Engine to Target Rear Projection TVs and Front Projectors

NOVATO, Calif., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SpatiaLight, Inc. (Nasdaq: HDTV), a leading developer and manufacturer of ultra high-resolution Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) microdisplays, announced today that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with San Jose based Foreal Spectrum, Inc. (Foreal) for the development and marketing of the first ever 1920 x 1080p Light Emitting Diode (LED) based LCoS light engine. The light engine will primarily be marketed to OEM's of rear projection televisions (RPTVs) and front projectors.

Foreal and SpatiaLight displayed this proprietary, state-of-the-art light engine in January at SpatiaLight's suite in the MGM Grand Hotel during the Consumer Electronics Show where it was very well received by prospective customers. The light engine employs SpatiaLight's T-3, 1920 x 1080p imagers and is powered by a long life, solid-state LED light source rather than the standard high-pressure mercury arc lamp. This solid-state light source dramatically improves light engine lifetime. Future generations of light engines can incorporate smaller, lower cost imagers as product categories are expanded and markets for these products grow.

SpatiaLight and Foreal believe that this LED light source is a major breakthrough for LCoS technology because it removes the 'lamp lifetime' issue for television manufacturers and most dramatically, the new LED engine will allow for thin form factor LCoS RPTVs. A typical 60-inch television based on this new light engine will be fewer than 10 inches deep in the near future.

This lower cost LED/LCoS technology solution is currently available for incorporation into RPTV models, as opposed to other new light engine technology formats including laser diode powered light engines, which are not currently economically feasible for mass produced, high brightness applications such as projection television.

Foreal's new, fully customizable LED light modules and engines provide maximum brightness for the small emitting areas required for RPTV and pocket projectors, in addition to semiconductor and biomedical instrumentation. The benefits are numerous when compared to traditional light engines using standard arc lamps including: enhanced color gamut and uniformity, reduced production and maintenance costs, compact size, and reduced weight. LEDs also feature instant on/off capability for minimal heat, longer lifetime, and improved safety.

Dr. Mike Jin, SpatiaLight's Chief Technology Officer commented, 'We are excited about the high level of performance that can be achieved through the combination of SpatiaLight's proprietary LCoS imagers and Foreal's light engine with LED based illumination.