display alliance news 9.2.2010

Philips Cinema 21:9 Platinum 3D megadisplay eyes-on.
There are some things that you just long for irrationally in a sort of trade-your-next-10-years-of-Christmas-presents sort of way, and this new 3D Cinema 21:9 Platinum HDTV from Philips is one of those things. We just got a few too-brief minutes alone with the 58-inch set, where it proved itself quite an excellent 3D display -- it's hard to differentiate exact 3D quality without another display nearby for reference, but we didn't see any issues or worry points with the image quality offhand. With shutter glasses on the image remained bright and saturated with little ghosting, and while opinions may vary on Ambilight, we absolutely love it in action, particularly with this letterbox-destroying aspect ratio. Read more at engadget.

LCD TV Panel Makers Target 40% LED Penetration by Q4’10.
The continuing transition to LED backlights is motivating LCD TV panel manufacturers to develop their supply chains in order to reduce the cost of LED-backlit panels. According to the latest Quarterly LED Backlight Panel Shipment and Forecast Report, 9.5 million, or 18.5%, of the LCD TV panels that shipped in Q2’10 had LED backlights, which was 110% growth Q/Q. LCD TV panel makers are targeting aggressive growth for LED panel shipments, with plans to reach 40% LED penetration in Q4’10, and to exceed 50% in Q2’11. Penetration is highest among leading LCD TV panel makers, including Samsung, LG Display, AUO, Sharp, and Chimei Innolux. Notably, Samsung and Sharp aim to ship more LED LCD TVs than CCFL panels in Q4’10 (Table 1). Among these players, Sharp is the only one focusing on direct-type LED backlights, as opposed to the more common edge-lit structure. Sourced from displaysearch.

A quick explanation of SAW Technology.
Featuring pure glass construction, Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) touch screens will almost never physically “wear out” due to a superior scratch-resistant coating. Excellent light transmission ensures that the image clarity of the display remains sharp and vibrant. The stable, “drift-free” operation means that the touch response is always accurate. They work well with a finger, gloved hand, or a soft stylus. And SAW touch screens have a sensitive touch response—they recognize the touch location and the amount of pressure applied. Read more at generaldigital.

Taiwan market: Amtran launches 5 new Vizio LED TVs.
US-based LCD TV brand Vizio has launched five M series edge-type LED-backlit LCD TVs in Taiwan, according to the vendor's Taiwan-based manufacture partner Amtran Technology. With the five models from the M series, Vizio now has a line up of LCD TVs covering the 32- to 55-inch segment in the Taiwan market, Amtran added. The retail prices of the M series are: NT$27,900 (US$871.48) for 32-inch, NT$32,900 for 37-inch, NT$42,900 for 42-inch, NT$52,900 for 47-inch and NT$83,900 for 55-inch. Read more at digitmes.

C-nario Win Terminal 1C, Mumbai Airport.
Times Innovative Media Limited (TIML) has selected the C-nario Digital Signage Platform for a rollout at Mumbai international airport’s recently inaugurated and state-of-the-art Terminal 1C, catering to domestic traffic. The digital signage network at Mumbai airport comprises ten 47-inch LCD screens. The content plan is to have RSS-based news headlines, RSS- based astrology forecasts, and weather reports for selected cities, apart from Live TV and advertisements – all in the highest pixel resolution. C-nario’s platform enables advertisers to upload and approve ads via the Web. Read more at dailydooh.

FCC tears apart the new iPod touch, while iFixit wistfully looks on.
According to Engadget, they say, we're not quite sure when the Federal Communications Commission got into the habit of tearing devices limb from limb after testing their wireless radiation levels, but we have to say we're loving the trend -- and there's quite nothing like peering into the juicy innards of a new Apple device. Here, the FCC got its greasy paws on the new Retina Display-packing iPod touch, aka "Apple A1367," and in the gallery below you can see exactly where Cupertino keeps that A4 processor, 3.44 watt-hour battery, internal antenna, and 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz WiFi. Read more at engadget.

LED-TVs Drive China DTV Market to Brighter Days.
In the first half of 2010, LED-backlit LCD-TVs gained significant popularity in the country as Chinese-based multinational electronics manufacturer Hisense as well as other worldwide OEMs introduced the new sets to the domestic market, according to China market research company iSuppli Corp.  Among the total shipments of leading companies, LED-TVs garnered 30 percent share during the first half of 2010 in China. iSuppli believes the market, driving the overall Chinese DTV space, will continue to expand until 2012 because of four reasons. Read the 4 reasons at isuppli.

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