Sharp Introduces World's First Continuous Grain Silicon LCD Display Technology

Demonstrating its commitment to driving the future of digital home and mobile entertainment with its proprietary LCD technology, Sharp Electronics Corporation today announced its first-ever product incorporating the company's revolutionary continuous grain silicon (CG-Silicon) LCD technology - a 60-inch high definition rear projection display.Engineered to deliver superbly detailed images, the SharpVision LC-R60HDU CG-Silicon rear projector produces incredibly life-like and beautiful high-quality images ideal for viewing high definition broadcasts, DVD players and other digital video sources, from virtually any angle.""Sharp is ushering in a new era of digital image display technology with the introduction of our CG-Silicon technology,"" said Robert P. Scaglione, Associate Vice President, Home Digital Division. ""We believe CG-Silicon will serve as the foundation for developing such innovative products as paper-thin multimedia laptops and credit-card sized communications tools and devices. Sharp also plans to apply this technology to a new line of display products in the near future.""Highest Clarity - An Incredible 3.93 Million PixelsThe SharpVision LC-R60HDU CG-Silicon rear projector integrates three 2.6-inch wide continuous grain silicon TFT LCD panels that deliver a total resolution of 3.93 million pixels, among the highest in the industry. Each of the three CG Silicon panels (red, green and blue) contain a 1.31 million pixel count (1,280 x 1,024) that together let consumers experience the most life-like digital images, with higher resolution, increased brightness and superior contrast than conventional projection systems.Extraordinary BrightnessThe LC-R60HDU offers an unprecedented level of clarity and brightness (1000 cd/m2), the result of several proprietary optoelectronic techniques developed over many years by Sharp's LCD labs. Sharp's patented double-lamp system optical mechanism offers viewers a bright, clear image right down to the last detail. The uniformity (CCR) between the image center and corners is 85 percent, among the highest in the industry.CG-Silicon's new smaller sized thin film transistors also provide greater light transmissivity through each pixel on the LCD panels, enabling more light to pass through to the viewer. The result is brighter images than ever before seen on a rear projector, even in ambient light conditions.Natural, Life-like ColorBy offering the most advanced color filters available, the LC-R60HDU achieves the highest level of color purity without sacrificing brightness, resulting in precise color fidelity throughout the entire screen image for consistently natural colors. In addition, the unit uses a new dichroic prism system that controls white balance, allowing for a wide range of naturally reproduced colors.High ContrastFaster switching pixel technology provides a whole new level of video realism. The LC-R60HDU's switching pixels enable finer transition from light to dark scenes, translating to a 400:1 contrast ratio unrivaled by most rear projection systems. As a result, the LC-R60HDU displays exquisite detail even in extreme dark or light scenes.In addition, built-in three-dimensional Y/C circuitry creates high-quality images that are clear right down to the most minute details. Even with a large 60-inch screen, the LC-R60HDU produces images that are true to life, with no interline noise on the scanning lines and no flicker.Development Of CG-Silicon TechnologyIn this new CG-Silicon process, a thin film of high-performance silicon is formed on a substrate by using a state-of-the-art solid-phase technique. By analyzing the CG-Silicon thin-film semiconductor with a high-resolution electron microscope and an electron beam diffraction image, it was proved that the CG-Silicon semiconductor had an unprecedented level of crystal orientation as well as atomic-level continuity in its silicon grain boundary.CG-Silicon retains an atomic-level continuity at the boundary between the silicon grain, thereby enabling electrons to travel through the semiconductor approximately 600 times faster than an amorphous silicon TFT and approximately four times faster than an ordinary low-temperature polysilicon TFT. This makes possible a high electron mobility of 300 cm2/Vs (with 1 GHz maximum oscillation frequency), which is extremely close to that of single-crystal silicon. With the CG-Silicon process, digital circuits can be used in super-compact high-definition LCDs. It also makes possible systems-on-panel (SOP) and systems-on-glass (SOG) with the interface and all other peripheral circuits incorporated into a single substrate.In the future, CG-Silicon technology will enable development of ultra-thin technological devices, such as multimedia mobile terminals, portable image-processing tools, mobile communications equipment, credit card-size communications tools, etc., by enabling high-speed devices to be formed on a single glass substrate.Setting New Standards In Image Display TechnologySince creating the world's first electronic LCD calculator in 1973, Sharp has pioneered the development of cutting-edge LCD technology. Sharp's leading LCD position is embodied in the advances in the high-contrast, wide-viewing angle and large screen technologies that led to the 1987 introduction of the world's first 14-inch TFT color LCD and 100"" LCD video projection systems. Innovative Sharp technologies have accelerated image display development, moving the industry toward larger-sized LCD screens with more vivid colors and higher resolution - from calculators to mobile communications devices to front and rear projection LCD displays.Specifications- Three 2.6-inch Wide CG Silicon TFT LCD Panels (Red, Green, Blue)- 1080i HDTV Compatibility CG (Continuous Grain) Silicon TFT Active-Matrix- 3.93 Million Dots ((1,280 x 1,024) x3) Resolution- 60 Inches (16:9 Aspect Ratio)- Fine-Pitched Black Stripe Screen- 3-CCD Cross-Dichroic Prism- UHP Lamp (Two 100-watt Lamps)- Two 20-Watt Speakers- RCA Input: Y, PB, PR (or Y, CB, CR)- BNC Input: Y, PB, PR (or Y, CB, CR) / (R, G, B, H, V) Switching- D3 Image Input Jack- Three Composite Video Inputs: S2 Jack (Proprietary) / BNC- RCA Stereo Jacks Compatible With Numerous Image Formats- One RCA Jack, One BNC Jack (Only For Composite Input)- RCA Stereo Jacks (One Fixed Level, One Variable)- RS-232C Connector (For PC Control)- 100V AC, 50/60Hz- 370 Watts- 1,429 (W) x 1,469 (H) x 597 (D)- 115 KG - Wireless Remote ControlAbout Sharp ElectronicsSharp Electronics Corporation is the U.S. sales and marketing subsidiary of Japan's Sharp Corporation, a worldwide developer of the core technologies that are playing an integral role in shaping the next generation of portable audio and home entertainment products. Responsible for introducing the revolutionary Viewcam and SharpVision line of LCD projectors, Sharp continues to demonstrate its leadership in entertainment by advancing technologies such as High Definition Digital Television (HDTV) and MiniDisc (MD). Sharp provides a variety of innovative, entertainment-related solutions designed to help increase enjoyment while offering functionality to meet customer needs. Dedicated to improving people's lives through the use of advanced technology and a commitment to innovation, quality, value and design, Sharp Electronics employs approximately 3,100 people nationwide to support its more than 50 product lines.

The LC-R60HDU will be available in Q1 2000 at the estimated retail price of approximately $49,995.For on-line information, visit Sharp's Web site at http://www.sharp-usa.com or phone 877-DTV-SHARP.