Advanced Optical, Samsung to Develop Projector Light Engines

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Apr. 10 -- Advanced Optical Engineering and South Korea's Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co. have signed an agreement to develop and produce light engines for the projection market. The agreement follows the completion of Advanced Optical's development work on its Vista light engine, which the company says provides a platform for the rapid development of other light engine products for use in rear-projection computer monitors, PCTVs, television sets, and various Internet-ready appliances.
The terms of the agreement call for Samsung Electro-Mechanics to produce the Vista and other derivative engines for the Internet appliance industry. Samsung is to market the light engines in products under its own name, as well as to OEM customers. Advanced Optical's light engine employs the liquid-crystal-on-silicon technology developed by Three Five Systems of Tempe, Ariz.