AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands, October 7, 2003— In a move that further demonstrates its commitment to lead the emerging liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) microdisplay market for rear-projection TV applications, Royal Philips Electronics (AEX: PHI, NYSE: PHG) today unveiled the latest addition to its single-panel LCOS technology portfolio—the DD1080. This new, low-cost LCOS microdisplay delivers an impressive resolution of 1920 x 1080 and boasts two-million pixels to power rear-projection high-definition TVs (HDTVs), as well as support digital content for multimedia and Internet applications. Since the DD1080 has the same size diagonal (1.15 inches) as Philips’ existing DD720 LCOS panel, OEMs can easily use current 1280 x 720 line projector designs for 1920 x 1080 models with little reconfiguration.

“The introduction of the DD1080 to our existing LCOS single-panel portfolio allows both our internal and OEM customers to reap the cost, size and resolution benefits afforded by this revolutionary display technology. As this technology continues to gain increasing confidence among additional OEMs, consumers will likewise benefit, as high-volume demand and availability will drive more affordable price points,” noted Wald Siskens, vice president and general manager for Philips LCOS Microdisplay Systems (LMS).

According to Chris Chinnock, president of market research firm Insight Media ( Norwalk , Conn. ), the commercialization of LCOS technology is finally beginning to impact TV manufacturers. Some OEMs are developing HDTVs with 1920 x 1080 resolution, and others worldwide are building 1280 x 720 HDTVs. “Considered to be the most viable solution for rear-projection HDTV systems, LCOS is expected to capture a respectable share of the overall microdisplay market. Philips’ LCOS technology portfolio has demonstrated the potential for providing TV makers with high image quality and resolution, in high volumes at a low cost. Adding the DD1080 to this line-up further positions Philips to play a leading role in this arena, especially versus digital light projection (DLP) rear projection TVs (RPTVs) where 1080-pixel solutions are not even on the horizon,” said Chinnock.