Chapter 505: Technology Battle (Two in One)

Very wonderful.

Fang Zhuo sat in the coffee shop on the second floor of the hotel, listening to the talk of Sun Zhizhou, deputy director of Texas Instruments, and had only this feeling in his heart.

The transition between the rich and the administration in the United States is really smooth. After this busy period, the business resumes of Bloomberg in New York, Evans in Commerce, and Rumsfeld in Defense are all very dazzling.

If I give up business and go into politics, and get in touch with Comrade Guanhai, wouldn’t it be a different kind of magic?

In my impression, the Department of Energy seems to have its first Chinese head.

As Sun Zhizhou stopped talking, Fang Zhuo stopped his imagination. Texas Instruments’ visit was actually not complicated. It just came up with a package solution.

We pay a package of funds, and the other party provides a solution.

Texas Instruments has more than ten wafer fabs in the world, and wants to find buyers for two of its backward production line equipment. This is one.

Texas Instruments can do patent licensing and industry semiconductor production line solutions, and wants to grab a competitor’s business. This is the second.

As for the third point, it was not about money, but the content really surprised Fang Zhuo.

"Mr. Sun, regardless of what you said before, what is the relationship between this Chinese TV company and me?" Fang Zhuo asked in astonishment, "Neither Yike nor Bingxin is involved in the DLP technology you promote. What you said about exerting influence on TV companies..."

He spread his hands and felt very strange.

The first two points were understandable, but suddenly it jumped to the DLP rear-projection TV technology that Texas Instruments wanted to promote, and asked him to exert influence on domestic TV manufacturers to fight against Epson, Sony, Sanyo, Panasonic, Hitachi and other 3LCD Alliance companies...

Fang Zhuo thought for a moment that his Yike was the leader of Chinese TV companies.

Rear-projection TV is a TV that uses the principles of projection and reflection. Among them, according to the type of projector used internally, it is mainly divided into LCD and DLP.

Texas Instruments is a strong promoter of DLP technology, and its products include rear-projection TVs and projectors.

In Sun Zhizhou's description, the 3LCD Alliance led by Epson and the DLP Alliance led by Texas Instruments are fighting to the death.

Texas Instruments' companies include InFocus, Toshiba, Mitsubishi, Barco, etc.

"Mr. Fang, haven't you already exerted influence?" Sun Zhizhou said seriously.

Fang Zhuo gave a question mark face.

"We, TI, have cooperated with Changhong, Konka and others in China in the past two years and established a joint laboratory to promote the development of DLP in China." Sun Zhizhou explained the whole story clearly, "But Changhong suddenly ended its cooperation with TI, closed the DLP laboratory, and turned to LCD."

"This led to Konka and other companies following suit, directly strengthening the LCD alliance."

He said with a sharp look in his eyes: "Mr. Fang, isn't the change in Changhong your influence? There is no need to shirk responsibility for this matter, right?"

Fang Zhuo: "..."

If we talk about this technical route, it was to let Changhong do LCD and rush to do plasma. Who knew that you, TI, were doing DLP rear projection.

He was silent for a few seconds, and felt that the chain changes made by Changhong were very... interesting.

"Did TI find me this time because of the changes in the Chinese TV market?" Fang Zhuo asked a question.

Sun Zhizhou naturally had nothing to hide when he said this, and nodded: "Yes, Mr. Fang, we attach great importance to the development of DLP technology in the global market. This is related to industry standards. We are surprised by the sudden change of the Huaxia market. It took some time to understand Mr. Fang's promotion."

- It took some time to find out the murderer behind it.

Fang Zhuo frowned slightly, thinking that there were still some misunderstandings.

Changhong and Texas Instruments cooperated to create a DLP technology laboratory, which involved rear-projection TVs rather than ordinary TVs. This positioning was more high-end, not the LCD and plasma dispute that he talked about.

Moreover, the choice of TV companies must follow the market rules. What influence can I exert?

Well, it is necessary to communicate with Lao Ni to see how he makes decisions.

Sun Zhizhou took a sip of coffee and narrated the last part: "We know that Mr. Fang has a great influence on China's TV companies. We also heard that Mr. Fang encountered some difficulties in making Bingxin, so this is actually a win-win situation."

"Mr. Fang, what do you think?"

Fang Zhuo rubbed his fingers, without bragging, and said slowly: "Mr. Sun, neither Yike nor Bingxin is involved in the TV business. The so-called great influence... I have some personal relationship with Changhong, I am afraid you have misunderstood."

Sun Zhizhou raised his voice a little to strengthen his words: "Mr. Fang, can personal feelings make Changhong suddenly go to Luzhou to acquire a company? Can personal feelings make Konka close its laboratory?"

Fang Zhuo did not let his expression change.

Tesla really came prepared to let this Chinese deputy director come to the door.

But, he was too prepared!

Talking about Changhong, that's okay, but Konka is even more unrelated!

However, this condition put by TI at the end may be the most determined driving force for this trip. Compared with the second-hand equipment, patent authorization and industry solutions of the production line, the competition of the technical route of rear-projection TV is a broader market.

Whoever dominates the product standard will get the biggest piece of cake.

Does TI want that 300 to 400 million US dollars?

Of course, it does.

But what it wants more is the technical participation and dominance of the billion or even multi-billion market.

Moreover, in the rear-projection TV market, it may not be possible to combine the upstream and downstream industry chains to promote cost reduction and seek more general market shares.

In the context of such a dispute, ice cores are just scraps from semiconductor foundries for the first time, and the financial interests involved in this aspect are not the key.

Fang Zhuo probably understood that Deyi didn't mind adding more weight in order to fight for the technical route. Well... I'm afraid this is also a battle that is difficult to win.

"Mr. Sun, I understand your purpose of coming and Deyi's purpose of coming."

"I am happy to accept Deyi's help, and I am very grateful to Mr. Sun for coming here."

"but……"

Fang Zhuo waved for a cup of coffee.

Sun Zhizhou couldn't help but feel a little nervous. He felt very stable before this trip. After actually contacting Mr. Fang, he found that he was not as anxious as he imagined. He even doubted that Mr. Fang had another way to open up national defense.

Both of their coffees were replaced.

"However, Texyi's conditions are a bit harsh." The turning point in Fang Zhuo's mouth was not that Sun Zhizhou imagined that it involved the Chinese TV company. He said slowly, "Texyi asked us to digest the backward production line equipment, which is too difficult."

"If ice core is to build a wafer fab, it must be close to the advanced level. Otherwise, why would it take so much trouble?"

"If the national defense really can't get permission, we will move to Berlin immediately, but it will only take a few months at night."

Sun Zhizhou shook his head and said: "Mr. Fang, I believe that relocating the factory is not an easy decision."

"Yes, of course we don't want to move, but the national defense is forcing us to move." Fang Zhuo said naturally, "By moving to Berlin, we can purchase the best equipment and introduce the best technology. By then, Berlin will be here With the example of the production line, the National Defense Department will definitely relax restrictions on us, so it’s not a bad idea to go back to China in this roundabout way.”

Sun Zhizhou stared at the young CEO in front of him: "Mr. Fang, you won't move easily."

He was shaken in his heart, but he still stuck to his original judgment.

Fang Zhuo nodded in agreement: "Mr. Sun, you are right. Of course it is not easy. Of course, we have to try various methods to obtain national defense approval. Of course, we try to put production into China where the investment promotion policy can best be used. However, just like you It’s the same as Deyi coming to me this time.”

"As far as I know, the development momentum of LCD is very strong, right?"

"TI will not give up on DLP easily. Of course, it will use its energy to strengthen its bargaining chip in the market and join forces with more companies to fight against the LCD alliance."

"Everyone is like this, they all have to do their best."

Fang Zhuo sighed: "It's just that there is a limit to this best effort. We at Bingxin consider ourselves to be doing things within the scope of normal business, but what we are encountering now are political factors. If we can't eliminate them, we can't just watch. Isn’t the ice core melting?”

Sun Zhizhou looked into the young CEO's sincere eyes, and there was a voice in his heart - why? Why do you think he is so sincere? Why do you think what he said is right?

"Mr. Sun, if Deyi is willing to help, I would be very grateful. As for wanting to sell high-priced second-hand equipment, this is not acceptable to me." Fang Zhuo first drew a line and continued, "But I believe in Deyi's strength and am willing to Let’s talk about cooperation on patent licensing and industry solutions.”

Sun Zhizhou frowned.

Fang Zhuo continued: "As for China's TV companies, I can try to help, but I'm not sure how much I can help."

Sun Zhizhou had a very confident judgment in this regard and said word for word: "Mr. Fang, I believe in the power of the richest man in mainland China, and I believe you will be able to help a lot."

Fang Zhuo pretended to think for a while and tapped his fingers on the table: "Well, since Deyi is sure to clear the national defense, let me see the sincerity. We will submit the application tomorrow."

He paused: "Also, we can talk to someone else about this cooperation."

The position of the deputy director of marketing is somewhat inconsistent, which is not very reassuring.

Sun Zhizhou was not angry because of these words, and quickly agreed: "Mr. Fang, this is a win-win situation. I believe there is a lot of room for cooperation between us. You will see Deyi's goodwill this time tomorrow. "

He stood up and shook hands.

Fang Zhuo shook hands, smiled at the waiting staff on the other side of Deyi, and said goodbye to them.

The calm Chairman Bingxin returned to the room as usual and made his first call to Ni Runfeng in China to inquire about the laboratory cooperation between Changhong and Deyi.

"Oh, Mr. Fang, we have a DLP laboratory with Deyi, and they even sent technicians over."

"However, considering Changhong's current warehouse inventory and the necessity and thoroughness of strategic transformation, this laboratory has been shut down. Changhong must fully embrace liquid crystal technology."

"As for Kang Jia, I really didn't pay attention."

Ni Runfeng replied.

The development momentum of LCD TV is very good. Konka may have taken the move due to the influence of Changhong's vigorous transformation, which in turn led to a chain reaction.

After all, the cost of DLP rear projection TVs is relatively high.

"What is the general attitude of domestic enterprises towards DLP?" Fang Zhuo asked.

Ni Runfeng said very honestly: "TI is willing to set up a laboratory and provide funds for technology, so we are naturally willing to cooperate. As for whether it is DLP or 3LCD, no one is sure. The share of domestic rear-projection TVs is not large."

"The attitude is, just a wallflower. Both sides should cooperate. DLP and 3LCD, the upstream patents are more occupied."

"Take Texas Instruments' DLP technology, for example. The key component involved is the digital micromirror chip, which is arranged on the chip. These patented technologies are controlled by Texas Instruments, and domestic companies have a hard time trying to break through."

"Based on my recent observations, everyone is indeed more willing to participate in the development of 3LCD."

"Although it is a rear-projection TV, 3LCD is as easy to develop as LCD, and is more friendly in terms of cost and technology."

Fang Zhuo felt that this fence-sitter's attitude was very real.

He thought for a while and asked, "Are there many companies engaged in rear-projection TVs in China?"

"Not a few, after all, high-end products have higher profits. Although they are not widely used now, it is possible that they will enter thousands of households in the future if they develop rapidly." Ni Runfeng replied, "Anyway, whether it is Texas Instruments' DLP or Epson's 3LCD, they are all engaged in technical cooperation. Everyone thinks that more technology is better than less."

Fang Zhuo pondered.

A few seconds later, Ni Runfeng said, "Oh, yes, for the technology of rear-projection TV, there will be a China International Audiovisual Integrated Equipment and Technology Exhibition in China at the end of the year, which will be held in Shanghai, followed by a technology exhibition by Texas Instruments and Epson."

"Okay, okay, Old Ni, I have to thank Changhong for this." Fang Zhuo briefly explained the situation and asked, "Since it is a rear-projection TV, can you get a few peers to work together to build a DLP laboratory or something like that?"

Ni Runfeng was a little embarrassed and said, "In the past few years, domestic TVs have been engaged in a price war. I wish I could take Changhong to kill all the other companies. This relationship is not easy."

Fang Zhuo thought about it and thought that since Texas Instruments came to him, it must be sure. This is an opportunity that cannot be missed.

The other party values ​​the so-called influence, so it would be difficult to explain if it does not give some results. At least it can give this DLP a short-term boost.

"Old Ni, why don't you contact them?" Fang Zhuo said slowly, "There are only a few large domestic TV companies. You can take the lead and I will get to know them."

"Well, you can help me spread the word. Show some support this time. We will all be friends in the future."

"I'll find the leaders and make something happen."

Ni Runfeng was very happy: "Mr. Fang, Changhong has no problem with it. I can help pass the message. Let's see what they say first and communicate in time."

Fang Zhuo felt relieved and ended the call.

He made the second call to the Bingxin procurement team and asked them to evaluate the patent licensing and semiconductor production line solutions that Texas Instruments might provide. This part was also included in the procurement list before, and now they can consider giving it to Texas Instruments, even if the price is higher.

As for the second-hand equipment of Texas Instruments' wafer factory, it is also within the scope of discussion, and we can discuss it later.

This opportunity should not be missed. Texas Instruments can easily get money and face. It wants enterprises to embrace it and rear-projection TVs, and it will try its best to make it beautiful. At least, it must look good on the surface.