Another LCOS in works...

FYI


Philips to Showcase 44-Inch LCOS-Based Rear-Projection TV Prototype at SID

2002


Philips' LCOS Inventor Heralded for Accomplishments in Bringing Technology

To Fruition


SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Royal Philips

Electronics (AEX: PHI; NYSE: PHG) today announced it will demonstrate a

44-inch liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS)-based rear-projection television at

the Society for Information Display Symposium (SID) 2002 this May in Boston,

Mass. Based on Philips' revolutionary single-panel engaze LCOS technology,

this 44-inch prototype follows on the heels of a 36-inch demonstrator that was

showcased and well received by the display community late last year. The

company credits legendary Philips Research inventor Ir. Ties te Velde (at 73,

now retired) with bringing LCOS technology to market realization.

Philips' LCOS panel is a landmark in projection technology, and te Velde's

invention forms the basis for the technology used today. The idea of using an

LCOS panel for projection has been followed up by many manufacturers in the

projection industry. Unlike most liquid crystal displays (LCDs), LCOS light

engines are reflective instead of transmissive, which means that the driving

electronics can be hidden behind the pixels. This enables more light to pass

through to the projection screen. The result is a projection display that

produces outstanding high definition television (HDTV) pictures that can

finally enable HDTV for the consumer.

Compared to Digital Micromirror Devices(TM) (DMDs), cathode ray tubes

(CRTs) and transmissive LCDs, LCOS is the most promising technology long term

for large-scale applications, such as jumbo TVs, home theatre and cinema

systems, delivering superior resolution, speed and quality advantages.

Moreover, LCOS is lower in cost compared to other existing technologies and

boasts a digital interface for a high level of system integration-all while

maintaining an extremely flat, sleek and compact profile.


Strong LCOS IP Portfolio

Philips holds the majority of basic LCOS patents*, as well as significant

patents for projection architectures for LCDs and DMDs. As a result, Philips

possesses the strongest LCOS intellectual-property (IP) position in the

market.

Commenting on Philips' IP strength in the LCOS arena, Matt Medeiros,

president and CEO of Philips Components, the division behind today's

announcement, noted, "Philips is committed to driving the emergence of

enabling new technologies and products that will shape the display

industry-ultimately revolutionizing the consumer electronics market as we know

it."

The demonstrations of the 44- and 36-inch display prototypes further

signal that LCOS is in the mature stages of development, putting it one step

closer to actual end-product commercialization in the relatively near future.

Philips' LCOS initiative, a major cross-divisional effort, involves every

aspect of the value chain-from concept, chip and panel creation, to engine,

lighting and actual end product. Philips' Consumer Electronics division is

providing a key component of the effort, having announced at CES 2002 that it

plans to bring an LCOS-based TV to market in 2003. In addition to its work

with sister division, Philips Components (which provides the panel, engine and

customized integration support) is also working with other leading consumer

electronics OEMs to commercialize this highly awaited technology.

Philips' 44-inch prototype will be showcased during SID 2002, to be held

at Boston's Hynes Convention Center from May 19-24. Editors interested in

seeing this demonstration or learning more about Philips' LCOS technology and

others in its vast portfolio are encouraged to drop by Philips' booth #2629,

or contact Marie Labrie of MCA 650-968-8900, ext. 119 to set up a one-on-one

briefing.


Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands is one of the world's biggest

electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales of $28.8 billion

(EUR 32.3 billion) in 2001. It is a global leader in color television sets,

lighting, electric shavers, medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring,

and one-chip TV products. Its 186,000 employees in more than 60 countries are

active in the areas of lighting, consumer electronics, domestic appliances,

components, semiconductors, and medical systems. Philips is quoted on the

NYSE (symbol: PHG), London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and other stock exchanges.

News from Philips is located at www.news.philips.com.


NOTE: DMD is a registered trademark of Texas Instruments


Hope they will have front projector with that special bulb soon.

Artur.