If you saw the coverage of, or were 
lucky enough to attend, CES 2012, you will have heard about the newest thing to hit the TV market: OLED screens. Now what’s all the hype about? Well here’s a breakdown of OLED screens and their future.
- What’s difference between LED and OLED?
LED (Light-Emitting Diode) is the current technology being used in big screen TVs. The TV contains a LCD screen and needs a backlight to control the brightness of the TV. OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) contains a carbon film between the semiconductors (hence the ‘Organic’ in the name) and this helps the TV create its own light when electricity passes through.
- So which is better?
OLED is much better than LED or LCD. It is much thinner and can make brighter colours and much better contrast, meaning ultra dark black and super clear white. With OLED there is also no motion blur, like in some LCD and LED TVs.
- Price?
While the technology has only recently been debuted, most experts believe the price will be between R40 000 and R60 000 rand for the big 55 inch TVs. This big price will also mean that current LCD and LED TV prices will drop dramatically.
- The alternative to OLED
Sony recently announced that it’s working on new technology that it claims can produce better quality images than OLED. This tech is called ‘Crystal LED’. This TV uses micro LED paved in front of the colour producing pixel. This technology is currently being tested, but only time will tell if it will take off. For now OLED looks like it’s here to stay.
- What else can OLED do?
OLED technology is currently being refined and Samsung recently showed the future of this by releasing a completely transparent OLED screen. Sony also showed it’s prototype of a flexible OLED screen. What this means is that in future, TVs will be completely transparent and can be put in front of a window and not block the light from coming through when it’s off. TVs will also be so flexible and light that you will be able to roll them up and take them with you wherever you go.
OLED seems to be the future of TV technology, so it’s time to start saving up, because when the big companies start releasing their super thin TVs, you are going to want one.
(This is a post by our intern Kristian Meijer)
(Image by PopCultureGeek.com, CC by 2.0, via Flickr)
