3M Adopts FLCOS for their Ultra-Compact Projector

3M develop ultra-small projector but the imager they adopt is not DLP Pico but LCOS. They have started to selling their first generation product "MPro110" in Japan from November ('08).

LCOS for MPro110 is using Himax (Taiwan)'s 640 x 480 panel, white LED as light source and RGM color filter on each pixel as sub-pixel system. That is, the same system as liquid crystal displays. However there are some difficulties in the light efficiency as there is some strange behavior with white LED light spectrum, has to go through RGB color filters, and RGB sub-pixel decreases the aperture ratio. So 3M embarked to develop the second generation ultra-compact projector "MM200" and announced at this CES.

They use LCOS for MM200 and they adopted Displaytech's FLCOS(Ferroelectric LCOS ) known as the microdisplay maker of EVF for digital still cameras and video camcorders. FLCOS is a reflective liquid crystal panel that uses a liquid crystal molecules with the characteristics of voluntary and fast aligned and its response speed is very fast. MM200 resolution 640 x 480 dots and can be directly replaced with MPro110m however they are not using sub-pixel system with color filter.

MPro110 optical engine on the left. Right next to it is the FLCOS optical engine "MM200"	MM200 is 14 gram	FLCOS panel is 0.38" and bigger than DLP Pico's 0.17"

They use RGB LED as light source and apply R, G, B light directly to FLCOS panel field sequentially, similar to DLP, and reproduce full color. The light efficiency is higher than sub-pixel system because each pixel represents full color. It also reproduce color very well as it uses LED color without using color filter.

FLCOS system (left) and sub-pixel system with color filter (right). Differences in aperture ratio and light efficiency appear in the image quality	One panel is used. Full color is achieved by field sequential system.	Each RGB fields consists of two fields

Frame rate is 60Hz. Field sequential color is 360Hz (= 60Hz x RGB x 2). In other words, each RGB plane is represented in 2 filed. Unlike DLP, FLCOS is liquid crystal so sub field can be generated with analog.

It may be easier to think that it use ideas of DLP by using FLCOS. As each RGB sub field is synthesized by filed sequentially generated, there is a risk of color breakup similar to DLP. However, 3M has successfully made it to smaller than former Mro110 engine and downsize the height from 10mm to 12mm. They improved color reproduction as well and they achieved in covering 100% of NTSC color gamut. Regarding lumen per watt, that of MPro110 was 5 lumens per watt, and that of MM200 improve to 7-8 lumens per watt.

Size of MM200 prototype is about the same size as Mpro110	Battery life is about an hour

They showed me the image of MM200. It feels much more resolution than DLP Pico. DLP Pico-style panels in a 480 x 320 dot in rectangular pixel and when it is displayed, converted from 640 x 480 dot so it tends to be difficult to reach the texts. While, with MM200 which has 640 x 480 dot, you can display the image just as you have on the PC. With this, you can use it for browsing pictures and text information without complain. I felt brightness is much improved from MPro110 too. Color is outstandingly evolved from MPro 110 as its using LED color at most.

They have not mention about specific release schedule. They said "within FY2009". Price is not set yet but it is believed as the same price range as MPro 110.

Projected image. High quality in displaying texts. They said they are developing WVGA version too. Thanks to LED color, color quality is superior.

LG Electronics DLP Pico technology. Unexpected direct confrontation with 3M!?

LG Electronics is also developing a DLP Pico projector with ultra-small. A prototype was exhibited in dark corner, Only the basic information such as 10 lumens brightness, resolution 480 x 320 dot, engine size 45 x 22 x 10mm, power 1W, no fan, was publicly announced.

LG Electronics DLP Pico projector mockup enclosure. It appears to be designed on the assumption that the product is "Media Player + projector" just as Samsung. Publicly announced brightness(Which means if you lead between lines Nishikawa-san does not believe it) is 10 lumens brightness. Quite bright

However, during the interview with, LG Electronics, Displaytech's engineer who provide 3M the projector panel happened to visit LG booth. Comparison shot out with MM200 with FLCOS could happen. I have got permission of both parties to take photos

If you compare looking, I felt MM200 is much more like as it is specified and more resolution than LG Electronics is the DLP Pico than prototype. Both has similar high saturation LED color. Brightness, at first look, LG Electronics one has slightly brighter.

3M MM200	LG Electronics DLP