Syndiant

Syndiant is introducing a new display controller ASIC for pico-projector - the SYA1022. The new ASIC provides more functionality, better power efficiency and lower production cost - and is also smaller than the previous controller (the SYA1012). Syndiant is already shipping samples to several companies. Production quantities will be available in September 2010.

The controller combines the control and frame buffer in a small 9x9 mm package so no external memory is required. Additionally, the SYA1022 supports all of Syndiant’s LCOS display panels, from 854x480 pixel Wide-VGA up through and including Syndiant’s industry leading SYL2061 1024x600 pixel Wide SVGA panel.

Syndiant's CTO is a big believer in HD pico projectors - he says that Syndiant are already working on these, and expect to sample a module later this year. These will go into volume production in 2011. Karl also posted some more information about the 6-way pico projector shootout they were showing at SID. Here's a nice photo showing a closeup of their LCoS technology projectors vs DLP and Laser-Beam-Steering:

Read his full post here. Disclosure: Syndiant is a sponsor of PicoProjector-Info.

A few weeks ago, Foryou announced a new optical engine (the PE-620) that will be released in July. It will feature low power (3W), 20 lumens and a WSVGA (1024x600) resolution (it uses Syndiant's SYL2061 LCoS panel, driven by a RGB LEDs). The size will be 17cc (54x39x12mm). Foryou has sent us several photos comparing the new module to 3M's MPro-120 pico projector. The MPro-120 features 640x480 resolution, 12 lumens and costs $244 (Here's our in-depth review).

So obviously the PE-620 offers a brighter and sharper image, as you can see in the photos (here's the PDF with all the photos). Keep in mind that Foryou themselves sent those in - so this isn't an objective test of course. It's a shame that they didn't compare it to 3M's latest MPRo-150, which has a brighter image at 15 lumens. The Mpro-150 is available for $346. Read our full review, we really like this projector.

ASTRI is showing their pico-projector modules at Projection Summit, and are giving us some more details.

The first module is aimed toward stand alone pico-projectors, and is based on Syndiant's SYL2061 LCoS module that supports a resolution of 1024x600 pixels. The volume is 17cm³, and it's already on the market with a $80 price tag. It reaches 20lm brightness with 2.3W power, and the contrast is 300:1.

The second module is aimed towards embedded pico-projectors, and it's much smaller - 4cm³. It uses Syndiant's SYL-2030 LCoS module which offers a WVGA resolution (854x480 pixel) in a 6mm package. With 1W of power the brightness is 8lm - but ASTRI plans to raise the brightness to 10lm. The current cost is $40 and ASTRI hopes to lower it to $25 by 2011.

Syndiant, Foryou and ASTRI labs have developed a new pico-projector engine. The new engine is based on Syndiant's SYL2030 panel, which offers WVGA resolution (854x480 pixel) in a 6mm package. The light source is a LED. The total engine is smaller than 4cc, and only 6mm in height. They plan to ship the engine before the end of 2010, and say that it's ideal for embedding into mobile devices.

Back in January, Syndiant and Foryou announced an upcoming pico-projector that uses Syndiant's SYL2061 LCoS panel, supporting 1,024x600 resolution.

Foryou Multimedia Electronics is set to release a new optical engine (the PE-620) in July. It will feature low power (3W), 20 lumens and a WSVGA (1024x600) resolution. The size will be 17cc (54x39x12mm).

The PE-620 uses Syndiant's SYL2061 LCoS panel, driven by a RGB LEDs.

Syndiant wanted to show a 3D demo with their pico projectors, and did it in a cool way. The took two prototype pico projectors, put polarizing films in each, and taped them together. The images were precisely aligned - and you get a 3D image (you need polarized glasses for this).

Nice trick. Obviously you need to position this careful to reproduce...