be narrowed by reducing the number of hard wiring, contributing to improved functionality and reductions in the size and weight of mobile devices.
Sanyo Epson will exhibit the three models at FPD International 2005, which will be held from October 19 to 21 at Pacifico Yokohama, Japan to stimulate demand for “Photo Fine Chromarich” LCDs for use in high-end mobile phones and digital cameras and also to promote new applications for the displays.
The main features and specifications of “Photo Fine Chromarich” are listed in the attachment.
* NTSC stands for National Television System Committee, the committee that draws up the technical standards for terrestrial analog television broadcasting in the United States. NTSC also refers to the standard format set out by the committee in 1953. Color reproduction is achieved through an additive color process based on the three primary colors (red, green, and blue). The NTSC format is the basis for TV color reproduction in Japan, the United States, Canada, and Latin America.
About Photo Fine Chromarich
Photo Fine is the name of the high-resolution displays developed by Epson. Chroma means color, and Rich refers to the rich power of the displays to reproduce the beauty of photographs across a wider color gamut.
About Sanyo Epson
Sanyo Epson Imaging Devices Corporation was established by Epson and Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. on October 1, 2004. Epson holds 55% of the joint venture, and SANYO 45%. The new company aims to become a leading manufacturer of small and medium-sized liquid crystal displays for mobile phones, digital cameras, and automotive applications. For further information, visit Sanyo Epson’s website at http://www.sanyo-epson.com/e/.
About Epson
Epson is a global leader in imaging products including printers, projectors and LCDs. With an innovative and creative culture, Epson is dedicated to exceeding the vision and expectations of customers worldwide with products known for their superior quality, functionality, compactness and energy efficiency. Epson is a network of 85,647 employees in 115 companies around the world, and is proud of its ongoing contributions to the global environment and to the communities in which it is located. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corp., the Group had consolidated sales of 1479.7 billion yen in fiscal 2004. For further information, visit Epson’s website at http://www.epson.co.jp/e/.
About SANYO
Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. is one of the global consumer electronics giants leading the way in technology innovation for its strategic business domains “Digital & Device” and “Energy & Ecology.” SANYO’s businesses cover a broad range from AV/information and communications equipment, home appliances, commercial equipment, electronic devices, batteries and others. For further information, visit SANYO’s website at http://www.global-sanyo.com/.
Contact:
Corporate Communications
Sanyo Epson Imaging Devices Corporation
E-mail: www@sanyo-epson.com