The clouds are looming over the market of LCD-TVs. Not long ago, a new model of “plasma” defied the unbridled rule of the LCD in a recess to 42 “. Now there’s a new, more serious competitor – OLED.
Until recently, LCD-TVs at the expense of cheaper production cheeky won the sympathy of buyers. To measure the characteristics of LCD can only, in some way, “plasma” – a combination of size / resolution / image quality could still provide the user with only this. And then, for screens over 42 “. Produce plasma panels smaller size was simply economically unfeasible. Now the problem is generally solved.
Worst of all for the LCD, that the market appeared much more serious player – already have a functioning prototype that can give a hundred points the odds of any commercially available TV technologies.
OLED (Organic Light Emitting Display) rude, but just translated as “organic light emitting display. OLED-screen consists of several thin layers of organic polymers, compressed like a hamburger stuffing cathode and anode – a combination of two transparent or translucent and opaque panels. Display Properties are such that, at a rather small (3-5 mm) thick, he is able to give a bright saturated color, depending on the type of organic “stuffing” – monochrome or color.
Already applied
In the OLED, like almost any of all the “new” technology in fact there is almost nothing new. Most technical patents for decades owned zhadnovatye multinational companies wishing to either sell at exorbitant prices to each other license to manufacture, or in general to reserve a particular “flavor” for the time being. So in the case of OLED - important patents in this area owned by Eastman Kodak and several other firms. However, solutions found and accepted. The intention in the near future to begin production of OLED-panels have several companies.
It would be wrong to think that OLED-technology is only applicable to flat panels. It has been used for quite some time. Until recently, only small screens – media players, PDAs, mobile phones, etc. For example, Motorola has equipped such displays almost all the “colored” phones. In addition, the technology is perfectly suited to replace conventional and fluorescent lamps. Monochrome OLED-panel used for lighting is much more economical and promising conventional light sources.
“For” and vice versa
Good:
* OLED is much more economical than even known for their low power LCD;
* New displays offer bright, sharp image. For example, contrast with the recently announced TV Sony – 1000000:1 (a million to one). At the same time, what little “plasma or LCD could overstep the mark in 10000:1. In fact, indicators of competitors in the mass, even more modest;
* Y OLED-panels are very large viewing angles, in fact – up to 180 degrees both vertically and horizontally. As is known, small-angle view – one of the main problems of LCD;
* Absence (unlike LCD) the need for backlighting can save considerably on the thickness of the panel. 3-5 mm – a very real value for the OLED. On indicators such modern TVs can not even dream;
* Production of OLED in the future will cost very cheap. Now gaining popularity technology to “print” OLED-Displays on principles similar to that used in inkjet printers. It is important that this technology will allow in the future to create displays that can be collapse into a tube, or even print on fabric for clothing.
Bad:
* Price. How hard would not exploit cheap labor TNCs diligent Chinese production is still cost a pretty penny. Although, in recent years succeeded in significantly reducing the cost;
* Durability. Specifically, short-lived. Any organics is very sensitive to any external influence. No sooner do you want to buy an expensive TV with a resource of 5000 hours and throw it away after a couple months of use. However, in some versions OLED time work brought up to 20000 hours and above. By the way, LCD resource on average more than 60000 hours, and similar results for “plasma”;
* Has the above-mentioned difficulties with patents and licensing. Mass dissemination of OLED-technology as they can harm the rights holders.
However, progress has not stopped. Today, there are a huge number of technologies based on OLED - each with its own specifications, price and scope. Manufacturing companies are lining up at the beginning of sales. First robin here was Sony, which already in 2007 promised to begin selling 11 “TVs. A little later, is scheduled to start production and 27″ models with HD-resolution.
In 2008, ready to begin shipments of flat panels based on OLED Japan’s Sumitomo Chemical, in 2009 – throw the market their products by Toshiba and etc. In short, OLED-hunger is not forthcoming.
It is strange to realize, but we already live in the future. Tom most of which have recently seen hundred million blockbusters. An integral part of it – TVs in 3 mm thick. Their appearance – a matter of time. Quite a short period of long couple of months.
