The company is expecting a huge demand for this new technology from an identified market for large screen displays used in high ambient light areas, including theme parks, museums, trade shows and exhibitions. Independent research carried out by SRI has estimated the professional market for large display screens using existing technology to be valued at in excess of $5bn by the year 2007. The new market area unlocked by ITrans alone could have a value of in excess of $1bn by 2007.
The patented ITrans technology provides a continuous, seamless, high-resolution image with excellent viewability from all angles, at a wide range of distances. ITrans achieves this through the use of a novel non-imaging optical magnifier designed to allow unlimited seamless tiling whilst ensuring excellent viewing characteristics. Tony Kellett, CEO at Screen Technology, comments: "To date, plasma technologies have been available for smaller screens, typically up to about 60". LED video screens have been used for very large screens, usually over 200". This has left a hole in the market where there is considerable latent demand but no acceptable technology solution. Use of LEDs in this area have had limited acceptance due to the prohibitive costs, we're delighted to be the first company to launch a technology that finally delivers the performance. We look forward to the next phase of taking ITrans to market."
Screen Technology was awarded a DTI SMART Exceptional Award for a £756,000 project to develop a pilot manufacturing process for the ITrans technology in June 2003. Lighting&Sound International magazine's Technical Focus reported on the forthcoming technology in November 2003.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
