Sanyo Epson Develops High-Resolution LCDs Featuring "Photo Fine Chromarich"

Sanyo Epson Imaging Devices Corporation ("Sanyo Epson") has announced the development of three new high-resolution LCDs featuring "Photo Fine Chromarich" technology that achieves more than 100% coverage of the NTSC color gamut. Mass production of the displays will commence in early 2006.

The fusion of telecommunications and broadcasting through digitization and the seamless integration of cable and mobile communication have raised expectations for next-generation mobile devices. Consumers hope such devices will bring more convenience, richer content, and wider service coverage. There is particularly increasing demand for LCDs with higher resolution, a wide color gamut, a wide viewing angle, and quick response, as well as being lightweight, compact, and ultra energy- efficient. The higher popularity and functionality of digital cameras and camera- equipped mobile phones mean that consumer demand for clearer displays are particularly strong in these areas.

Increasing the resolution and color range of LCDs is an important element in responding to these demands. Sanyo Epson, as a core company in achieving the "i3" (mobile display) strategy of the Epson Group's SE07 mid-range business plan, has developed products and technologies based on the concept of supplying clear, user- friendly displays that can be used anytime, anywhere.

The high-resolution LCDs that Sanyo Epson has developed feature a widened color gamut technology called "Photo Fine Chromarich" that enables superior resolution and extended color range by matching four color filters (the standard RGB plus cyan arrangement) with a new white backlight. The new displays (measuring 2.2, 2.8, and 4.5 inches) also boast higher aperture ratios and lower power consumption. In developing widened color gamut technology, Sanyo Epson extended the Epson Color Modulation (ECM) expertise cultivated by Epson in developing high-quality inkjet photo printers and applied it to LCDs. The technology enables colors like emerald green and blue to be reproduced with a level of accuracy not previously possible in small and medium-sized LCDs (screens currently on mobile phones cover only about 40% to 70% of the NTSC color gamut, with an average of about 50%).