What are the core components of a projector? The light source, light valve, control IC, and lens constitute the three core parts. In the projector market, there are three main types of light valve technology, DMD, LCD and LCOS. The DMD scheme is a patented technology of TI in the United States; LCD is divided into single LCD solution providers, mainly BOE, and 3LCD is the main technology of Japanese companies such as Sony and Epson; The main brands of LCOS technology projectors in the market are JVC and Canon. It can be said that these three technical routes have their own advantages and disadvantages, from the upstream point of view, TI, Sony, Epson, JVC are in a monopoly position, how to break through the "stuck neck"? At present, local enterprises mainly choose LCOS technology.
The foundation has long been laid for homegrown LCOS technology
At the beginning of this century, the LCOS industry conducted in-depth research and exploration in terms of technology research and development, product innovation, and market expansion, laying the foundation for subsequent development.
As early as 1998, with the support of the Ministry of Education and the Tianjin Municipal Science and Technology Commission, the Institute of Optoelectronics of the School of Information of Nankai University set foot in the deep ocean of LCOS microdisplay chip technology for the first time in China. With the spirit of perseverance, we have successfully developed the first LCOS microdisplay chip in China.
Subsequently, between 2002 and 2005, many companies targeted the global massive market for rear projection TVs. In addition to Japan's Sony and JVC, South Korea's Samsung, LG and other technology giants, there are also Visiontron Technology, SMIC, TaiUC, Jasper Display, Jiangxi Hongyuan Digital Display Technology, Henan Brilliant, Wuhan Quanzhen Optoelectronics, Shenzhen Yangtze River Liwei, Shanghai Huayuan and other companies have also joined the R&D competition of LCOS products. Some companies have successfully achieved mass production and manufactured a projection machine, contributing to China's scientific and technological undertakings.
The development process of LCOS in recent years
In November 2019, Shanghai Huixinchen released its first LCOS (liquid crystal on silicon) chip, and announced that it had received tens of millions of yuan of investment from Shenzhen Capital Group, a well-known domestic investment institution.
At the end of 2020, Hui Xinchen announced 026-inch 720P LCOS chip achieved mass production;
Haowei Technology, a subsidiary of Weir Co., Ltd., intervened in the LCOS chip market as early as 2010 and launched LCOS silicon-based liquid crystal in the fourth quarter of 2022;
In 2021, Xinshiyuan Technology launched 026-inch silicon-based LCOS microdisplay chip SVC1K26. This chip is not only the fifth masterpiece independently developed by Xinshiyuan, but also has set off a wave of innovation in the field of microdisplay with its excellent performance parameters. The effective display size of the SVC1K26 is as compact as 576mm x 3.24mm, but it can present a stunning 1280x720 HD resolution in such a small space.
In 2023, the company announced that it will realize the complete production process of LCOS chips in one phase and one step, including core links such as LCD filling, LCD modules and optical engines. This move is expected to bring their annual production to a staggering 1 million LCOS microdisplay chips. By 2024, it is planned to increase the annual production capacity of the first phase of the project to more than 3 million LCOS microdisplay chips.
Last year, Xinding Micro Company displayed a number of LCOS chips that have mass production capacity, including 037-inch 720p and 1080p versions, as well as 0The 55-inch 1080p and 4K versions are now available for mass production.
At the 2023 LCOS Display Industry Summit Forum, Dr. Huang Zhenchao, General Manager of iTrend, said that in order to promote the development and growth of the LCOS display industry, it is far from enough to rely on a few LCOS vendors; Optoelectronic semiconductor chips are a high-investment and high-risk industry, and it is difficult to develop sustainably without the warmth and sincere cooperation of the entire industry chain; "We call on and expect partners to support the development of LCOS industry and achieve better marketization; iSign is willing to expand LCOS business cooperation with more partners and provide strategic support."
HiSilicon will launch a new LCOS projection solution in 2024
As the world's leading information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, HiSilicon has been widely recognized for its technological breakthroughs and innovation capabilities in many fields. Recently, it was reported that HiSilicon will launch a new LCOS projection technology solution, which has undoubtedly attracted huge attention in the projection industry. So, with the launch of HiSilicon's LCOS projection technology solution, how will the projection industry develop?
First of all, HiSilicon launched the LCOS projection technology solution, which will further promote the technological upgrading and product innovation of the projection industry. With the in-depth development and application of LCOS technology, we believe that in the future, projection devices will be significantly improved in terms of contrast and clarity, bringing users a more shocking audio-visual experience.
Second, HiSilicon's LCOS projection technology will promote the development of related industry chains. From the manufacture of silicon substrates to the research and development of liquid crystal materials, and then to the production of projection equipment, the wide application of this technology will promote the coordinated development of related industries and form a more complete industrial chain. Dr. Huang Zhenchao, general manager of Xinding Micro, once said that in order to promote the development and growth of the LCOS display industry, it is far from enough to rely on a few LCOS companies; Optoelectronic semiconductor chips are a high-investment and high-risk industry, and it is difficult to develop sustainably without the warmth and sincere cooperation of the entire industry chain;
Third, more brands will launch LCOS projection products, and it is expected that the brand will launch three-chip laser projection before the "Double 11" promotion, and will continue to launch single-chip low-end solutions in the future. XGIMI、Nuts、Dangbei and others will be the first to launch a projector based on HiSiliconLCOSscheme,It is worth looking forward to。
Fourth, the market competition pattern will change. With the maturity and implementation of LCOS technology, it remains to be seen who will be more competitive and occupy a larger share of DMD, LCD and LCOS. According to Lotu data, in 2023, China's home laser projection (including laser TV) market shipments will be 5930,000 units, an increase of 35 compared to 20225%。With the arrival of HiSilicon's solution, the projection market will be significantly more dynamic and further expanded.
In addition, whether HiSilicon's LCOS solution will affect the rhythm of Ti, Xiao Xiao, a veteran of the projection industry, said that in the context of the domestic projection market accounting for nearly half of Ti's DLP sales, TI will not simply give up this "main market". It is foreseeable that the battle of the light valve will be a fierce competition in the future. Moreover, in addition to DLP, LCOS, LCD, there is also a new Micro LED system projection technology ...... behind
Postscript:For projection equipment manufacturers, in order to be invincible in the fierce market competition, they must keep up with the trend of technological development and continuously launch innovative and competitive products. At the same time, it is also necessary to pay attention to the changes in user needs and provide more personalized and diversified products and services. Otherwise, projection companies will face more pressure and may even be forced to withdraw from the market.
HiSilicon's LCOS projection technology solution will inject new impetus into the development of the projection industry. With the continuous progress of technology and the continuous expansion of application scenarios, the projection industry will usher in a broader development space and a better future. The projection era is looking forward to the projection industry with the blessing of "new technologies and new solutions", and the future development can continue to break through the "stuck neck" and bring users a better large-screen experience. (The picture in the article is not a HiSilicon solution).