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