Fujitsu Hitachi Plasma Display Develops World's First High-Definition 32-, 37-inch PDPs for Home Television Use
by Anonymous

London, August 29, 2000 -- Fujitsu Hitachi Plasma Display Limited (FHP) announced today that it has succeeded in developing the world's first 32- and 37-inch high definition plasma display panels (PDPs) utilising its proprietary ALIS method (Alternate Lighting of Surfaces) drive circuit technology. The new 32- and 37-inch displays, which join FHP's existing line-up of 42-inch PDPs, are positioned for use in household television sets.

Thanks to their thin profile, lightweight, large viewing area and wide viewing angle, PDPs are becoming increasingly popular as large-screen displays. The PDP market --particularly the business-use segment -- has grown rapidly, hitting 100,000 units in FY1999, and it is expected to reach 250,000 units in FY2000. Moreover, the upcoming initiation of digital broadcasts (slated to begin in Japan this December) and the wider availability of DVDs is expected to result in explosive growth in the market for PDPs for household television receivers. FHP anticipates that by FY2003 PDP demand will total 2.3 million units, 1.4 million for use in television sets and 900,000 for business environments.

Today, most large-screen consumer television sets range in size from 25 to 36 inches, but as CRTs their larger screen surfaces require significant depth and weight. This constrains freedom of placement, particularly when household space is limited. On the other hand, thin, lightweight PDPs can be placed easily within even the most compact living quarters. FHP aims to foster the greater use of PDPs in home environments by providing 32- and 37-inch models, sizes that easily fit into most homes.

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Once digital broadcasting gets underway, there will be increased demand for high definition, high-quality devices to clearly display not only moving video but also still images, including captioned text. With previous generation PDPs, reducing the screen size also reduced the area of cell illumination, and it was difficult to ensure brightness. However, high-definition PDPs using FHP's proprietary ALIS method drive circuit technology makes possible both high definition and high luminosity. When digital broadcasting starts bringing high-definition images to peoples' homes, FHP's new PDPs will be able to display them with a vertical resolution of 1024 lines, making the devices leading contenders to capture the market for home-use wide-screen television sets.

At the end of July this year FHP completed construction of a new production facility on the premises of Kyushu FHP, its wholly owned subsidiary in Miyazaki Prefecture. The company is currently installing production equipment, with initial pilot runs planned for January 2001 and commercial shipments to begin by April 2001. The new facility will have the capacity to produce 30,000 PDPs per month, mostly high-definition units, and FHP plans to raise production to 60,000 units per month in 2002 in order to meet the demands of the growing market. This, together with output from Kyushu FHP's original production line, will bring FHP's total PDP production capacity to 70,000 units per month in 2002.

New product specifications
Size    32-inch (82cm) diagonally    37-inch (95cm) diagonally
Depth    65mm    65mm
Weight    12.5kg    16kg
Effective screen area    W716mm x H399mm    W829mm x H461mm
Number of pixels    Horiz. 852 x Vert. 1024    Horiz. 1024 x Vert. 1024
Aspect ratio    16:9    16:9
Pixel pitch    W 0.84mm x H 0.39mm    W 0.81mm x H 0.45mm
Colours displayed    16.77 million    16.77 million
Luminosity    650cd/m2    650cd/m2
Viewing angle    160 degrees or more    160 degrees or more

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* All company / product names mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and are used for identification purpose only.

About Fujitsu Hitachi Plasma Display Limited
Fujitsu Hitachi Plasma Display Ltd. (FHP) is the world's top manufacturer of high-performance, high-resolution plasma display panel (PDP) devices. Established in April 1999 as a 50-50 joint venture combining the PDP divisions of Fujitsu Limited and Hitachi, Ltd., FHP develops, manufactures and markets an extensive line-up of PDP devices for application in large-screen commercial and consumer displays. Headquartered in Kawasaki, the company boasts the industry's largest and most advanced PDP production facility, located in Miyazaki in southern Japan. Anticipating explosive growth in demand for PDPs as digital broadcasting gets under way, FHP expects its annual sales to more than quadruple from a projected 30 billion yen in FY2000 (ending March 2001) to 130 billion yen in FY2003.

Editors note: A photograph is available. If required please contact Frank Cornell at JDK.

…ends (Ref: PR683)
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF:           
Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe   
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D-63303 Dreieich-Buchschlag       
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Tel: +49-6103-690257           
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E-mail: ines.polak@fujitsu-fme.com   

Contact: Ines Polak           



MORE INFORMATION FROM:
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Fax: 01959 562800

E-mail: sarah@jdk.co.uk

Contact: Frank Cornell

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