Seiko Epson Corporation (Epson) has completed development and begun volume production of its new D6 series of high-temperature polysilicon TFT liquid crystal panels equipped with hybrid driving technology that further enhances the performance of 3LCD-type front-projectors and large-screen LCD projection TVs.

The D6 series, incorporating "Crystal Clear Fine" inorganic alignment layer HTPS technology, are 0.7-inch (diagonal 1.9 cm) panels designed for true-HD-ready (1080p) TV systems and front-projectors for home theater.

The resolution and image quality of visual image sources have been greatly improved due to the proliferation of high-definition players and digital high-definition broadcasting. This has generated growing demand for products that offer users a simple and easy way to enjoy high quality digital contents on a large screen at home. In order to meet the demands of the consumer, Epson developed its D6 series lineup, a series of panels designed to provide performance surpassing that of its preceding series.

The D6 series employs a hybrid technology that uses internal and external drivers for driving the LCD. Preceding products called for horizontal driver IC to be provided inside the panel. Externally mounted horizontal driver ICs, as used in the D6 series technology, have superior driving capabilities. Combined with the LCD driving controller IC on the panels connection tape, this results in smoother images, less power needed to drive the panel, and a reduction in the space required on the circuit board, making it possible to make projection products smaller.

This new D6 series panel is the first product to employ Epson's "Crystal Clear Fine (C2 Fine)" inorganic alignment technology, which was developed last year. In addition to the D6 series panel's own features, C2 Fine's capabilities are also effectively incorporated to achieve high contrast, produce smooth images, and reproduce jet black, resulting in high-definition images.

The D6 series panel, which incorporates these technologies and provides true HD (1080p), will allow users to enjoy with simplicity and ease, high-definition image quality on projection systems employing 3LCD technology.