The International Communications Industries Association, Inc. ® Trends In Display Technologies The Wild Ride Continues… Peter H. Putman, CTS President,

The International Communications Industries Association, Inc.®

Trends In Display Technologies The Wild Ride Continues…

Peter H. Putman, CTS

President, ROAM Consulting Inc.Founder, HDTVexpert.com


The Next Big Thing Is…

2004 was the year of intelligent displays 2005 is the year of “HD” (1080p) displays

• 1920x1080 front and rear projection• 1920x1080 flat panel monitors• 1400x1050, 1600x1200, 2048x1536 displays

16:9 aspect ratios more and more popular 1920x1080 is a shared TV / PC resolution


The Next Big Thing Is…

Most significant display products shown at CES, CeBIT, and NAB were HD 1080p displays• Sharp 65-inch LCD TV = 1920x1080• Samsung 82-inch LCD TV = 1920x1080• Samsung 102-inch plasma TV = 1920x1080• JVC 48-inch LCoS RP monitor = 1920x1080• Sony 70-inch LCoS RPTV = 1920x1080

Get the picture?


Higher Resolution Displays:Boon or Pandora’s Box?

Be Careful What You Ask For


Gimme Those Pixels!

Everyone wants HDTV imaging resolution But there are trade-offs, as usual

• Decoding and deinterlacing SD/HD video• Image scaling vs. native pixel resolution• Bandwidth and image detail• Accurate grayscales and color shading

None of these are “easy” to do!


Analog Video Is Still Around

Converting SD video:• Decode composite to component • Convert interlaced to progressive• Correct for intraframe motion artifacts• Eliminate scan line artifacts• Preserve image detail without ringing• Detect and correct for different frame/field cadences

(3:2, 2:3:3:2, 2:2:2:4, etc)


The Ideal Decoded Signal


The Sad Reality


Deinterlacing SD Video

With 480p CRT displays, it’s not as much of an issue (resolution limits of spot size)

With 720p/768p FP displays, scan line and motion artifacts are more visible

With 1080p FP displays, problem is severe as all SD artifacts are revealed

Is 1080p native resolution a good thing, or is it Pandora’s Box?


Deinterlacing Video

480i source deinterlacing not as intense for processors as 1080i

Most 1080i processors do not convert both fields, only one

Result: 540p scaled to 720p (fudging) This trick doesn’t work when using a native

1080p display


Deinterlacing Video

Quality deinterlacing and motion correction applied here

Inferior deinterlacing and motion correction applied here

Both frames enlarged 4X


Image Scaling for HD Displays

Two ways to do it:• UP in resolution (interpolation of add’l. pixels)• DOWN in resolution (decimation of pixels)• The greater the difference in total pixels, the more difficult

either process becomes 480p to 600p: +25%, not too bad… 1080i to 600p: -56%, a pretty good leap! Composite video to 1080p HD: +88% (Uh-oh…)


Going Up In Resolution

480p source image

600p scaled image

Not difficult to pull off while maintaining

good image quality


Going Down In Resolution

1920x1080p source image

1024x600p scaled imagePicture detail is thrown away, but overall image

quality is tolerable


Flat-Out Asking For Trouble

480i source image

1920x1080 scaled image

You don’t realize how bad SD video looks

until you try this trick!


Image Scaling Headaches

Garbage in, garbage out• Noise reduction (analog, digital MPEG ‘mosquitoes’)• Field vs. frame conversion (1080i to 540p)• Color space errors (601 or 709 to RGB)

Higher resolution fixed-pixel projection systems clearly show scaling defects

Poor SD video performance is #1 cause of consumer returns on fixed-pixel TVs


Bandwidth and Detail Problems

A little known ‘secret’: Many expensive fixed-pixel displays are short on HD bandwidth• Desire to save $$ on components• Inclusion of ‘video sharpness’ circuits• Obsession with edge enhancement• Designing display for 480p sources

Mostly seen on YPbPr (analog) inputs


The Ideal Bandwidth Response

Full bandwidth signal processing (>18 MHz)


The Sad Reality

Clipped bandwidth signal processing (<12 MHz)


I Want My Money Back

Luminance detail more important than chrominance detail

In MPEG, luminance samples at twice chrominance or more (4:2:2, 4:2:0, etc)

Clipped BW not an issue with SD displays, but a big issue with HD displays

With many HD displays, you are not getting the performance you paid for!


I Want My Money Back

In a typical HD display:• Inferior scaling of low-rez video• Poor de-interlacing and motion correction• Poor noise reduction (digital and analog)• Clipped bandwidth above 12 MHz• Too much edge enhancement with SD + HD

Result: An expensive HD display no better than a cheaper SD display


Grayscale – Color Purity

Perhaps the two hardest things for any HD display to handle well

Digital systems have it tougher (PWM) Shadow detail always difficult to render Expansive grayscales are problematic

• Industry obsessed with contrast ratio• White detail crush very common


Grayscale Problems

False contouring and white crush are seen


Color Purity Problems

Color purity across HD image is a must Color shifts can be caused by:

• Poorly designed mirrors, integrators• Refraction in imaging devices• Inconsistency in color filter materials• Low-cost optics and lenses• Uneven spectral output of illuminants


Projector Color Shifts

Projector was set to ‘Middle’ or ‘Normal’ WB in each case


Projector Color Shifts

Not as noticeable with business graphics (saturated colors go pastel)

More noticeable with mid/high gray tones Definitely noticeable with flesh tones! A difficult problem with short-arc lamps

• Fix with filtering, but lose light• Move to xenon imaging? Cost issues?


Contenders and Pretenders

Everyone’s Got a Better Mousetrap


E M I S S I V E

transmissive

Reflective

?

???

????????

?

????


Contenders for the ThroneContenders for the Throne

Emissive - You view the light source directly• CRT, plasma, SED, FED, LED, O-LED

Transmissive - You view shuttered light• TFT LCD monitors, HTPS LCD projectors

Reflective - You view reflected light• DLP, LCoS and variations (D-ILA, SXRD, etc)


E M I S S I V E


Emissive ContendersEmissive Contenders

CRT (cathode-ray tube) technology the oldest and best-known variation

Limitations in brightness and physical size

Resolution always tied to brightness

High voltages required Power consumption issues



Plasma display panels (PDPs) are a step forward

Resolution and brightness link is broken

Higher native resolutions, high brightness and contrast

Saturated phosphors, wide viewing angles

Light weight, thin profile Power still an issue



Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are a step further

Lower operating voltages for luminous energy

Thinner profile, high brightness and contrast

Resolution still coarse High current consumption Modular and durable display



Organic light-emitting diodes (O-LEDs) push the envelope farther out

Super-thin, low-voltage technology

High contrast, brightness Bright colors and wide

viewing angles Current consumption and

uniformity are problems



Surface-conducting Electron-emitting Displays (SEDs) have promise, but…

Super-thin technology with CRT-like image quality

High contrast, brightness Bright colors and wide

viewing angles Can Canon and Toshiba

actually deliver it?


transmissive


Transmissive “Threats”Transmissive “Threats”

Liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) are mature

Link between brightness and resolution broken

Low voltage technology, scalable over various sizes

Viewing angles and black levels are issues

Color filter imaging not as intense as phosphors


Transmissive “Threats”Transmissive “Threats”

High-temperature polysilicon (HTPS)

Enabled the portable projector market

Low-cost imaging technology at high resolution

Monochrome, requires outboard color filters

Questions as to durability of panels and filters


Reflective


Reflective ChallengersReflective Challengers

Digital light processing (DLP) High resolutions possible Efficient technology, lightweight

projectors Monochrome, needs color

filters / wheels Black levels good, high

brightness / contrast 100% digital system,

unaffected by analog stimuli


Reflective ChallengersReflective Challengers

Liquid-crystal on silicon (LCoS)

High resolutions possible Efficient technology,

lightweight projection systems

High resolution to 4K Black level / contrast issues Manufacturing issues - yields


Never A Dull Moment

Significant Display News - 2005


Significant News - 2005Significant News - 2005

So Far This Year:• Fujitsu exits plasma and LCD fab businesses• The LCD – plasma “war” continues• LCoS fights for respectability, market share• HTPS projection engines strike back• LEDs are used as -- projection lamps?• “1080p” is the latest display buzzword• ELVs, iMods, P-OLEDs grab attention at SID



Plasma: FUJITSU CRIES “UNCLE!”• Falling prices, declining profit margins in both PDP

and TFT LCD manufacturing to blame• Competitive advantage to Korean, Chinese fabs• Sells all but 19% of FHP interest to Hitachi• Sells all IP and patents outright to Hitachi• Sells LCD fabs, IP outright to Sharp• Just another OEM now…….



NO PRISONERS TAKEN IN LCD – PLASMA MARKET SHARE BATTLES• Average MSRP of 42” ED plasma TV ranges from

$1500 to $2500 - ED going away in favor of HD• 50-inch plasma TV now well under $5K SRP• LCD dominates to 32”, “no man’s land” at 37” size• 32” LCD under $1500, 37” at $2500• Average 42” ED plasma sold at $50 loss in 2004



LCOS JUST WANTS TO BE LOVED:• More companies pursuing LCoS as alternative

technology to DLP (multiple sources, cheaper)• Yields still a big problem for all LCoS types• Some companies just hanging on by fingernails• Sony, JVC continue battles at high end (2K, 4K)• Push in China and Korea to build LCoS TVs• “1080p” seen as tipping point for LCoS



HTPS LCD HAS A FEW TRICKS LEFT:• Sony, Panasonic, Sanyo all introduce new color

correction systems• Dynamic iris and gamma correction (Panasonic)• Adoption in more 720p RPTVs (Mitsubishi)• .9” 1920x1080 panels coming from Epson for front

and rear projection• Front projection systems (Fujitsu, Sanyo, Barco)



YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!:• LumiLEDs light engines (RGB stripes) now in

‘pocket’ projectors• Models from Mitsubishi, Samsung, BenQ, InFocus• Light output 30 – 50 lumens on small screens (12”)• Single chip DLP (800x600) designs• Question: Why not just use a laptop instead?



THROW OUT YOUR 720P DISPLAYS:• Industry becoming obsessed with 1080p imaging• Support across all display technologies

• DMDs – 2K professional, 960x1080 consumer• LCoS – 1920x1080 D-ILA, SXRD, others• HTPS – 1920x1080 panels• TFT LCD – now as small as 37” diagonally• Plasma – 71” screens to 102” screens

• Silicon Optix field / frame deinterlacing issues



HOW DID THEY EVER COME UP WITH - -• Electrowetting light valve (ELV)

• Uses oil and water• Simple monochrome light shutter

• Polymer organic light-emitting diodes (P-OLEDs)• Colors can be fluorescent, phosphorescent• Ink-jet printable

• Interferometric Modulator (IMod)• Bends light with refraction, reflection


OK, Back To Reality

The Rough Waters Ahead


The Battle Lines are DrawnThe Battle Lines are Drawn

Plasma vs. LCD• New plasma fabs coming on-line in Korea, China• Plasma has edge in price across competitive sizes

• 37” is current battleground, also 40 – 42”• LCD still limited in sizes above 46”

• Materials cost lower in plasma screens• Color rendering still better than LCD for now• Popular choice as consumer TV screen



Plasma vs. LCD• “Full court press” by plasma manufacturers to correct

misconceptions about panel life, burn-in, cost• New gas mixtures (xenon and neon) improve

phosphor life and brightness• Plasma ‘tube’ technology may allow larger sizes• Caveat: Plasma technology may be reaching the

limit of improvements!


PDP Technology EnhancementsPDP Technology Enhancements

Plasma Tube Structure• Breaks the link between

glass size and imaging elements

• Reduced costs in manufacturing

• May allow curved screen plasma displays

• Shown: Fujitsu tube demo



players / partners in PDPs: Japan – Panasonic, Hitachi, Pioneer

• Panasonic #1 WW in sales• May partner with Hitachi on PDP projects• Pioneer owns ex-NEC fabs, OEMs NEC glass• Hitachi now in charge of FHP factory• No new VC investment in plasma is likely



players / partners in PDPs: Korea – Samsung, LG

• Samsung #1 WW in PDP shipments (>200K/month)• LG and Samsung have both expanded fabs• Both companies make largest PDPs in world

China – Chungwha Picture Tube• Building 46-inch SD/HD panels (Mitsubishi design)



LCD vs. PLASMA• LCD is aggressively marketed across all channels• Many OEM partners selling into US market• LCD manufacturers working hard to address:

• Viewing angles (could be better)• Black levels (still 10x that of best plasma)• Color accuracy (needs to emulate CRT gamut)• Motion smear


LCD Technology EnhancementsLCD Technology Enhancements

Viewing angles• New polarizing films

being shown• Close to 170 degrees in

any axis possible• Improves off-axis color

and black levels• Scalable to any sizes• Shown: Nitto Denko

New Filter Old Filter



Color Gamut• Use of LEDs expanding• Color-corrected CCFL

and HCFL backlights• Hybrid LED / CCFLs also

shown• Power savings with

brighter whites• Shown: Philips Aptura



Color Gamut• Use of LEDs expanding• Color-corrected CCFL

and HCFL backlights• Hybrid LED / CCFLs exist• Power savings with

brighter whites• Shown: Samsung 46”

1080p LCD TV with LED stripe backlights



Cleaner Motion• Scanning backlight• Black frame insertion• Effect is similar to a

motion picture shutter• Techniques can be

combined• Shown: LG Philips combo

scanning backlight and black frame insertion



Plasma OR LCD: WHO WINS?• LCD making huge jumps in image quality each year• LCD offers 1080p imaging in smaller screen sizes• Plasma will always be limited by brightness• Predictions:

• Plasma migrates to consumer TV market on lower price, competes with microdisplay RPTV

• LCD captures 37-inch “battleground” in 2005, becomes display of choice for DS, pro AV channels to 42 inches



DLP vs. LCOS:• DLP now shipping in two 1080p variations

• 2048x1080 for digital cinema, large venue• 960x1080 for consumer RPTVs, uses “wobbulation”

• LCoS panels all ship with full 2K resolution• Consumer RPTVs (JVC, Sony, eLCOS, LG)• Professional monitors (JVC)• Front projectors (Sony, JVC, Canon)


DLP AdvancementsDLP Advancements

More DLP at lower cost:• 1080p monitors• Uses single-chip engine• Expanded multi-segment

color wheels with faster sequencing

• Improved light sources and color correction

• Shown: Samsung 70-inch 1080p DLP RPTV


LCoS AdvancementsLCoS Advancements

Expanded use of LCOS:• 1080p monitors• Uses three-panel engine• Dichroic filters for wide

color gamut• No sequential color

wheels or scanning• Xenon light source• Shown: JVC 48-inch D-

ILA reference monitor



DLP OR LCOS: WHO WINS?• DLP yields are typically better than LCoS• More DLP product in production – it’s mainstream• LCoS has potentially lower costs, no IP issues• Many Asian manufacturers entering LCoS business• Predictions:

• LCoS needs more time before significant penetration• DLP will rule the lower-price “roost” for several years



DLP vs. HTPS LCD:• DLP has achieved 2K resolution, but only ‘full’ 2K

with professional displays• HTPS LCD has achieved full 2K resolution with .9”

panels for all types of displays• DLP limited to single-chip with color wheel in smaller

projection engines• HTPS LCD is three-chip with color filters in all

projection engines


HTPS LCD AdvancementsHTPS LCD Advancements

Visual Quality Issues:• ‘Screen door’ effect is being

minimized• Lower black levels due to

dynamic irising of content• Color gamut accuracy is

greatly improved• Shown: Panasonic PT-

AE700U front LCD projector



DLP OR HTPS LCD: WHO WINS?• HTPS LCD improvements for 2005 are dramatic!• HTPS LCD still has price advantage

• Typical 720p LCD projector is $2500• Lowest-cost 720p DLP projector is $4500

• Predictions:• LCD remains strong, affordable projection technology• DLP prices must drop to compete in 720p skew• Issues with full 1080p imaging will surface


Oh, and By The Way…

Better Living Through Displays?


Oh, and By the Way….Oh, and By the Way….

On-board OS• Integral piece of a

network• Faster LANs allow remote

file access• Maintenance and status

updates enabled• Diagnose and fix many

‘operator error’ issues



100% digital video interfaces• Smart set-up between

monitor and display card or video source

• Best match to pixel resolution and refresh rate

• DVI for pro markets• HDMI for consumer



Improved on-board video processing• More functions on one

chip set• Scaling, de-interlacing,

motion correction, cadence correction

• Enables a true resolution-independent display


Oh, and By the Way…Oh, and By the Way…

Power Saving Modes• Larger displays consume

lots of electricity!• Need to improve luminous

efficiency (lumens/watt or nits/watt)

• Smart backlights• Pulsed backlights• Low power modes


Trends In Display Technologies The Wild Ride Continues…

Peter H. Putman, CTS

President, ROAM Consulting Inc.Founder, HDTVexpert.com

The International Communications Industries Association, Inc. ® Trends In Display Technologies The Wild Ride Continues… Peter H. Putman, CTS President,

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