The question of an announcement, by Microvision, of the OEM for the HEMP is on everyone’s mind. Some of us feel this announcement is imminent; while others feel it could be delayed for CES 2011 in January.
Either way, it is important to understand the various generations of Microvision PicoP Display Engines that we have [or will have] floating around very shortly… and based on which one the OEM decides to embed in the HEMP could very well dictate the announcement date.
Here we go…
1st Generation PDEs: This is one that went inside the SHOWwx [Standard and the Limited Edition] units shipped in March 2010. Features include a native resolution of WVGA (848 X 480), ultra-simple plug-and-play use, fiddle-free infinite focus, very high-contrast ratio, and bright vivid colors generated from ultra-miniature laser light sources. Users simply connect the SHOWWX to any mobile device with TV or VGA out (iPod, laptop, etc.) and project DVD-quality images from a mobile device, up to 200" across, depending on the ambient light.
Here’s the link to the press release…
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=114723&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1399816&highlight=
2nd Generation PDEs: Interestingly, on March 29th; Microvision announced the completion and shipment of initial samples of its new display engine that incorporates a proprietary ASIC chipset half the original size and weight and that consumes one third less power than its predecessor while delivering uniformly bright, vivid color WVGA (848 X 480) images up to 200 inches. It also provides a 5000:1 contrast ratio – 5 times greater than other pico projector engines in the market today and is always in focus without the need for focusing dials or optics – an especially desirable benefit for mobile consumers.
On April 5th; Microvision announced that it had received an $8.5 million purchase order for its new ultra-miniature PicoP laser projection display engine from a consumer electronics customer. The OEM plans to [in my opinion] embed this 2nd generation PicoP Display Engine inside the high-end mobile media player for release in late 2010 and plans to announce its launch at that time.
Here’s the link to the press release…
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=114723&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1407100&highlight=
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=114723&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1409371&highlight=
3rd Generation PDEs: On May 24th; Microvision unveiled the increased brightness 15-lumen 720p HD-ready laser pico projector demonstrator at The Society for Information Display Conference.
According to Microvision press release, the 720p HD-ready prototype pico projector outputs 15 lumens of brightness while still maintaining its compact, low profile form factor, very similar to Microvision's current WVGA product. The company plans a commercial product version of a 720p HD PicoP display engine in the second half of 2011. The new 720p, higher brightness prototype highlights the capability of PicoP technology to support new performance levels while still maintaining the compelling attributes of the existing PicoP platform, including:
• Infinite focus;
• Wide throw angle that offers an immersive visual experience;
• Superior brightness uniformity;
• High optical efficiency resulting in low power requirements;
• 5000:1 contrast ratio; and
• Vivid colors of up to 200% greater than standard broadcast television.
Here’s the link to the press release…
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=114723&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1430235&highlight=
4th Generation PDEs: These 4th generation PDEs will have to wait till first generation diode green lasers become available in 2012. Initially, the first generation diode green lasers are expected to be expensive compared to possibly the 3rd generation SHG green lasers that may be around… but still may find their way into the 4th generation PDEs as premium modules with higher brightness and resolution with lower power needs.
5th Generation PDEs: These 5th generation PDEs are expected to find their way into millions of PicoP projector in 2013; when 2nd generation diode green lasers would have dropped dramatically in price and reached optimum performance and efficiency levels.
All that is great news but for now let’s get back to the question of the OEM for the HEMP?
In my opinion, there is always the possibility that the OEM may go with the 2nd generation PDEs, as originally announced, and launch the product tomorrow on November 1, 2010.
However, if the 3rd generation PDEs are available now, or will be available shortly, I would change my bet and go with the CES 2011 in January as the possible announcement date.
If we were to pay attention to Microvision press release of April 5th; we may have the surprise announcement at the 3rd Qtr earnings conference call at 4:30pm on November 1, 2010…
“The unidentified customer plans to embed the PicoP engine inside a high-end mobile media player for release in late 2010 and plans to announce its launch at that time."
We just have to wait and see!
Anant Goel
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Microvision: Delays in Disclosing the OEM for High End Media Player
ReplyDeleteIt is Sunday morning [or Monday morning makes no difference] before the 3rd Qtr earnings conference call at 4:30 pm on November 1, 2010.
However, there is no news about the High End Media Player... while the expectations were for an announcement during the month of September.
I know; you don’t want to hear this… but, there may be delays caused by component cost and technology issues. What those issues are; is not clear at this point. In all probability, the CES in January 2011 might be the forum for disclosing OEM name for the HEMP.
It will be interesting to see how Microvision management addresses the OEM for the HEPM subject that everyone wants to hear about patiently for over two months now. It is my hope that there will be some good news presented by some straight shooting, visionary, and verbally communicating entrepreneur… someone that has the gumption to emulate the sense of urgency and hunger of the likes of Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Larry Ellison, Micheal Dell, Jeff Bezos, or Marc Benioff.
At Microvision, Alex Tokman is a very highly paid CEO of a company that is constantly struggling to raise capital for the last 4 years… to fund its lavish operating style best suited to running a multi-national global firm. As small investors, we know too well that fat paychecks and rich stock options don’t necessarily guarantee entrepreneurial results... unless the management is given truck loads of cash to burn [think Amazon] every Qtr after Qtr.
For whatever its worth, here’s what I hear about the delay, if you were to believe there is one, in announcing the OEM for HEMP…
• OEM wants to incorporate the 2nd generation IPM [with 720HD and 15 lumen] in its line of HEMP products… meaning, there is more than one flavor to this gizmo and OEM wants to come out with the latest version of the IPM.
• 2nd generation IPM is smaller, less power hungry and cheaper than the current version… and the total cost is more in-line with what the OEM desires the retail price to be around $599 for the HEMP.
• The time-line for 2nd generation IPM from Microvision is the first Qtr of 2011… meaning we should hear about the OEM name around CES 2011 in January with a HEMP product launch in April/May time frame?
• It seems like distributors [both international and domestic] have dropped sales price of SHOWwx down to $399… to clear out old inventory before the OEM announcement in January 2011. It is clearly understood in the sales channels that once the HEMP based on 2nd generation IPM is announced, the sales of current SHOWwx model at $449 would drop dramatically.
• Expect a lean sales period for SHOWwx during the first Qtr of 2011… as the consumer would wait for the second generation product, whether it is the new SHOWwx or the HEMP.
• The first generation IPM may be shipping in the 8,000 to 9,000 units per month range during the 4th Qtr 2010. Quantities of first generation are constrained [or controlled] by what the forecasted sales are... rather than what can be built at this stage.
• OEM for the HEMP is a multi-national company with sales channels both here in the US, as well as, internationally.
• Robust sales of HEMP are expected in the year 2011… and in all probability it will be the only embedded product until such time the 3rd generation IPM, based on diode Green Lasers, becomes available in the year 2012.
That’s about what she wrote on the back of the napkin… rest, of course, is all speculation on my part.
Better still, before you start throwing rocks and tomatoes at me, let’s agree to disagree… and just call “all of it” pure figment of my imagination.
Do you ever wonder, especially this time around in November of 2010, why corporate management at Microvision is dead silence after all the pleadings for communications and disclosures?
JB
What amazes me about everyone constantly complaining about lack of communication from MVIS management with regard to the HEMP launch date (and associated accusations/speculation of a launch delay) is that MVIS management very clearly stated that the launch date of the HEMP was not their decision, it was not within their control, and that the OEM would make the announcement AT THE TIME OF THEIR DISCRETION since it is their product. Very simple concept to understand. Once the OEM announces the launch date for their HEMP product, then MVIS will be able to announce the name of their OEM HEMP customer, not one second before. Again, very simple concept to understand. Yet, somehow many investors are unable to grasp this concept and instead complain that MVIS management is lacking communication and that there is a delay in an announcement that never had any expected date associated with it except for "late 2010". So, unless the OEM name has not been revealed by Jan 1, 2011, then all these accusations of delays and complaints about lack of communication make very little sense to me. I have had multiple issues with MVIS management in the past, but this is not one of them, nor do I understand how investors are making an issue of this.
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