Back from the brink: a made-for-TV technology is finally ready for prime time

This paper discusses the renewed interest in developing a hybrid technology, known as liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS), specifically for wide screen high-definition televisions. LCoS is one of three so-called microdisplay approaches for rear projection television. One of the main advantages of rear projection is that, unlike the case with LCDs or plasma displays, you don't have to pay disproportionately more to make a larger display. Plasma and LCD manufacturers must construct more pixel elements on a bigger sheet of glass, but for rear projection television, you just magnify the image. Companies such as Brillian Corp., the Victor Co. of Japan and Sony plan to release TV sets containing LCoS chips in the very near future.