Significant New Products Based on Texas Instruments DLP™ Announced at INFOCOMM

Dallas, TX, June 10, 1999 -- As in previous years, many projector manufacturers have chosen Infocomm to announce their most significant new products — and this is certainly true of those manufacturers who feature Digital Light Processing™ (DLP™), the projection/display system technology developed by Texas Instruments, in their products.

"You only have to look around the show floor" said Sherel D. Horsley, Senior Vice President and Manager of Marketing for Texas Instruments Digital Imaging group, "to see how pervasive DLP technology is becoming. But more importantly, DLP is continuing to enable the development of ground-breaking new products. In systems for large venues, our customers are demonstrating projectors with almost twice the resolution and brightness they showed at last year's Infocomm — and with even better image quality. In ultraportable projectors, we've seen DLP enable the redefining of the segment with sub-6lb and sub-5lb products which continue to uphold the DLP reputation for outstanding image quality. In the market for video walls, we're seeing systems at higher resolution and higher brightness yet which have a smaller footprint, lower weight and are lower in price. Projectors using DLP technology are unquestionably setting the pace in the industry."

Ultraportable And Business Projectors

The market for ultraportable projectors continues to be the fastest-growing segment of the market, and one which DLP-based projectors have dominated since early 1998. That domination is expected to continue with the announcement of a number of new projectors which feature even smaller size and lighter weight, without compromising image quality.

Compaq (Salon 21 at the Omni Rosen Hotel, and also on the TI booth) will, in advance of its official announcement, demonstrate their new DLP-based sub-5lb 'microportable' projector. Compaq has elected to provide an innovative 'all digital' capability designed specifically for the mobile presenter: a Compaq portable computer will be able to deliver digital images direct to the projector - eliminating the need for interim analog conversion - further enhancing image quality.

Davis (Booth 1059) will preview the Davis DP X16 'Road Warrior' which the company describes as a 'pocket' projector — given its weight of just five pounds and its dimensions of 10.0ins. x 8.1ins. x 3.0ins. The DP X16 features brightness of 800 ANSI lumens and XGA resolution. For those wishing to use the projector to watch movies, it features an on-screen 16:9 switch and Davis's AMSC™ (Advanced Motion Scan Conversion™) technology, enabling movies to be viewed in their original widescreen format and, according to Davis, with no loss of image quality. Also launched at Infocomm will be the Davis DL S8 and DL X10 ultraportable projectors. Infocomm 1999 represents the first major public showing of these new products in North America. The DL S8 will offer SVGA resolution and deliver 800 ANSI lumens, while the DL X10 features XGA resolution and delivers 1,000 ANSI lumens. Both systems implement a new 150W UHP lamp and feature a new, improved colour wheel, as well as a contrast ratio of 450:1 or better. All Davis ultraportable systems weigh 4.5kgs (9.9lbs), feature a long life (2,000 hour) lamp and offer optional TV tuners.

Market leader InFocus (Booth 1331) — whose DLP-based LP420 and LP425 topped the best-seller lists in North America throughout 1998 — will further strengthen its product line with the introduction of the LP™330. Weighing in at an incredible 4.8lbs, the LP330 features true XGA resolution, 650 lumens — more than enough to allow true 'lights on' presentations — 'Executive Remote Plus' and a zoom lens. Also featured in the InFocus booth will be the successors to the highly successful LP420 and LP425. First announced worldwide in February, there are now three LP4XX models. The entry-level LP400 establishes a new level of affordability, weighs only 6.8lbs and features SVGA resolution, a fixed lens and 700 ANSI lumens. The family now includes a version featuring a zoom lens and 900 ANSI lumens (LP425z), or XGA resolution (LP435z) — the latter delivering 1000 ANSI lumens in a package weighing only 7.4lbs.

3M (Booth 1601) will demonstrate their first DLP-based product. The 3M™ MP8750 delivers 1,500 lumens at true XGA resolution and boasts, according to the company, the smallest footprint in its category: it weighs just 16 pounds. Remarkably, the MP8750 is based on a single Digital Micromirror Device™ (DMD™) implementation of DLP technology. The company is marketing the system as the ideal large-group solution for corporations, universities and convention facilities managers.

Another significant first appearance will take place on the Liesegang (Booth 0561) booth where the Liesegang ddv 1500 will be shown in North America for the first time. The ddv 1500 offers 1,500 ANSI lumens of brightness, features XGA resolution and weighs only 16lbs. Key features include the provision of interchangeable lenses - including back projection and long throw lenses - and an electronic image shift facility to eliminate keystoning. Like the 3M MP8750, the ddv 1500 is based on a single Digital Micromirror Device™ (DMD™) implementation of DLP technology.

"These announcements from 3M and Liesegang are significant for two reasons," said Dennis Fritsche, Manager of Business Product Solutions for TI's Digital Imaging division. "First, they show what can be done with the single DMD architecture: there had been those who doubted that a single DMD could deliver this level of brightness. Second, they establish a whole new price/performance point which will allow DLP-based projectors to serve a new market in the conference room which previously we had been unable to address."

NEC Technologies (Booth 2943) will announce new additions to its growing family of DLP-based ultraportable projectors. The MultiSync LT84 and LT140, two new 'notebook-size' projectors, offer a new combination of price/performance to add to the MultiSync LT81 (SVGA resolution, 800 ANSI lumens) which was announced in February, and the MultiSync LT100 (XGA resolution, 1000 ANSI lumens) which received the prestigious 'Best Product' and Five Stars awards in the May issue of PC/Computing Magazine. The LT84 weighs around five pounds and features SVGA resolution and 700 ANSI lumens, while the LT140 features true XGA resolution and 800 ANSI lumens. Both projectors offer what NEC claims is an unusually broad feature set, including a built-in PC Card viewer, a USB port, credit-card-sized full function remote control, keystone correction and NEC's proprietary AutoSense technology, which allows for simpler set-up.

Meanwhile, PLUS Corporation of America (Booth 2321) will demonstrate for the first time two new additions to its growing family of DLP-based ultraportables. Announced on May 11th, the 5.7lb, XGA resolution, 800 lumen PLUS® U2-1080 and its stable mate the 5.6lb, SVGA resolution 700 lumen PLUS® U2-870 both feature an ANSI full on/off contrast ratio of 500:1, digital keystone correction, advanced compression technology and manual/digital image zooming among a host of other features. Also on display will be the PLUS UP-1100 XGA resolution, 1,000 ANSI lumen 10.5lb projector and its SVGA resolution counterparts, the 9.9lb UP-800 (600 lumens) and the UP-880 (800 lumens).

Sharp Electronics Corporation (Booth 2143) will unveil the ultraportable Notevision7 (XG-NV7XU) Digital Multimedia Projector, with a thin, light design uniquely enabled by DLP technology. The Notevision7 is among the very first ultra-compact projectors to offer a PanelLink standard digital input in this class. Signals remain digital from the source device to the projector, avoiding the analog conversions that create image noise. The Notevision7 is also compatible with High Definition TV sources (480I/480P/720P/1080I).

High Brightness/Large Venue Projectors

The fact that TI's DLP Cinema™ technology was selected by Lucasfilm Ltd. to participate in a truly ground-breaking event — a digital electronic cinema demonstration of Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace, in two locations beginning June 18, 1999 — was a significant testimony to the unrivalled image quality which DLP technology enables. This will be the first public demonstration of a full-length motion picture from a major studio using digital electronic projectors in movie theatres to replace the normal film projectors.

Manufacturers of high brightness DLP-based projectors, designed for applications in large venues, will demonstrate at Infocomm why it is that DLP continues to be the technology of choice for the most demanding, most critical users who require compelling images with which to captivate audiences.

BARCO (Booth 1852) will introduce two new high performance, high brightness large screen DLP-based projectors: the BARCO ELM G10 and the BARCO ELM R12 — the first in a new family of Extreme Light Machine (ELM) projectors. The BARCO ELM G10 features a light output of 10,000 lumens at XGA resolution: the BARCO ELM R12 delivers 12,000 lumens at SXGA resolution. BARCO has combined DLP technology with its own True Color Reproduction (TCRPlus) processing for what the company says is unsurpassed color uniformity and fidelity. Digital gamma correction circuits guarantee, according to BARCO, precise grayscale tracking. BARCO's TCRPlus processing is also claimed to reduces noise in the projected video image and improve the contrast ratio. A loop-through Serial Digital Input (SDI) further provides an all-digital path from external sources directly to the projector's DLP engine to enhance digital video image quality.

BARCO's ELM projectors can be equipped with a wide range of easy-to-replace high quality zoom lenses with a throw ratio ranging between 1.9 and 8.7 times the screen width (BARCO ELM G10) or between 1.5 and 7 times the screen width (BARCO ELM R12). The motorized horizontal and vertical lens shift, zoom, focus and the motorized image tilt function further facilitate the setup of the projectors.

BARCO's ELM projectors feature specially developed rigging points, which are compatible with the standard rigging gear for easy truss mounting. For even higher light output, two or three units can be stacked. The ELMs also feature an integrated all-round carrying handle and optional front and side forklift chassis attachment to allow for easy handling and safe transportation .

TI's longest-standing customer for DLP subsystems, Digital Projection (Booth 1668) — who were jointly honored with TI in June 1998 when both companies received the prestigious Emmy award — will again expand its product line by launching its LIGHTNING sx series at Infocomm. All based on Texas Instruments SXGA DLP technology, Digital Projection's LIGHTNING Displays start at 10,000 ANSI lumens and will feature Faroudja decoding and Cintel video processing for what the company says will be 'unmatched projection clarity'. A representative selection of Digital Projection's large — and growing — range of DLP-based high brightness projectors will also be featured on the booth, including the recently announced XGA resolution, 8,000 lumen POWER 8gv and the POWER 5gvC. Targeted at those companies wishing to equip their boardrooms and conference rooms with projectors featuring the ultimate in image quality, the POWER 5gvC delivers 4,500 ANSI lumens at XGA resolution and features an all-new 'compact chassis' design.

Electrohome (Booth 1343) will take the opportunity to launch no fewer than four new DLP-based products. The company will be holding an exclusive press conference on Friday June 11 at 10:30 a.m. in room 207B at the Orlando Convention Center at which, according to Electrohome, it will announce an exciting new product in the 3-chip DLP line of high brightness projectors. Electrohome will also announce the VistaGRAPHX 10K Roadie which features XGA resolution and 10,000 ANSI lumens. For mid-range applications, the VistaGRAPHX 5000 has XGA resolution, 5,000 ANSI lumens and a built-in douser: it is, says Electrohome, available for immediate delivery. Finally, Electrohome will be demonstrating a prototype of the GRAPHXMaster system, a new XGA resolution, 600 ANSI lumen integrator product based on the single DMD DLP architecture.

Also featured on the Electrohome booth will be the VistaGRAPHX 8000 Roadie and the DLP-based video wall display cube, the EQ4052-S.

As well as announcing its two new 'notebook size' projectors, NEC Technologies (Booth 2943) will be adding to its range of DLP-based 'HLO' (High Light Output) systems with the demonstration of a new projector codenamed 'MultiSync T5'. With XGA resolution and light output of 4,500 ANSI lumens, NEC says that the very small size and light weight of the T5, together with its aggressive price positioning, will open up new markets with applications such as mainstream rental and large-screen applications. The NEC family of DLP-based systems is completed by the MultiSync HiVid 6500 HLO projector: featuring XGA resolution and 6,500 ANSI lumens of brightness.

Panasonic (Booth 3343) will debut its first-ever DLP-based product, the PT-D9500 Ultra High Brightness XGA Multimedia projector. With true XGA resolution, in excess of 8,000 ANSI lumens and a wide range of optional zoom lenses, the PT-D9500 is targeted at a broad range of applications where outstanding image quality and high brightness are customer requirements.

Video Walls

Video wall manufactures continue to be attracted by the benefits of DLP technology, citing how DLP uniquely enables the development of small footprint/light weight cubes which feature the image quality for which DLP is renowned and a low cost of ownership, enabled by the convergence adjustment-free architecture of the DLP subsystem.

Clarity Visual Systems Inc. (Booth 4246) will feature the first public showing of two newly-announced products. The WN-5230-S is a 52-inch diagonal rear-projection display based on the single-DMD DLP architecture. With an 8,000 hour lamp, low power consumption and no need for ongoing re-convergence, the WN-5230-S will offer reduced lifetime cost of ownership. It has also been designed to be electronically compatible with the WN-5240-S. Clarity will also announce its innovative ColorEdge™ system for use with its DLP-based large screen digital displays. The company claims that ColorEdge is a technology breakthrough which enables optimum color consistency between cubes arranged in video or data walls, and thus contributes to ease of installation and ease of use.

ComView Graphics (Booth 769) will take the opportunity at Infocomm to announce what the company calls 'its first DLP-based total integrated visualization solution'. The ViewBoard™ - DS is a 52" video cube, and offers what ComView describes as 'a number of unique features', including automatic lens correction and automatic color, geometry and intensity correction: it is also, the company says, 'the only system to bring the mullion to the minimum possible (0.2mm) and achieve true seamlessness'.

The ViewBoard is supported by ComView's PixelPerfect™ technology and the ViewMaestro™ ASIC based controller, which enables the display of up to 24 windows from workstations, PCs and video sources simultaneously. The ViewBoard - DS is targeted at applications in control rooms, debriefing rooms, conference rooms, advertising and events. Premiered originally at Infocomm 1998, Electrosonic (Booth 2769) will once more be showing its ProDigital™ cube. Combining DLP technology with an intelligent Electrosonic processor, the ProDigital will accept PC graphics or video input without an intermediary video controller.

Another company to have added DLP technology to its video wall product line is Lanetco (Booth 670). Lanetco will debut its MV-50S. The MV-50S features an internal high resolution processor which will accept any video signal — including PAL, SECAM, NTSC and 1,280 x 1,024 graphics. According to Lanetco, a key feature of their approach is that each cube contains its own signal splitter, obviating the need for an expensive external processor.

Mitsubishi (Booth 1553) will demonstrate its 'DLP Multimedia Display System'. Although not yet released in North America as a standalone product, the company feels its DLP-based video wall (which is at present available only in Japan) is the ideal platform for showing high resolution images. Innovative features include an ultra-short optical focusing system, allowing each cube to be an incredibly shallow 24.5 inches (59cms); a long-life lamp and automatic lamp changing system to enable non-stop monitoring; Digital Color Space Control to ensure correct and uniform color blending between cubes; Digital Smoothing Gradation Circuit which measures, and then adjusts, the brightness of each cube, assuring optimum image uniformity.

SIM2 Multimedia (Booth 2101) will announce the Sèleco SDV52 video wall. The system is designed around the 1-chip DLP subsystem to provide videowalls based on 52" cubes and a Graphics Central Splitting Unit (GCS) which enables the system to manage computer input at a resolution of up to 1600 x 1200. SIM2 Multimedia claims that unique features of the SDV52 include a special screen which minimizes Moiré effects, six mechanical adjustments for pixel-precise matching between cubes and a detachable screen for ease of service and reduced transportation cost. SIM2 Multimedia will also demonstrate their SDV-2200 (XGA resolution, 2,200 lumen) and SDV-1300 (SVGA resolution, 1,300 lumen) projectors.

Synelec (Booth 969), the first company to introduce video wall solutions based on DLP technology, will demonstrate its new Lite Master 67" display cubes with native XGA 1024 x 768 resolution in a twelve cube wall. Synelec will also feature its RGB processors as well as its computer network processors that support NT and UNIX computer networks. These processors will drive a videowall comprised of Synelec's Lite Master 50" SVGA cubes. Also on the booth will be 'Audience by Synelec' — a visually striking standalone 67" rear projection system designed for conference room use and other corporate applications, with XGA resolution, video and graphics capability.

Toshiba (Booth 1101) will demonstrate its PD410DLU cubes. Shown for the first time in North America at NAB in April, Toshiba will demonstrate the PD410DLU in a 2 x 2 configuration. The P410DLU uses a daisy-chained digital signal link between cubes which not only allows the bright, crisp DLP image to be optimally preserved but which also virtually eliminates the 'clutter' of behind-the-scenes cables normally associated with this type of solution.

Today, TI supplies DLP subsystems to more than twenty-five of the world's top projector manufacturers, who then design, manufacture and market DLP-based projectors. Over the past three years, DLP-based projectors have consistently won some of the audio-visual industry's most prestigious awards, including, in June 1998, an Emmy Award from the American Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Since shipments began in early 1996, TI has delivered over 165,000 DLP subsystems to its customers. There are now over fifty DLP-based products in the market.

At the heart of TI's Digital Light Processing technology is the Digital Micromirror Device (DMD), an optical semiconductor chip that has an array of 480,000 (SVGA), 786,000 (XGA) or 1,310,000 (SXGA) hinged, microscopic mirrors mounted on a standard logic device. These tiny mirrors operate as optical switches to create a high resolution, full color image. 

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NOTE TO EDITORS: Texas Instruments Incorporated is a global semiconductor company and the world's leading designer and supplier of digital signal processing and analog technologies, the engines driving the digitization of electronics. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the company's businesses also include materials and controls, educational and productivity solutions, and digital imaging. The company has manufacturing or sales operations in more than 25 countries.

Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TXN. More information on TI's DLP technology can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.ti.com/dlp.

Digital Light Processing, DLP, Digital Micromirror Device, DMD and DLP Cinema are all trademarks of Texas Instruments. All other products and names may or may not be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.