Seiko Epson Corporation

Epson Starts Volume Production of New HTPS Panels Employing C² Fine Inorganic Alignment Technology for 3LCD Data Projection Systems

– TOKYO, Japan December 18, 2008 –

Seiko Epson Corporation (Epson) has begun volume production of two models of high-temperature polysilicon (HTPS) TFT liquid crystal panels employing C² Fine technology, a 0.74-inch (1.9 cm diagonal) model and a 0.8-inch (2.0 cm diagonal)model, designed for 3LCD-type data projectors. The new panels utilize D7 process technology to achieve higher aperture ratios, making possible increased brightness, and also employ C² Fine inorganic alignment technology that produces even greater contrast and higher image quality.

As the practice of making presentations at companies is now mainstream, in addition to other factors such as the growing trend of using IT in the education market, the data projector market is expected to continue to expand. The growth in the variety of uses of data projectors has led to demands for higher resolution and wider displays, as well as for greater brightness. Furthermore, now that the projection of video images is increasingly being carried out in both business and educational settings, the demand has become greater for products capable of achieving higher image quality and higher contrast.

In order to respond to these market demands, Epson has been continuously engaged in the commercialization of panels with ever higher aperture ratios using its own original high aperture process technology called the D series. For home projectors, which require higher contrast and smoother images, continuous efforts are being undertaken to improve the panels by employing C² Fine technology. By combining these technologies to further enhance the performance, these new panels are able to meet the demands arising from the diversifying uses of projectors.

Features of the new panels

Increased brightness by employing D7 process technology

• Products using 0.74-inch panel: approx. 4000lm
• Products using 0.8-inch panel: approx. 5000lm

Effect of using C² Fine technology

1. Use of vertical alignment technology achieves products capable of high contrast
2. Use of inorganic alignment layer reduces orientation unevenness and produces smooth images
3. Use of normally-black mode and vertical alignment technology enables reproduction of jet-black

New panel specifications

Related web pages

For further information regarding HTPS and 3LCD technologies, please refer to the following sites:

• http://www.epson.jp/products/device/htps/
• http://www.3lcd.com