Big Market Results in Store for Miniature MEMs Devices

Big Market Results in Store for Miniature MEMs Devices

MEMs devices have been around since the 1980's, but it appears that this market has finally achieved mass market acceptance thanks to demand for everything from DLP® TVs to implantable drug pumps. MEMs devices are very small machines that have been combined with silicon to provide equipment with circuit solutions and moving parts. The inkjet printer market benefits from this technology, as the tiny devices are used in print heads, constituting 25 percent of the worldwide MEMs market. However, the rear projection television market is expected to gain share and bypass the print head MEMs business within the next few years.

In a recent report by Databeans, Inc., the MEMs market, estimated at $6.3 billion this year, is on track to double its size in five years, due to increasing economies of scale in manufacturing and new applications that show compelling arguments to utilize this technology.

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Sony Unveils Shoot, Edit & Playback HD Solutions at Sony HD World

Sony Unveils Shoot, Edit & Playback HD Solutions at Sony HD World

With the impending arrival of the full High-Definition SXRD Projection televisions and already launched S-series, Sony introduces new additions to the BRAVIA family including the full High Definition X-series, V-series, 3LCD Projection televisions. Singapore, 22nd September 2006 – The success of Sony’s first BRAVIA LCD televisions witnessed the expansion of the BRAVIA family with full High Definition televisions, X-series and SXRD Projection and High Definition-ready televisions with the V-series, S-series and 3LCD Projection TVs. Powering the new line-up is the Sony-developed one chip digital processor, the BRAVIA Engine. The BRAVIA Engine reproduces ultra-high picture quality to create a realistic viewing experience by digitally enhancing the input sources. This results in exceptional contrast and cleaner images with smoother edge detail.

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Chatfield appeal fails

Chatfield appeal fails

A FORMER Warrnambool Aboriginal cultural officer yesterday had his appeal against a jail sentence for stealing television sets dismissed in the Warrnambool County Court.

Joseph James Chatfield, 34, of Dooley Street, was convicted of two charges of both burglary and theft in the Portland Koori Court on January 11 this year and received four months' imprisonment with another two months suspended for 12 months.

At that time elders sitting alongside Magistrate Michael Stone slammed Chatfield's actions as a ``disgrace'' and accused him of embarrassing the Koori community, where he was regional manager of the Victorian Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Program.

The County Court heard yesterday that Chatfield was involved in stealing three large TVs in two separate burglaries from Warrnambool's On The Spot TV store.

Outsourcing accelerates in LCD TV market, say iSuppli

Outsourcing accelerates in LCD TV market, say iSuppli Due to the explosive growth of LCD TV sales, outsourced design and manufacturing activities are taking off in the television market, according to iSuppli. The portion of LCD TV manufacturing outsourced to contract manufacturers will increase to 38% of units in 2010, up from 27.1% in 2005. On the other hand, the percentage of in-house LCD TV manufacturing will decrease to 62% in 2010, down from 72.9% in 2005. This represents a massive opportunity for contract manufacturers, i.e. electronics manufacturing services (EMS) providers and original design manufacturers (ODMs), especially those with strong design capabilities. Unit shipments of LCD TVs are projected to rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 44.3% during the 2005 to 2010 period. LCDs will surpass CRTs to become the mainstream television technology in 2009.

Kimball International, Inc. Reports First Quarter Fiscal Year 2007 ...

Kimball International, Inc. Reports First Quarter Fiscal Year 2007 ... JASPER, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kimball International, Inc. (NASDAQ:KBALB) today announced financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2007, which ended September 30, 2006. Sales, gross profit, selling, general and administrative costs, operating income and income from continuing operations discussed below exclude the results of discontinued operations for the prior year. Net income discussed below includes the results of discontinued operations for the prior year. There were no discontinued operations reported in the current year. Consolidated Overview Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal year 2007 were $314.8 million compared to net sales of $267.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2006. First quarter fiscal 2007 includes sales of $63.8 million from two acquisitions that were completed during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2006 in the Company's Electronic Contract Assemblies segment.