Expanding its offering of leading-edge active matrix thin film transistor (TFT) liquid crystal displays (LCDs), Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC)* recently announced three new 15-inch, wide-viewing angle, high brightness TFT LCDs developed by Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology Company, Ltd. (TMD)**. The new XGA (1024 x 768) modules are targeted for industrial applications including factory automation, financial, kiosks, medical, point of sale and test and measurement, as well as a host of emerging applications requiring superior image quality.
The new 15-inch LCDs are equipped with four lamps, rather than the two typically found in other 15-inch LCD displays, to provide very high brightness for superior viewing in varying lighting conditions. The three 15-inch modules, designated LTM15C458C, LTM15C458S and LTM15C458T, range in luminance from 350 candelas per sq. m. (c/m2) to 400 c/m2. This high brightness, combined with a wide 160 degrees horizontal and 140 degrees vertical viewing angle, enables excellent front of screen performance and crisp, clear image quality even when the viewer is not directly in front of the screen. In addition, the modules feature high contrast and a fast response time of 25 milliseconds that results in excellent image quality for moving video images.
“To provide the best image quality in the smallest form factor, high-brightness LCD-based displays are increasingly being used to replace traditional cathode-ray tube-based (CRT) systems in industrial applications,” said Steve Vrablik, business development director for LCDs for TAEC. “These new modules offer a compelling combination of superior brightness, high color saturation, high contrast and wider viewing angle that is ideally suited for industrial applications.”
“With the introduction of these new 15-inch modules, Toshiba is addressing the needs of the growing market for industrial, financial, medical, and other non-PC applications,” said Paul Semenza, executive vice president for iSuppli/Stanford Resources. “We forecast that the market for large TFT-LCDs in these applications will reach nearly 3 million units in 2003.”
The three new modules have each been optimized to meet varying application, cost and performance requirements. For cost-constrained applications that require high brightness, the LTM15C458C provides very good image quality at an excellent value. For applications that require the highest level of brightness, the LTM15C458S offers the highest luminance rating at 400 c/m2. For certain applications mounted above eye-level, such as airport arrival/departure screens, the LTM15C458T offers better image inversion performance that improves the legibility of the image when viewed from below.
For more life-like color, the three modules feature a high color gamut of 72 percent of the NTSC television specification, which is a significant increase over the typical 40 to 50 percent color gamut for most LCDs on the market today. Each of the new modules features a long-life, cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) backlighting system with four replaceable lamps. The lamps have a mean half-brightness lifetime of 50,000 hours to ensure long-term reliability and minimal service and repair costs.
In addition to these three new 15-inch LCD modules, TAEC offers an extensive family of high-brightness TFT LCDs, including 8.4-inch, 10.4-inch and 12.1-inch modules, as well as a 15-inch “all-in-one” LCD display which includes integrated analog interface circuitry, an inverter and on-screen display controls. This line-up of high brightness LCD modules provides a selection of pixel resolutions ranging from 640 x 480 (VGA) to 1024 x 768 (XGA). (See addendum A for technical specifications.)
Pricing and Availability:
Samples of Toshiba's new LTM15C458C, LTM15C458S and LTM15C458T LCD modules are available now, with production quantities scheduled for availability in first quarter 2003. The LTM15C458C, LTM15C458S and LTM15C458T are priced at $385, $400 and $415 in sample quantities.
*About TAEC:
Combining quality and flexibility with design engineering expertise, TAEC brings a breadth of advanced, next-generation technologies to its customers. This broad offering includes semiconductors, flash memory-based storage solutions, optical communication devices, displays and rechargeable batteries for the computing, wireless, networking, automotive and digital consumer markets.
TAEC is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba, the second largest semiconductor company worldwide in terms of global sales for the year 2001 according to Gartner/Dataquest’s Worldwide Semiconductor Market Share Ranking. Toshiba is a world leader in high-technology products with more than 300 major subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. For additional company and product information, please visit TAEC’s website at chips.toshiba.com. For technical inquiries, please e-mail Tech.Questions@taec.toshiba.com.
About TMD:
TMD is the joint venture formed from the April, 1, 2002 merger of Toshiba and Matsushita's display panel businesses. TMD, 60 percent owned by Toshiba and 40 percent by Matsushita, is dedicated to leadership in the world market for advanced TFT-LCDs and is a leader in display devices, LCDs and Organic light emitting diode displays. The company's technology of low temperature polysilicon assures its position as a leading company in other electronic devices. Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology Co., Ltd has 2,700 employees and annual sales of over US$2.3 billion. For further information, please visit the TMD home page at: http://www.tmdisplay.com/tm_dsp/index.htm.