DISPLAYTECH SHIPS ONE MILLIONTH MICRODISPLAY - MARKING AN INDUSTRY MILESTONE
For Immediate Release
MONTEREY, Calif., December 11, 2001 - Displaytech, Inc., the leader in the design, development, manufacturing and marketing of ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) microdisplays, today announced the shipment of its one millionth microdisplay, after only 12 months of volume production.
The millionth microdisplay shipped was a LightView NTSC Monochrome FLC Video Display, produced specifically for use in electronic viewfinders of digital camcorders. Unlike competing microdisplays produced for camcorders, the Displaytech product is a one-chip solution, accepting analog video input directly into the microdisplay backplane, eliminating the need for any additional interface. The LightView NTSC Display is used in the JVC miniDV digital camcorder, among others. LightView is the company's line of personal view microdisplays and also includes the QVGA Display Module used primarily in digital still cameras such as the Minolta DiMAGE 5 and DiMAGE 7 and the Concord EyeQ 3X SLR Zoom and Go!. Displaytech also produces the LightCaster® line of projection microdisplays for rear projection television applications. All three products contributed to the millionth display production milestone.
Manufacturing technology and a fast ramp by Displaytech's exclusive manufacturing partner, the Miyota Company of Japan, have allowed Displaytech to increase volume production quickly this past year and achieve this milestone. The company projects 2002 microdisplay shipments for all product lines combined will exceed two million units.
The LightView personal view microdisplays offer high contrast ratios, fill factors and reflectivity resulting in sharp, high quality image representation. Low power consumption greatly extends the battery life of mobile electronic devices, and the microdisplay's tiny form factors and light weight allow for product design innovation. Product applications include digital still cameras and camcorders, wireless communication devices, portable DVD viewers, battery-powered games, and other ultra-portable display uses. Specifications for all Displaytech products can be found on the company's Web site, www.displaytech.com.
"These two Displaytech LightView products mark the first mass production of reflective liquid crystal on silicon, or LCOS, devices," says Dick Barton, Displaytech's chief operating officer. "This landmark of one million displays validates to the display industry the commercial success of this class of device, as we see mainstream consumer electronics products with reflective LCOS microdisplay viewfinders being sold." This achievement also marks the first volume production of any FLC displays.
"In the past twelve months, we have taken product from prototype volumes to high volume delivery," says Haviland Wright, Displaytech CEO and chairman. "This was truly a joint effort by Displaytech and our customers, distributors, and manufacturing partner and we appreciate the hard work and creativity they brought to this challenge. New customers and new products coming on line will drive our volumes up further going forward, and we look forward to substantial growth in 2002."
About Displaytech
Longmont, Colo.-based Displaytech Inc. makes and sells microdisplays with superior image quality to performance-driven consumer electronics companies, providing sustainable competitive advantages to their digital still cameras, camcorders, business projectors, projection TVs and mobile communication devices. Displaytech offers high-quality, patented, ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) display products through its LightView and LightCaster® product lines, which use less power and have smaller form factors, allowing for product design innovation and meeting tough manufacturing demands. Established partnerships with industry-leading manufacturers also position Displaytech to keep pace with the challenges of the high-volume consumer electronics market. For more information visit www.displaytech.com.
CONTACT: |
Steve Reinhard Displaytech, Inc. Phone: 303-772-2191 stever@displaytech.com |