New 22 Inch TFT LCD Displays from Fujitsu Target PC Multimedia and Television Markets

Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe has announced the introduction of two 22-inch high-definition, full colour active matrix TFT-LCD displays for PC multimedia and television applications. A new robust structure makes the panels resistant to external stress and vibration, making them ideal for use in consumer environments.

Giving an effective 22-inch diagonal screen size equivalent to a 25-inch CRT, these latest LCD displays integrate Fujitsu’s MVA (Multi-domain Vertical Alignment) ‘Premium’ technology, which offers significant enhancements in contrast ratio and overall viewing angle, while reducing response time down to 25ms.

Fujitsu’s advanced TFT-LCD MVA process technology features liquid crystal molecules angled in more than one direction within a single cell. This is achieved by the division of the cell into two or more regions, called domains, and by using protrusions on the glass surfaces to pre-tilt the molecules in the desired direction. By combining very small areas of molecules orientated in two directions, one opposite the other, the brightness of the cells is made to appear uniform over a wide range of viewing angles.

This unique patented technology provides what is widely acknowledged as the best performance of any TFT-LCD panels currently available. Typically, MVA ’Premium’ displays provide a viewing angle of 170° in the horizontal and vertical directions and 160° in any direction. The displays offer a high contrast ratio of to 600:1, a high brightness of 500cd/m2, a palette of 16.7 million colours and a colour purity of 85% as defined by the European Broadcast Union. MVA technology ensures that panels are free from grey scale inversion and colour distortion.

The response times of the new displays are as fast as 25ms, the rise time being 15ms and the decay time 10ms or less. The 10ms response from white to black, which is the most recognisable transition to the human eye, is particularly fast, making MVA LCD technology particularly suitable for reproducing moving images.

The LCD displays incorporate twelve replaceable backlight CCFLs (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps) with a life expectancy of 50,000 hours. An on-board inverter power supply and an LVDS interface are provided.

The FLC56XWC8V (*XGA) PC multimedia version provides a resolution of 1280 pixels (horizontal) x 768 (vertical) with a pixel pitch of 0.375 mm and the FLC56UWC8V (*HDTV+) television version offers 1920 x 1200 pixels with a pitch of 0.247 mm.

Note* XGA = Extended VGA. HDTV+ = High Definition TV+

UK church service Webcast

The first Webcast of a Sunday morning church service in the UK was carried out yesterday at St. Philip and St. James Anglican church, Bath.

The 170 congregation at the service was swelled by a further 500 who joined them online from countries around the world from places as widespread as Hong Kong, America, Australia and Uganda.

The Reverend Alan Bain (right) approached TeleWest to see if it was possible to spread his message to a wider group of people, “We hope by breaking down barriers to religion our church will become more accessible to those who are unable or unwilling to attend the service.”

The final hymn of the service, Amazing Grace, was chosen by the virtual congregation.

The service is also being archived and will be available on demand at www.broadbandreligion.co.uk

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Wireless Xbox gets FCC approval

Microsoft have been given the all clear to bringing out a wireless 54Mb version of the Xbox, after they won approval from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Knowledge of this came about after the FCC posted information of the approval on their Web site in error. Interestingly Advance Data Technology Corp. of Taiwan is listed as the technical contact of the applications.

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Korean DSL provider Thurnet failles to find a buyer

After being the toast of the broadband world some of South Korea’s broadband providers appear to be having some problems.

Thrunet is currently in receivership, has failed to find a buyer and is in the process of forming a restructuring plan to submitting to the court. If this is rejected by the court, it is possible that it will pass into insolvency.

There are rumours in the market about the cash base of the second-largest provider, Hanaro Telecom as they put deals together with external investors.

The only one that appears to be sitting pretty is the old incumbent telco, KT Crop, who has 95% of the domestic call market and 50% of the DSL.

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The MPA take legal action in the UK against DVD copying software company

The International arm of the American film industry representative body, the Motion Picture Association (MPA), is taking legal action in the UK against 321 Studios seeking to prevent the sale of its DVD copying software in the UK. The industry organisation has launched its High Court bid through Warner Home Video UK.

The MPAA claim the the software is in “flagrant breach” of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 because it allows anti-copying protection of DVDs to be bypassed. Jack Valenti, its President and CEO said “The law does not allow for the copying of commercial DVDs, and technologies designed to get round copyright protection are plain unlawful.”

321 Studio’s position is that the purchaser of a DVD has a right to make a copy to guard against its loss or damage. Back in February 2003, 321 Studios announced their own Piracy Prevention Program offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of any parties misusing the software for pirating movies.

This news comes on the same day that another UK company, Redxpress, plan to launch their DVD copying software in the UK.