Kawasaki, May 22, 2001 ---Fujitsu Hitachi Plasma Display Limited (FHP) announced today that it will begin mass production in August of 42-inch high-definition plasma display panels (PDPs) that utilize its newly developed TERES circuit technology(*1), which features a panel-driving method requiring only half the voltage of conventional models.
The newly developed TERES circuit technology cuts conventional drive voltage and drive-circuit costs in half. While PDPs normally require a certain voltage level to produce a plasma discharge, by separating the drive voltage into positive and negative polarities, the TERES circuit technology is able to halve the necessary drive voltage without reducing the discharge voltage. In addition, by simplifying the circuit structure and reducing the voltage applied to circuit parts, thereby cutting in half the usual costs of drive-circuit components, this technology helps to overcome what has been a major hurdle in popularizing household uses of PDPs. The TERES technology already is being used in 32-inch high-definition PDPs, which were introduced into the market in April 2001. FHP plans to announce the details of the technology at the Society of Information Display (SID) conference scheduled to take place in the United States at the beginning of June 2001.
The new 42-Inch PDPs also utilize ALIS technology(*2) and produce high-definition images. Improvement of rib materials and phosphors has enhanced panel brightness efficiency and made it possible to achieve a higher brightness level of 750cd/m2 (a 25% increase over former levels) without affecting product life. In addition, the products feature the functions of compensation for color reproduction and dynamic color-balancing, allowing higher quality color reproduction of TV images. Moreover, by reducing error diffusion noise level, even dark images look smooth. These features make the new PDPs suitable for use as display devices for household use in the digital broadcast era.
Until now, PDPs have been used mainly for industrial applications. However, in light of the increased digitalization of household devices in the broadband age-as exemplified by such developments as digital broadcasts, DVDs, the Internet, and CATV-and anticipating that PDPs represent the next generation of wide-screen TV displays, FHP expects that the market size will increase to 600,000 units in this fiscal year.
FHP intends to expand its product lineup of high-definition PDPs by capitalizing on its two unique technologies - ("ALIS & TERES"(*3)): ALIS, which offers high brightness and performance, and TERES, which offers reduced voltage and costs - and thereby accelerate the penetration of these plasma display panels into households.
Specifications of the 42-inch H1 PDP Module
| Size | 42-inch (106cm) diagonal |
| Depth | Approximately 65mm |
| Weight | Approximately 18kg |
| Effective Display Area | W 922mm x H 522mm |
| Resolution | Horizontal 1024 x Vertical 1024 pixels |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Pixel Pitch | W 0.90mm x H 0.51mm |
| Colors Displayed | 16.77 million |
| Luminosity | 750cd/m2 |
| Viewing Angle | 160 degrees or more |
Glossary
- *1 TERES Circuit:
- Technology of Reciprocal Sustainer
Patent pending for TERES Circuit.
- *2 ALIS Method:
- Alternate Lighting of Surfaces Method
A method that alternately displays odd and even lines at high speeds. This technology makes it possible to create high-resolution images using about the same number of electrodes as used in conventional VGA technology.
- *3 Trademark pending for ALIS & TERES.
* All company / product names mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and are used for identification purpose only.
Profile of Fujitsu Hitachi Plasma Display Limited
| Company Name: | Fujitsu Hitachi Plasma Display Limited |
| Address of Headquarters: | Kanagawa Science Park, 2-1 Sakado 3, Takatsu-ku
Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa-ken, Japan |
| Capital: | 20 billion yen (50% Fujitsu, 50% Hitachi) |
| President: | Toru Katsurada |
| Number of Employees: | 820 (including manufacturing subsidiary) |
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