What You Need To Know About OLED Televisions
Whilst OLED televisions have been under development for some time now, it is only recently that talk of them has entered wider public awareness. There seems to be an awful lot of excitement about the developments, particularly at the increasing number of trade fairs and industry shows around the world. But is it warranted?
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 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.
This also allows the screen to be extremely resistant to damage and scratching; ideal for televisions and many other applications such as advertising boards, cell phones and a new concept in interactive printed media. The screens are also extremely thin, the thinnest out there reputed to be just three millimetres in depth.
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.
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.
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.
It is still a relatively young technology though; with a lot of advancements yet to be made. The price will of course fall as demand picks up, the technology really becomes commercially viable and life span is improved.
In conclusion, OLED televisions are a very exciting development in the next generation of TV technology. The bandwagon just keeps on rolling on, the energy consumed is lower, but the quality of picture received greater, this all but cements the success of the products in years to come.
