Visual display sets the trend

Rapid developments in the expanding world of multimedia, virtual realtyand wireless telecommunications means that high-definition visual display technology has become the current trend driver of the electronics industry.

Recognising this, Electronic Asia hosts two new elements this year - the World of Display Technology and a Display Technology Symposium.

The World of Display Technology, jointly organised by the TDC and Germany's Messe Munchen International, has attracted 42 exhibitors from Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan and aims to provide a comprehensive overview of what the display sector has to offer, from materials and equipment to products and services.

The Display Technology Symposium, to be held on Thursday and Friday, provides a discussion forum and plays host to guest speakers that include industry experts from leading world companies.

The symposium programme includes papers on display technologies for the next millennium, the digital revolution in electronic projection display technology, micro- display solutions, plasma displays and papers that examine electronic ink and display drivers. There will be a panel discussion after the forum.

'The symposium, together with the fair, will become the key international event for the display technology industry in this part of the world,' Anne Chick, TDC's deputy senior manager of exhibitions, said.

Electronic Asia '99, the international trade fair for components, assemblies and electronics production which runs concurrently with the Electronics Fair, is the biggest component showcase in Asia.

Those attending will know the world of display technology is in its infancy.

What is clear is that the most ex citing and far-reaching part of the market lies with micro-displays.

Split into two areas - projection and virtual - the eventual use for such displays at the moment can only really be dreamed about.

Projection displays use reflective liquid on silicon.

They provide rear-screen projection and currently are used commercially for high-end large-format computer monitors. With the gradual lowering of costs the impact will be huge - not just with computers but the television and telecommunications industries as well.

Micro-displays may replace optical or low-resolution viewfinders like those found on a camcorder or camera. They could also become the norm on cellular phones.