Projection Summit 2008
By John Latta, WAVE
0813 9/7/08
Las Vegas , NV
June 16-17, 2008
The 8th year running this is a niche event focused on the projection side of the display industry. We estimate 200 in attendance. It is well run with considerable technical content. Each attendee is provided a binder with all the presentations.
Short Throw Projectors
UK based FutureSource Consulting is predicting significant growth in the Short Throw Projector market. However, no estimates were provided.
Four examples, of short throw projectors were shown. They illustrated a range of design options. One of the more interesting was from Sanyo, with its many mounting configurations.
Four short throw projectors were shown.
BenQ MP771
XGA
3,000 lumens
74” @ 3.3’
Price: $1,800
Table mounted in front
3M SCP712 and SCP740
XGA and WXGA
2000 & 2600 lumens
60” to 120” screen size
Estimated price: $2000 to $3500
Projector is mounted in front and above screen
Screen can be Da-Lite or whiteboard
Hitachi CP-A100
XGA
2,500 lumens
60” screen size
Table mounted in front of projector
Sanyo PLC-XL51/50
XGA
2,700 lumens
80” screen size
Network capable
Available September 2008
Price: TBD
Able to support multiple mounting configurations
Install ceiling – project wall
Install on tabletop – rear project on table
Install on floor – project on floor
Install on table – project on wall
TI Discusses the Future of DLP
Peter F. van Kessel of TI described the efforts which TI is focused to improve DLP image quality (IQ). These include.
TI will provide a range of products in three IQ areas which can support customer needs
Increased dynamic range based on high speed DLP chips and greater system contrast.
A broad spectrum of resolutions and diagonal ratios including supporting HD in pico-projectors
Ability to custom tailor the color attributes for specific applications.
The speed improvement will be accomplished by improving electrostatic performance of the chip along with actual pixel design, including smaller size pixels.
Contrast ratio is a system metric based on the chip and optical design. TI will continue to provide reference designs to show how the contrast ratio can be improved. The presentation show how the pixel design has improved from 50:1 in 1992 to >3060:1 in 2008. TI is now on the DarkChip4 design series.
There is a transition to wide aspect ratios. TI is focused on a wide range of designs which will support higher than XGA resolutions.
TI recognizes that there is no one single metric for good color. It is clear that TI must provide the OEM customer the means to tailor the color performance to need. This is being done with the BrilliantColor processing capabilities. Supported are non-triangular color gamuts, the efficient use of lamp spectrums, the ability to map and construct mixed colors and the ability to map color with a 3D LUT. This BrilliantColor capability is accomplished in hardware with a 3D Color Mapper, a Discrete Light Processor and a Temporal Sequencer.
TI is seeking to support a wide range of applications with its DLP technology. These include:
Pico-projectors
Business projectors
Home theater projectors
Large Venue
Zytronic Projective Capacitive Technology
Mark Cambridge, CEO, Zytronic, described how its ZYPROFILM, active touch technology could enable through the window interactive retail settings.
Window advertising using LCD is just not effective due to the complex mounting and expense.
Projective Capacitive Technology (PCT) makes it possible to sense touch up to 20mm behind the glass.
Zytronic’s ZYPROFILM has been made up to 67” and 82” is in development.
The ZYPROFILM can be easily applied and will work on curved surfaces.
The film is suitable for temporary installations and it is claimed unaffected by outdoor environments.
It has been used in complex aircraft simulators to emulate cockpit panel components where the panel is configured with a display and the interaction with the ZYPROFILM.
Multi-Projector Displays Described
Andrew Jamison, CEO, Scalable Display Technologies, discussed the challenges of making large projector displays which use multiple displays.
Examples of their work include a 4 projector display over 20’ long and a 5 projector articulated wall.
A typical multiple projector display consists of 4 SZGA displays in a 2X2 configuration. There is an edge overlap area which is to be mated between the displays.
The mating process involves:
Warping the images to align pixels
The creation of overlapping common areas
Blending of intensity in these areas and
Color balancing the projectors.
The large venue markets can be scaled based on the screen size and the image resolution.
It was stated that multi-projector array are happening because customers are seeking larger and more flexible displays. Further, GPU power is enabling higher resolution and better price performance.
Auto-calibration is also making projector arrays more feasible.
A key issue is the availability of content. Typical sources include: games, CAD, 4K digital video and 3D content.
It was speculated that the potential exists for projector arrays based on Pico projectors.
InsightMedia Assessment of the Pico- and Pocket Projector Market
Matthew Brennesholtz, InsightMedia presented the results of a recent market assessment.
A complex and thorough set of definitions was provided of the following market segments:
Pico Projector
Pocket Projector
Ultra-Pocket Projector
The following categories were described:
Integrated Pico-Projectors
Integrated into hand held systems
Due in market late 2009 and 2010
Companion Pico-Projectors
Size comparable to PDA and cell phone.
Products have been announced and due later in 2008
Pocket Projectors
Small size to fit in pocket
Available now
There exists the potential that multiple revenue streams will drive the industry – not just retail sales. Examples include Mobil TV and the potential for mobile carriers to subsidize the products.
Pocket projectors have not sole well, due to the high prices, $700 to $900.
LED projectors will not be able to complet in the pocket projector category until at least 2012 due to high price.
A major issue in this market is the battery technology and cost.
The potential market of integrated pico products could vary from 4m to 40m units.
Pico/Pocket Projector Opportunities
Bill Coggshall, Pacific Media Associates, provided his view of the market.
The market was divided into:
Gaming and Personal Projectors
Miniature Projectors
In the Gaming and Personal space the unit volume is estimate at 823k units in 2010 and Miniature space at 1B units.
The demand limiting factors include:
So far the intended killer apps of TV, video and games have not done well.
There is a demand for larger screens on devices, especially the phone.
The lack of bandwidth will limit the content which can be shown on devices.
There are a number of questions which create doubt in the market. The include the unknown of the distribution channel and the form factor of the projectors.
WAVE Comment
Projectors are passive devices. Interaction is a secondary consideration to the primary function of the projector. The only talk on interaction was from Zytronic which makes a projective capacitive film to be applied to the display surface. This makes it compelling easy to add interaction. Zytronic provided some retail examples of how this is being used. But, at least in terms of the Projection Summit, interaction and projectors is not in the mainstream.
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