JVC Develops 1.75-inch 8K4K D-ILA Device; World's Highest 35 Megapixel Pixel Count, More than 17x Full High-Definition

JCN Newswires, May 2, 2008

Tokyo, Japan, May 2, 2008 - (JCN Newswire) - Victor Company of Japan, Ltd. (JVC) announces a new addition to its lineup of proprietary D-ILA (Direct-Drive Image Light Amplifier) high-definition reflective liquid crystal devices for projectors. The newly developed 1.75-inch 8K4K D-ILA device has the world's largest number of pixels[1] and is able to display images of approximately 35 megapixels (8192 x 4320 pixels), the equivalent of more than 17 times the level of Full High-Definition. This means that a single display device can now produce Super Hi-Vision[2] images and can display images with the highest number of pixels currently defined under international standards.

After JVC developed the initial 7.86-megapixel (3840 x 2048 pixels) 4K2K D-ILA device in the summer of 2003, it subsequently further evolved the technology for highly realistic, high-definition images through a range of test viewings and verification testing, resulting in the development of JVC's first commercial 4K2K D-ILA device (1.7-inch device size, 5,000:1 device contrast ratio) and the 4K2K D-ILA projector incorporating that device in September 2004.

In June 2007 JVC developed a 1.27-inch 4K2K D-ILA device that was the world's smallest device of its kind, having a 6.8 micrometer pixel pitch and 4096 x 2400 pixels, and in February 2008 it began marketing a newly commercialized professional D-ILA projector, DLA-SH4K, incorporating that device.

Through the development of a new production process and new pixel structure for even finer pixels, JVC has now succeeded in developing the 1.75-inch 8K4K D-ILA device, the world's first device to achieve real Super Hi-Vision definition level. The new device has approximately 50% higher density in its ratio of area per pixel as compared to the 1.27-inch 4K2K D-ILA device, which was originally the world's smallest 4K device. Furthermore, the new device has achieved a video display of approximately 35 megapixels, the world's highest pixel counts[1], while continuing to provide the D-ILA series' characteristics such as "high-quality images without a distracting pixel structure", "high light availability", and "high contrast ratio".

What are D-ILA Reflective Liquid Crystal Devices?

D-ILA is the name given to JVC's proprietary high-performance reflective liquid crystal devices for projectors. These are typical LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) devices that provide both high brightness and high definition.

JVC successfully developed the 1.3-megapixel SXGA type device in October 1997 and launched the D-ILA projector the same year. Since that time, the company has accumulated many years of production experience with devices for high-end projectors and continually released new products: in May 2004, the company launched the world's first domestic Full HD front-projection system and then launched rear-projection systems into the US market in the July the same year.

The D-ILA Full High-Definition home theater projector DLA-HD1 launched in January 2007 utilized a newly developed 0.7-inch Full High-Definition D-ILA device and a new optical engine to achieve 15,000:1 native contrast ratio and "true black" expression without using an iris mechanism. Furthermore, the successor model DLA-HD100 introduced in December 2007 achieved the industry's highest[3] 30,000:1 native contrast ratio. Both models were well reviewed and proved great hit products in the global market.

The professional D-ILA projector, DLA-SH4K, which went on sale in 2008, achieves both 10,000:1 high contrast ratio and about 10-megapixel resolution more than four times the Full High-Definition level. This overwhelming image quality has received high praise, particularly in the presentation field.

For complete information, please visit http://www.jvc.co.jp/english/global-e.html

[1] As a projection-type display device, as of May 2, 2008.

[2] Super Hi-Vision is a TV broadcasting service currently under development at NHK; a single image has approximately 33 megapixels (7680 x 4320 pixels), with 60 frame/second sequential scanning and 22.2 multichannel sound. Image format is international standard ITU-R BT.1769, SMPTE 2036. Diagonal size is 1.67 inches at Super Hi-Vision standard pixel dimensions of 7680 x 4320.

[3] For a home theater projector, as of May 2, 2008, based on JVC survey.

About JVC

Victor Company of Japan, Ltd. (TSE: 6792; US: VJAPY), known worldwide as JVC, is well-known for its development of the VHS video standard, and has developed as an international company in the fields of audio, visual (A&V), information-related equipment, components, and entertainment for the domestic consumer market, as well as in the business market as a comprehensive provider of both hardware and software. JVC has received high praise in both domestic consumer and business markets. Visit the JVC home page at www.jvc.co.jp .

Source: JVC

Contact:

Toshiya Ogata, Senior Staff Manager, or
David Gifford, Manager
Public Relations Group
Corporate Communications Department
Victor Company of Japan, Limited (JVC)
Tel:  81-(0)45-450-2951, 2952
Fax:  81-(0)45-450-2959
E-mail: ogata-toshiya@jvc-victor.jp
dgifford@jvc-victor.jp
URL: http://www.jvc-victor.co.jp/english