Epson Starts Volume Production of New HTPS TFT Panels Compatible with SXGA+

- Release of Products Compatible with High-Luminance Models -
TOKYO--(Business Wire)--
Epson (TOKYO:6724) has begun volume production of 0.96 inch (2.54
cm diagonal) high-temperature polysilicon (HTPS) TFT panels for 3LCD
front projectors compatible with SXGA+.

The new panels use the latest D7 design rule process to achieve
higher aperture ratios, allowing them to offer SXGA+ resolution as
well as increased brightness. Further, the panels make use of high
light-resistant liquid crystal material to ensure the greater light
resistance also needed to increase brightness.

Due to such factors as the increasingly common practice of making
presentations at companies and the growing trend of using IT in the
education market, the data projector market is expected to continue to
expand at an annual rate of approximately 15% (projection based on
market research by Epson).

The growth in the uses of data projectors has led to demands for
higher resolution and wider displays, as well as for greater
brightness to meet the increasing needs presented by the use of data
projectors in a wide range of situations. In order to respond to these
market demands, Epson has been continuously engaged in efforts for
commercialization of panels with higher aperture ratios using its own
original high aperture process technology called the D series which
was developed based on the process technology of each generation.

The use of D7 process technology has increased the aperture ratio
to 77%, a boost of 43% over that produced by currently existing
process technology. As a result, where a 0.96-inch SXGA+ panel using
conventional process technology produced product luminance of 3,000 to
3,500 lm, the new panel is able to achieve product luminance of 4,000
to 5,000 lm. Due to the greater brightness, luminous intensity per
unit area of the panel also increased. The light quantity per unit
area, which is 11.71 lm/mm2 when the luminance is 3,500 lm, increased
42% to 16.71 lm/mm2 when the luminance is 5,000 lm.

In order to achieve greater brightness, it is important to
increase brightness by increasing the aperture ratio, and also to
realize greater light resistance so as to enable the product to
withstand light of stronger intensity.

The 0.96-inch SXGA+ panels being put into volume production will
satisfy the needs of the market for higher resolution and greater
brightness by employing panels based on D7 process technology, and by
utilizing LCD materials that further improve light resistance.

Plans call for the lineup of products utilizing this high
light-resistant liquid crystal material to be expanded and released on
the market.

Features of the new panels

-- Aperture ratio of 77% (143% of currently existing panel)
achieved for 0.96-inch SXGA (1400 x 1050) employing D7 process
technology

-- Possible to further increase brightness by using high
light-resistant liquid crystal material

-- Plans call for dedicated optical compensator (optional) to be
provided for enhancing contrast

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New panel specifications

Name Existing product L3P10Y-8x
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LCD type TN TN
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Liquid crystal material Conventional liquid High light-resistant
crystal liquid crystal
material material
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Process technology D4 D7
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Effective pixels 1400 x 1050 (SXGA+) 1400 x 1050 (SXGA+)
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Panel size (diagonal) 0.96 inch (2.45 cm) 0.96 inch (2.45 cm)
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Pixel pitch 14 micrometers 14 micrometers
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Aperture ratio 54% 77%
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Related web pages

Epson has established the following web pages to promote
understanding of HTPS and 3LCD technologies.

here

www.3lcd.com/

Please see these pages for further details.

About Epson

Epson is a global leader in imaging products including printers,
3LCD projectors and small- and medium-sized 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.

For more detailed corporate data, please visit
here

Seiko Epson Corp.
Jasper Credland, +81-(0)266-58-1705
Brand Strategy & Communications Dept.
www.epson.co.jp/e/contact/

Copyright Business Wire 2008