Sharp Microelectronics Previews Roadmap for Large-Format LCD Displays

CAMAS, Wash. – January 9, 2004 – Sharp Microelectronics of the Americas announced today Sharp’s roadmap for large-format Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) modules. Following the January 2004 opening of its sixth generation manufacturing facility in Kameyama City, Japan, Sharp plans expanded availability worldwide for its large format displays. The opening of this state-of-the-industry manufacturing facility will result in the availability of additional LCD sizes, spanning from 26 inches to more than 40 inches.

“These large format displays are the most advanced displays yet from Sharp,” said Joel Pollack, Vice President of the Display Business Unit at Sharp Microelectronics of the Americas. “With these displays, Sharp set the industry standard for performance in LCD TVs. We welcome the opportunity to offer new sizes to our OEM partners in North America, as well as greater availability.”

Sharp’s expanded lineup of large format displays includes new modules in 26- and 32-inch sizes, as well as larger panels in excess of 40 inches. In addition, Sharp will offer an enhanced version of its 37-inch module currently in mass production. These LCD modules complement Sharp’s existing lineup of large panels in sizes from 13- to 37-inches, designed primarily for applications including LCD TV, dynamic signage, kiosks, gaming and security/surveillance.

Demand for large-format displays currently outstrips availability, according to industry analysts, and demand is expected to grow at a rate of 7 percent annually, fueled by the popularity of flat-panel TVs and the use of large panels in non-TV applications.

“Sharp is prepared to meet the expected demand for LCD panels that offer outstanding clarity and color performance,” added Pollack. “With these displays, we’ve attained LCD technology breakthroughs that will usher in even more widespread consumer acceptance. We expect to see the large-format LCD panels become the display of choice in both consumer and commercial applications.”

Sharp currently is the market leader in finished LCD TV products, according to a recent report from analysts at Display Search. In LCD module shipments, Sharp holds a 29 percent market share, with projected growth to 48 percent in Q1 ’04. Sharp’s new manufacturing facilities will help the company meet the expected market growth.

Unique Display Technologies
Unique to Sharp’s large-format LCD panels are a number of proprietary technologies, including: 1) Sharp’s Quick Shoot functionality that eliminates ghosting due to live action video, characteristic of other LCD technologies; 2) ASV1 technology which enables 170-degree symmetric viewing from almost any angle; and 3) Ultra High Aperture (UHA) for high brightness, improved color saturation, with low power consumption.

Sharp’s Kameyama Facility
Sharp’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Kameyama City, Mie Prefecture, Japan will support the production of large-format LCD panels for use in Sharp’s own products and for OEM products. Representing an investment of 100 billion yen, the plant will integrate the entire production process, ranging from manufacturing LCDs to assembling finished products. The facility will use the world’s largest mother glass (1500 mm x 1800 mm), and is expected to produce 100,000 LCD TV units per month.

About Sharp Microelectronics of the Americas
Sharp Microelectronics of the Americas, Camas, Wash., is a U.S.-based company and a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation, which is a subsidiary of Sharp Corporation, Osaka, Japan. Sharp is a worldwide developer of core digital technologies that are playing an integral role in shaping the next generation of electronic products for consumer and business needs. Sharp Microelectronics of the Americas offers breakthrough memory, LCD, optoelectronics, CCD, RF/IR, microcomputer and system-on-chip components, along with packaging and integration skills that help design engineers throughout North and South America bring their ambitious ideas to market. Sharp Microelectronics of the Americas is dedicated to improving people’s lives through the use of advanced technology and a commitment to innovation, quality, value and design. For more information, call 1-800-642-0261 or visit www.sharpsma.com.

1 Advanced Super View (ASV) technology supports a viewing angle up to 170 degrees (H) x 170 degrees (V), without compromise to response speed. ASV panels have a 500:1 contrast ratio. ASV’s low-reflective black TFT-LCD minimizes bright pixel defects resulting from nonfunctional transistors. As a result, users are assured of a clear, bright image, readable under virtually any lighting condition, and from any angle.