Yes, I did say SINGLE CHIP LCoS. I'm surprised I didn't see anything in this forum yet.

In this months Perfect Vision there was a review on this years CES and I caught a small blurb on a new Microdisplay from Akai (and also Memorex of all companies) that will be sold through Sams Club (not where I would prefer to shop) and Costo. Of course, that wouldn't be a big deal, except after looking into this I discovered this is a SINGLE chip LCoS TV! The sets are being manufactured by a company called "MicroDisplay Corp.";

http://www.microdisplay.com/?p=17

They are calling their LCoS 'chip'; "Liquid Fidelity FHD-8".

There is a info packet here in a 'zip' download (with separate pdf files);
http://www.microdisplay.com/img/MicroDisplay_Corp_Info.zip

The highlights of those are in these posts as attachments.
Press releases;

Specs on the chip and light path;

Of course, the obvious downside is the dreaded color wheel! Understanding that most who chose LCoS over DLP is probably because of the lack of a color wheel, the question is; Why would I want one of these??

1. Their cheaper.
2. No convergence issues with a single panel (though with the latest LCoS sets from JVC and Sony, that doesn't seem to be a issue any more).
3. Lastly, these do NOT have the wobulation of the TI DLP chips!. IOW's NO MIRRORS

Here are the specs from that first link for the TVs'. They will have a QAM tuner (no CC slot) and separate inputs for OTA and cable which is a pleasant surprise. There is a third component input on the front panel. The sets will be available in 52", 56" & 62" sizes. Notice the Edge Enhancement & Noise Reduction is adjustable. Also notice that input labeling is available and there are separate preset memories for each input;

But, in spite of all of the above; just how well will Akai & Memorex support these?
Or will they be just another Poloraid??

If you read through this thread on a LED set with the Akai name, the answer is obvious;
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=799387

For a partial answer the question about Akai, take a look here.Though, that still doesn't tell us just who makes their stuff (other than these TVs').; APH USA a subsidary of ESI Enterprises, the exclusive sales, marketing and distribution arm for Akai branded...............in the US.

These run on a Linux platform, use a Gennum VXP processor and Avtrex user interface that can be customized;

Really surprised here as I thought this would bring some discussion.

I saw the set at CES. It was obviously just a Microdisplay Corp design that was stuck in the booth with an Akai label glued on. There were Microdisplay Corp stickers all over the thing. It looks much more like a prototype than a final product. I don't know how serious Akai is about this product, it looked more like something they were trying to see if there was any interest.

Frankly, the design looked kind of dumpy. It is design so that base has all the electronics in it and then you change the top part with the mirror and the screen to give the screen size. In this way one base can be used with multiple screen sizes. It looks like to funny to me.

I don't know what rate the color wheel was spinning, but it definitely had the Rainbow Effect (RBE). Apparently it uses a spiral color wheel and the spec's say it can go "up to" 540Hz.

Of course, the obvious downside is the dreaded color wheel! Understanding that most who chose LCoS over DLP is probably because of the lack of a color wheel, the question is; Why would I want one of these??

You are so right, I can see RBE thats why I got the JVC 70" Pro and not the Tosh or Mits 73" sets.

I don't know how serious Akai is about this product, it looked more like something they were trying to see if there was any interest. Not that I'm trying to 'sell' this, but each year there are plenty of "prototypes" at the CES. The press release stated that Akai and Memorex sign on to this. The design seems to be a cross between Samsung and JVC. From that one photo it doesn't look"dumpy" to me, but I wasn't there to see it in person. But, it was a prototype.

The point that caught my attention is the NON wobulation chip without those silly mirrors!

halsan40; You forgot your 2nd qoute symbol ([/qoute]).

I believe I read someware that Lcos didn't switch fast enough to have a 1 chip display configuration.

The PR spoke about the refresh rate being fast.

Not that I'm trying to 'sell' this, but each year there are plenty of "prototypes" at the CES. The press release stated that Akai and Memorex sign on to this. The design seems to be a cross between Samsung and JVC. From that one photo it doesn't look"dumpy" to me, but I wasn't there to see it in person. But, it was a prototype.

I'm not sure what picture you are talking about, but if it is the one in the zip file, this "photo" appears to be more of an artist rendering than an actual photo (they appear to have added a fake shadow and reflection -- take a close look, the reflection does not mirror the base above it). Also take a look at where the base joins to the screen. You will see that there is an air gap on the right side, yet it joins to the screen on the left side. I'm just working from memory, but I think the base looked thicker at CES; it looks to me like they had the artist do a little sliming down in editing.

I believe I read someware that Lcos didn't switch fast enough to have a 1 chip display configuration.

LCOS can be used in field sequential RPTVs, Philips made a field sequential LCOS RPTV for a couple of years, but it usually means giving up something. The MicroDisplay Corp TV definitely has the rainbow effect. Field sequential gives up a lot of light with LCOS (more than 3X) and there is a trade-off between light loss and color saturation.

Often the faster switching LCOS uses lower contrast twisted nematic liquid crystal compared to the high constrast "VAN" used by say JVC and Sony. You might notice that the chip spec says >1150:1 contrast where JVC and Sony are talking chip contrast better than 5000:1.

JVC is selling 3 chip LCOS 720 RPTVs so cheap now, how much cheaper do you want to go? Do you want a disposable TV?

I think most people will prefer the inherent quality and light efficiency of a 3 chip LCOS machine. Certainly, I would rather have 3 chip 720 than 1 chip 1080!


IB

One thing JVC doesn't have or just doesn't have their act together about and that is TWO separate RF inputs so you can actually use the TV to it's full extent! They need a class from Mits in tuner setup. What good is having a ATSC & a QAM tuner and only about to use one or the other (assuming you do have cable nad odn't want one of their STBs' to feed coin to)?