Sharp Demonstrates Worldís First Continuous Grain Silicon LCD Display Technology At CES 2000

Demonstrating its commitment to driving the future of digital home and mobile entertainment with its proprietary LCD technology, Sharp Electronics Corporation today demonstrated its first-ever product incorporating the companyís revolutionary continuous grain silicon - CG-Silicon - LCD technology, a 60-inch high-definition rear projection display.On display at CES 2000 in Las Vegas, the LC-R60HDU will be available in the first quarter of 2000 at the suggested retail price of $49,995.Engineered to deliver superb visual detail, the SharpVision LC-R60HDU CG-Silicon rear projector produces incredibly lifelike and beautiful high-quality images and is ideal for viewing high definition broadcasts, DVD players and other digital video sources from virtually any angle.""Sharpís ground-breaking CG-Silicon technology is ushering in a new era of LCD digital image displays,"" said Bob Scaglione, Associate Vice President, Marketing, Home Digital Division, Sharp Electronics Corporation. ""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 lifelike 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 Sharpís LCD labs. Sharpís 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-Siliconís new smaller size 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 bright ambient light conditions.Natural, Lifelike 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-R60HDUís 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, and more by enabling high-speed devices to be formed on a single glass substrate.Setting New Standards In Image Display TechnologySince creating the worldís first electronic LCD calculator in 1973, Sharp has pioneered the development of cutting-edge LCD technology. Sharpís 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 worldís first 14"" 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.For on-line information, visit Sharpís Web site at http://www.sharp-usa.com or phone 877-DTV-SHARP. SharpVision LC-R60HDU High Definition CG Silicon Rear ProjectorSpecifications:Three 2.6-inch Wide CG Silicon TFT LCD Panels (Red, Green, Blue)1080i HDTV Compatibility CG (Continuous Grain) Silicon TFT Active-Matrix3.93 Million Dots ((1,280 x 1,024) x3) Resolution60 Inches (16:9 Aspect Ratio)Fine-Pitched Black Stripe Screen3-CCD Cross-Dichroic PrismUHP Lamp (Two 100-watt Lamps)Two 20-Watt SpeakersRCA Input: Y, PB, PR (or Y, CB, CR)BNC Input: Y, PB, PR (or Y, CB, CR) / (R, G, B, H, V) SwitchingD3 Image Input JackThree Composite Video Inputs: S2 Jack (Proprietary) / BNCRCA Stereo Jacks Compatible With Numerous Image FormatsOne 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, 50/60Hz370 Watts56.25-inch (W) x 57.8-inch (H) x 23.5-inch (D)253.5 lbs.Wireless Remote ControlAvailability: Q1 2000Suggested Retail Price: $49,995