The perception that liquid crystal diodes do not represent an acceptable long-term display technology seems to have really caught on in the past 18 months or so, and all over the world, consortia are rushing to perfect something with more versatility and fewer drawbacks. In the latest effort, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd, NHK – the Japan Broadcasting Corp, E I DuPont de Nemours Co and Texas Instruments Japan Ltd, say they have perfected 26 and 40 colour plasma display panels for use in flat panel televisions. Samples of the 26 panels will start in October, with the larger one following in June 1996, and the 26 panel will cost under $10,000, which still sounds rather steep. Matsushita Electronics Corp says it will invest $600m by 2000 developing the display system further.
