Firstly it is important to discuss just what OLED means. Standing for Organic Light Emitting Diode, these diodes give off their light in a different way than what has gone before. Its predecessors came in the form of LCD (liquid crystal display) and LED (Light Emitting Diode) television screens. The screen is made up of several conducting layers which emit light through an organic process; thus a backlighting function is not required.
This allows far richer and deeper colors to be produced. Indicative of this is the reproduction of “true” black; essentially the same black seen in nature. This is fundamental to the industry, as the quality of black produced defines the quality of the complete imagery.
This is just the start of where the next generation in TV comes in however. Because the screen itself produces the light, there is no need for separate technology to be built into the unit. Resultantly, a thinner screen is produced, whilst they can be manipulated into a host of different shapes.
The screens are also virtually indestructible, so could easily be turned to other uses such as; billboards that curve round corners or clam shell cell phones that are entirely made up of a touch-screen. This is for the future though; presently the major benefit is in TV screens that are up three millimetres in thickness!
There are of course negatives to the concept. Most notable of all is that scientists are yet unable to produce a screen size that can match those produced by regular LED screens. The biggest dimensions available may only be fifteen inches, but the picture is simply stunning, and the look and style equal to this.
Other than screen size, the obvious downside when looking for OLED televisions is the price. You can expect to pay a minimum of two thousand five hundred dollars for a screen size of just eleven inches. For that amount you can get a good quality forty inch (and upwards) LCD screen, so this puts it beyond the reach of most.
Another downside to an OLED televisions is the short life span which, will also be a concern; particularly when countered against the price, (though the unit themselves use much less power than LCDs and LEDs and so this counter balances this to some extent). Also at the moment availability is not widespread either.
These are facts though; not in any way criticisms. New technology always has problems to resolve. New technology also commands a higher price; not just to repay development costs, but also as somewhat of a status symbol of course. As the market settles, costs will come down, and the shortcomings resolved; humans are quite good at that!
OLED televisions are a fantastic new concept, and such is the uptake by the big players in the electronics manufacturing, it is only a matter of time before the war starts between LED and OLED in earnest. I for one cannot wait; bring it on!
Jimmy Tyrrell writes about OLED Television and Sony OLED TV
