Himax unveils world's first USB 3.0 pico-projector solution

TAINAN, TAIWAN: Himax Technologies Inc. announced the launch of the world's first USB 3.0 pico-projector solution. This unique solution combines SVGA (800x600) high-resolution LCOS microdisplays from Himax Display (subsidiary of Himax Technologies, Inc.) with a USB 3.0 chip (ET12U320A) from Evolution Technology Corp.(subsidiary of Faraday Technology Corp.).

The unit can be powered through devices such as desktops or laptops via their USB ports, without the need for an additional external power supply. The solution enables a smooth real-time video viewing experience on the go. Numerous laptop brands around the globe are already showing strong interest in adopting this pico-projector solution.

Due to the increasing popularity of video sharing sites such as YouTube and Youku, high speed data transfer rates are a feature that customers demand and fully expect. By incorporating USB 3.0, Himax LCOS solution is able to deliver video at a data transfer rate which is 10 times faster than the prevalent USB 2.0 platform and brings a more enriching video viewing experience to pico-projector users.

One of the bottlenecks of USB 2.0 was support of video resolution only up to VGA (640x480) resolution due to the limited data-transfer bandwidth. With USB 2.0, higher-resolution videos were simply impossible without resulting in delays and skipping during playback.

However, the USB 3.0 interface provides a higher bandwidth which facilitates higher-resolution videos playing in a seamless real time environment while still maintaining compatibility with USB enabled devices currently on the market. Himax Display offers a series of high-resolution LCOS microdisplays now with support up to SVGA resolution and plans to develop products up to Full HD (1920x1080) resolution in the future.

HC Tsai, VP of Himax Display, said: "Himax's world-leading LCOS USB 3.0 pico-projector solution demonstrates a breakthrough in the pico-projector market and brings two major benefits to customers: The first is an unprecedented real-time, seamless and high-quality video streaming projection. The second is the higher portability and enhanced convenience of the pico-projectors through utilizing the ubiquitous USB port and eliminating the need for external power supplies. Our LCOS USB 3.0 solutions can be adapted with laptops, desktops, monitors, digital photo frames, digital cameras, handsets and other consumer electronics devices. We believe this solution will become the leading mainstream choice for pico-projectors."

Himax is committed to providing leading-edge pico-projector solutions to the market. Himax has been in mass production of SVGA and XGA high-resolution microdisplays for LCOS pico-projector solutions with a USB interface. A number of customers have also started end-product development using Himax's WXGA higher-resolution microdisplays.