BANGALORE, INDIA: DLP Technology from Texas Instruments (TI), announced production availability of a DLP Pico chipset, which includes an imaging chip and a processor to enable a new class of handheld and mobile projection products.

These chips, which will be available in the second half of 2008, deliver functionality that will improve the visual display experience from handheld devices and transform their use from "tiny screen" viewing to "big picture" viewing allowing others to share in the video and graphics experience. 

The DLP pico-projector prototype will be on display in the Texas Instruments booth located in Hall 8, #8A84 at the 2008 GSMA Mobile World Congress.

The DLP Pico chipset is geared to meet the growing mobile needs of consumers for communication and entertainment devices. While tiny by nature and easily able to fit into a mobile device, this new DLP offering produces unmatched image quality that leverages the core technologies behind hallmark DLP home theater projectors and DLP Cinema.

Taking multimedia content beyond the confines of mobile devices, the DLP Pico chipset can be paired with a TI OMAP application processor to deliver better mobile user experience.  The imaging, video and graphics processing capabilities enabled by OMAP processors, paired with the DLP Pico chipset projection and imaging capabilities provide the perfect combination for "big picture" viewing of content stored on mobile devices. 

"Transforming and improving the way content is experienced from mobile devices has taken a giant step forward with the announcement of production availability of DLP Pico chipset ," said Frank J. Moizio, business manager, emerging markets for TI's DLP Front Projection. "Working with our partners (Foxconn, Sypro, and Young Optics), we are delighted by the image quality that this chipset is capable of producing in their products - it truly has to be seen to be believed."

"Texas Instruments is making headway in an untapped market and appears to be forging a leadership position.  We expect projection within handset devices to start appearing in 2009, in a market where significant volumes are expected over the next five years." said Bill Coggshall, founder of independent projector market research experts Pacific Media Associates. "This is an exciting time for the projection industry and TI is leading the way.

The DLP Pico chipset will consist of the DLP Pico chip and the DLP Pico processor (DDP1500 and DDP1505).  The DPP1500 is targeted at embedded applications for handheld devices, while the DDP1505 will serve the standalone handheld companion market.  The DLP Pico solution  delivers an aperture ratio of more than 92 percent, tens of thousands of pixel elements, switching speeds of less than 20 microseconds and DarkChip native contrast ratio process technology.

In addition, the chipset is capable of displaying the widest color gamuts possible with the flexibility to operate with the latest in LED illumination technology.  DLP enables safe, affordable and reliable products that will not fade or degrade over time and use.

With more than 15 million units shipped to date, DLP has an excellent track record of meeting the demand associated with the high volume mobile device market. This new chip builds upon a tradition of reliability associated with DLP which is known for industry-leading picture reliability.