Before discussing the benefits of OLED televisions, it is worth spending a little time trying to understand the tech. Rather than using a screen that reflects light to produce an image, (as with LCDs and LEDs), the layers of compounds that make up the screen emit light themselves.
This is of course a significant advantage for OLED televisions. The quest has always been to find the perfect black color, (which essentially controls viewing clarity), with this; a true black color is delivered to the viewer.
The advantages to be gained continue with the slimness that can be achieved with the screens; the slimmest of which is currently just 3mm. With no need to create a casing for the lights anymore, screens can also be moulded to suit practically any shape and curve.
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!
It is in the lack of screen size where OLED televisions are yet to make a huge impression though; with the biggest being limited to just fifteen inches on the diagonal. Whilst this is small in comparison to existing LED and LCD screens, the resolution is not diminished and the picture quality is the best you can get. Being so svelte too; they are beautiful things to behold.
Then of course there is the issue with pricing. The biggest screen widely available is a mere eleven inches across the diagonal, and is priced at an eye watering two thousand five hundred dollars. Considering a nineteen inch LCD screen can be bought for little over a hundred and fifty bucks, highlights the challenge still faced in this area.
OLED televisions are also affected by a relatively short life span; and this is in direct comparison to the extended lifespan of LED TVs of course. The availability is not too widespread either; which in itself maintains the high pricing of course.
Being such a recent release to the market, perhaps these shortcomings are to be expected. We know from experience in the plasma vs. LCD war that prices are forced down by competition, demand, knowledge and viability. The three leading names in television technology are now running with this new stream, so it will be quite a rapid succession; it can be confidently predicted.
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 TVs and OLED televisions
