Sony to invest $203 million in OLED

[radagast]

"Sony said on Tuesday it will spend 22 billion yen ($203.5 million) to develop technology to make medium to large organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels.

Sony launched the world's first TV using such panels in November at a price of 200,000 yen. Just 3 mm thick, the new TV consumes 40 percent less power than a comparable LCD set and is suitable for watching fast-moving images such as sports programs because of its quick response time. It also offers bright colors and a wide viewing angle. Sony's 11-inch XEL-1 OLED TV is currently sold in Japan for about 200,000 yen (US $1850) and it is expected to retail in the U.S. this year.

OLED displays use organic, or carbon-containing, compounds that emit light when electricity is applied. Unlike liquid crystal display panels they do not need backlighting, making OLED TVs slimmer and more energy-efficient. However, they still have a product life less than existing LCD TVs.

The absence of the backlight in OLEDs makes them much lighter and extremely thin compared to LCDs, which tend to be large due to the presence of these backlights. In addition, reduced power consumption also makes OLEDs superior to LCDs, which require more power due to the backlight of the display module. Being emissive in nature, OLEDs offer significant power-saving capabilities that reduce the long-term application costs.

Samsung SDI Co is also engaged in the production of OLED displays for Tvs. The S.Korean company showcased a 31-inch OLED TV at CES 2008. Samsung has been sharing patents related to the OLED display patents with Sony since 2004, when the Korean company signed a cross-license agreement.

Samsung has also recently announced that it would double monthly output capacity of active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AM-OLED) displays to 3 million units by 2008 from 1.5 million now. The company claims that it has the technological ability to produce 40-inch AM OLEDs, but mass production is schedulled in 2010, when the investments in the new technology will allow Samsung to offer the TVs at lower retail prices.

OLEDs are expected to face strong competition from LCDs. Although the performance benefits of OLEDs surpass LCDs, the decreasing cost of LCDs remains a key factor constraining the industry. The best strategy to overcome this will be the development of applications where OLEDs and LCDs can coexist, for example, in the backlight of an LCD panel. To establish a significant market presence, OLED manufacturers should build on energy efficiency, improve resolutions and boost OLED life cycles. "

http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/News...x?NewsId=22815

[Blu n Gold]

I know I am excited to get Sony's 11" non-HD OLED at $2500.

[xtop]

good..ramp those up fast sony. psp2 needs an oled touch screen

[dobyblue]

There's definitely a long way to go, but within a few CES' I'm sure everyone will be a lot more excited about what's coming from OLED.

[Greekboy]

I can't wait to see what sony is going to be pulling out with OLED. There is always such big hype around them. Can't wait to set my eyes on one for the first time

[coolmilo]

I am sold on OLED after seeing a demo at Sony Style. Now if they would only make a 46" plus OLED TV for the price of a competing LCD, I would gladly replace my XBR4.

[david2189]

32" please

[Kuraudo]

Sony ruling the world with the best displays yet again!

Best CRt: Trinitron
Best LCD: Bravia Xbr4
Best game Console: Playstation
Best overall flat panel: OLED

Unstoppable!

[DaViD Boulet]

I know I am excited to get Sony's 11" non-HD OLED at $2500.

Every technology hits the ground somewhere when it launches, and LCD and Plasma weren't HD either when they first appeared... and cost even more.

[SkillzthatKillz]

^ the 11 inch OLED has the same pixel density as a 40 inch 1080p LCD TV

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921644539854

[DaViD Boulet]

That's great... attaining 1080p is just a matter of increasing to 40 using the same physical structure.

[Xerios]

Originally Posted by DaViD Boulet

Every technology hits the ground somewhere when it launches, and LCD and Plasma weren't HD either when they first appeared... and cost even more.

yeh i remember 12,000 dollar plasmas when they first were out at the consumer level so young and silly back then

[bigred7078]

Originally Posted by Xerios

yeh i remember 12,000 dollar plasmas when they first were out at the consumer level so young and silly back then

$12,000...hell i remember the $25,000 pioneers.

[TRIGON]

Sounds like OLED is at least 5 years away from making a dent in the home theater market. I've seen the 11 inch and its pretty sweet but they will need to make 40 in and bigger to compete. Like any new technology it will just take time...

[Beta Man]

also.... what some may fail to realize, is that rear projection LCDs were introduced to offer a high quality image, at larger sizes, while still being 'affordable' .

I think the prospect of having rear and front projection OLEDs is very promising. Obviously this negates a couple of the huge benefits, being lightweight, and super thin..... but you could still have great definition, and amazing color reproduction with a rear/front projection OLED.

[syncguy]

Originally Posted by Kuraudo

Sony ruling the world with the best displays yet again!

Best CRt: Trinitron
Best LCD: Bravia Xbr4
Best game Console: Playstation
Best overall flat panel: OLED

Unstoppable!

Based on my experience, Sony is a reliable brand as well.

[syncguy]

Originally Posted by SkillzthatKillz

^ the 11 inch OLED has the same pixel density as a 40 inch 1080p LCD TV

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921644539854

It is okay for short range desktop applications - should have been bit larger and 1080p. Nevertheless, it is a good start...