What Are The Advantages Of OLED Televisions?

By Jimmy Tyrrell

Over the last eighteen to twenty four months, anyone looking at buying a new television would have most likely come across chat about OLED televisions. The latest advancement in TV technology, it has been spoken about with the industry for quite some time before this. However, finding out exactly how and why it is said to be such an exciting progression can be tricky.

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.

However what the screen "lacks" in depth, it also certainly LACKS in size. Presently, the biggest screen made, (and shown to the public), is a rather small fifteen inches. However, despite this, resolution and contrast are amazing.

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.

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! - 29872

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