AUO Corporation ("AUO" or the "Company") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO) and 3M (NYSE: MMM) today announced a new technology alliance that offers television manufacturers around the world an all-in-one solution for incorporating the best components for visual quality into their products. The two companies’ integrated manufacturing allows TV brands to quickly bring vivid, true-to-life screens from the concept stage to store shelves. AUO ALCD (Advanced LCD) technology pairs 3M’s Quantum Dot Enhancement Film, made with quantum dots produced by California-based Nanosys, Inc., with AUO’s backlight components, thus allowing an exceptionally wide color gamut and high dynamic range for UHD 4K TV panels up to 85 inches.
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AUO ALCD technology puts TV brands in position to create devices capable of reaching Rec. 2020, the International Telecommunications Union’s new global broadcasting standard for color-enhanced, 4K ultra-high definition displays. First published by the ITU in 2012 and previously only achievable by a small number of laser-based display technologies, Rec. 2020 calls for increased bit depth and a wider gamut of colors beyond the previous broadcasting standard. Achieving over 100 percent of the National Television System Committee (NTSC) color-gamut performance, ALCD renders much more detailed and lifelike images with quantum dot wide color gamut solution.
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“Consumers want the most efficient devices, coupled with great visual quality. Our work with innovators like AUO means combining great technologies and smart supply chains, from ideas to final delivery,” said Erik Jostes, Business Director for 3M Display Materials and Systems Division. “The exciting thing is that the LCD industry is on the verge of a color revolution. Quantum dot materials enable displays to produce colors richer than any other technology, providing life-like images of a quality never seen before.”
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“AUO is a world leader in display panel and system manufacturing, and we believe that enabling them to supply large volumes of quantum dot display products is a game-changer for the industry,” said Jason Hartlove, CEO of Nanosys. “Top consumer electronics brands now have a trusted, high quality path – from materials to optical films to display panels – to bring exceptional, high quality, high color gamut quantum dot display products to market, one which we believe will drive continued growth of this technology.”
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“AUO is constantly working to develop new, high-end display technologies to offer consumers incredible image quality that greatly enhances their viewing experience. We are excited to have attained breakthroughs in color saturation by partnering with 3M and Nanosys on quantum dot wide color gamut technology,” said Mr. Michael Tsai, the Senior Vice President and General Manager of AUO’s Video Solutions Business Group.
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The AUO and 3M solution is applicable to all TV brands and can easily integrate with their current manufacturing processes. The technology will be available in more LCD sizes with AUO ALCD entering mass production by the end of this year.