While the likes of Fujitsu Ltd, Sony Corp, Sharp Electronics Corp and AT&T Corp race to develop larger and flatter computer and television screens, based on liquid crystal display technology, Laser Display Technologie GmbH & Co, the 50-50 joint venture between Daimler-Benz AG’s microelectronics subsidiary Temic and Schneider Rundfunkwerke AG, has concentrated its efforts on something completely different. As the name suggests, its display is based on laser technology rather than liquid crystal display. And when Sony presented its flat screens at the Internationale Funkaustellung radio trade show in Berlin last month, Laser Display presented a prototype of its own. Unlike liquid crystal display technology which projects an image, laser display technology creates one from memory. Put simply, the video or television signal is routed to a laser that then draws the image on the actual projection surface at a speed of 60 miles per second. It can project on any screen, needs no cooling, and it can be sold as a projector or assembled in a screen console.
Blurs and distortions
Lasers, developers at the company noted, offer consumers several significant advantages over liquid crystal. They function independently of the broadcast standards PAL, NTSC, SECAM and High Definition Television, because the process will work with any picture source; it creates a picture free of blurs and distortions because all the information about the picture is contained in the light of the laser beam; and it is not threatening to the environment because the components do not contain toxic phosphorous compounds. Although all those involved are quite proud of the invention, the real credit goes to Christhard Deter, a citizen of former East Germany and the internationally recognised intellectual father of laser display technology. He holds the majority of laser technology patents filed to date. Convinced of his know-how, Schneider has invested an undisclosed sum in the development of laser technology. Daimler has only admitted that it has invested a lot in the venture. Although Schneider reported a group year-end loss for 1994 equivalent to $5.9m, Daimler – also a troubled company – defended its choice of partner by pointing out that it may indirectly boost Temic’s microelectronics business. The goal according to Klaus Bomhardt, former Temic director of development and soon to be named the joint venture’s managing director, is to provide laser display technology to global equipment and component manufacturers via licensing agreements. Just once I’d like to see Europe keep the technology it produces alive, Bomhardt said. The present laser display prototype brings together the work of several market leaders including Carl Zeiss, a maker of optoelectronic systems, and the Edinburgh division of GEC-Marconi Ltd, which designed and manufactured the necessary high precision scanners. Laser Display, Bomhardt said, is the first European entry in a market dominated by Asian and American players. The company will focus on two markets in two phases. Laser display projection units for professional use will be available in 1996, and there are plans for laser screen television sets two to three years after that. A version of the technology for personal computer owners is also planned. Prices will start at around $2,000 for professional models; the price on consumer models will be less than $600.
