Toshiba Corp has launched a memory chip array in Japan, saying that it can be used to store and reproduce large numbers of high definition television pictures. The TFS-500 contains 864 4M-bit dynamic memory chips, giving it the capacity to store up to 72 high-definition pictures, supporting still picture and slow motion playback. Toshiba sees it being used as the core for imaging systems in art galleries and medical applications, and in computer graphics. The TFS-500 costs from $76,000 with capacity for 12 frames to $145,000 for 72 frames. And Toshiba has teamed with synthetic fibres leader Toray Industries Inc, construction company Shimizu Corp, Canon Sales Co Inc and Japan Broadcasting’s NHK Enterprises Ltd to establish a research laboratory to develop computer-graphics technology using high-definition television. The partners are investing $4m in the 10-month effort, and will also co-operate with Carnegie Mellon University on it.
