| CRT or tube television suited the needs of viewers for | | | | flatter screen. |
| several decades. Plasma and LCD came along in | | | | An SED television is said to have a long working life, |
| more recent years competing for the affections of | | | | with only a 10% reduction in emitters after 60,000 |
| television buyers. These newer entrants on the market | | | | hours. They use significantly less power than traditional |
| offer a slim design and the ability to enjoy a theater | | | | LCD and plasma screens and possess excellent |
| like experience with enormous screens that don't | | | | contrast ratio and brightness. Unlike LCD, an SED |
| require an entire room for set up. | | | | television does not experience lag (blurring during fast |
| For the millions of consumers still holding out on | | | | action scenes) and provides a 180 degree viewing |
| purchasing a new plasma or LCD television despite | | | | angle. Like early plasma sets however, an SED |
| their falling prices over the past couple of years, there | | | | television may be at risk for burn in. |
| will of course be other technologies evolve in the not | | | | Laser based Television |
| so distant future to further complicate the decision | | | | Mitsubishi may be unveiling its new laser based HDTV |
| when selecting a new set. Becoming acquainted with | | | | models by the end of the year. |
| at least the names of a few of the technologies on | | | | The television is a slimmed down rear projection model |
| the horizon may help prepare buyers for what is sure | | | | that will reportedly rival the space saving design of |
| to follow in a crowded marketplace. | | | | plasma and LCD screens. Said to be only 10" deep |
| OLED | | | | they should not be too imposing in any room. It is also |
| OLED is the acronym for organic light-emitting diode. | | | | anticipated that they will be lighter in weight, due in part |
| The technology was originally developed years ago by | | | | to their lightweight plastic screen versus traditional |
| Eastman Kodak and is used for both light sources and | | | | glass. |
| television. Sony is one of several companies hoping to | | | | According to the manufacturer, other attractive |
| bring this technology to market. Images are produced | | | | features include improvements in picture quality. These |
| via the electro-phosphorescent properties of certain | | | | sets are said to offer better color content and blacker |
| organic materials. No back light is required in an OLED | | | | blacks than current technologies. In addition, this new |
| television. In addition to television, OLED may be used | | | | laser based television reportedly consumes significantly |
| on small screens such as on cell phones, MP3 players, | | | | less power and is expected to be priced well below |
| and digital cameras. | | | | that of similarly sized plasma or LCD screens. |
| An OLED television (active matrix) will use less power | | | | FED |
| than the average LCD television. They offer a superior | | | | Another potential leader for the future is FED (field |
| range of color and brightness as well as a wider | | | | emission display). Sony is currently behind the FED |
| viewing angle. These televisions are lighter weight, | | | | push. |
| thinner, and yet more durable. The most significant | | | | FED television is said to operate more like a CRT set |
| drawback to an OLED television in this early phase is | | | | but offers the flatter, thinner display like LCD and |
| their lifetime. The longevity of some of the LEDs (the | | | | plasma. They use a more efficient emitter (carbon |
| blue component) is only 3,000 to 5,000 hours at this | | | | nanotubes) and can therefore create a higher |
| time. Once manufacturing technology advances are | | | | resolution picture than an LCD, use significantly less |
| made, it is anticipated that OLED televisions will have a | | | | power than a plasma, and display fast motion without |
| much more competitive lifespan. | | | | blurring. |
| SED | | | | The good news of course is that the evolution of |
| SED is a surface conduction electron-emitter display, a | | | | television technologies should present some options |
| technology reportedly being pursued primarily by | | | | that offer outstanding viewing and yet are affordable |
| Toshiba and Canon. SED uses an electron emitter for | | | | for the average consumer. Only time will tell which |
| each subpixel to light up the phosphors in the display | | | | technologies will actually reach the market and |
| and operates similarly to a CRT display. Unlike a CRT | | | | whether or not actual performance will match current |
| television however, SED provides a much thinner and | | | | expectations. |