Of all the consumer electronics technologies that have advanced in the last 20 years, from computers to music to game consoles - televisions seem to have come farther than all of them in such a short time. After being saddled with CRTs for over half a century, most of them went from a 19-inch tube TV to massive home theater systems centered around some kind of huge LCD TV or plasma flat screen TV. Now be prepared to take the next step in the fast evolving segment of televisions with OLED televisions coming soon.
In this Tech Tip we are going to look at five reasons why OLED will be the next big thing in TVs.
Reason 1 - they are so darn thin and light!
In Ray Bradbury’s science fiction novel, Fahrenheit 451, one of the featured items in people’s homes was the Parlor TV. Thanks to OLED technology, one day in the near future we may well see real examples of the Parlor TV. For example, when the OLED 55-inch TV (the LG 55EM9600) goes on sale later this year, it promises to be a flat screen unlike the flat screens that we’ve been use to for the last few years. Coming in at just 4 millimeters thick and weighing in at around 16 pounds, it could be a real winner for the folks looking to go for a thin and light set.
While LCD based TVs have been getting thinner and lighter in the last few years, this promises to be a game changer.
Reason 2 - just look at those colors!
OLEDs not only deliver on being thin and light, but they also have outstanding color. Anyone with an AMOLED display on a cell phone knows what kind of vibrant color OLEDs can deliver. Now imaging that on a big screen TV! OLED technology gives better viewing angles and improved brightness, so when viewed from the side the colors do NOT wash out and the picture stays vibrant.
Reason 3 - panel intangibles
One of the dictionary’s definition for intangible is “not definite or clear to the mind. ” By intangibles with OLED-based TVs, I am talking about some of the more “geeky” aspects that may not be so readily apparent, but overall, greatly enhance the viewing quality of watching your favorite movie on an OLED TV. For example, the “response times” for OLED TVs are almost negligible; what this means to you is that you have a large decrease in the blur in action scenes. Also, the refresh rate shoots way beyond what we are used to - that means is more lifelike reproduction. In addition, the contrast ratio and brightness are much better than what may be found on the current generation of televisions. The result is a nicer, brighter picture all around.
Reason 4 - the energy factor.
OLED-based panels do not rely on a backlight to “light up” the picture like panels of today - which means that OLED TV’s are better and more efficient in their use of power. It also means deeper “blacks” for the image (instead if the “greyish blacks” that many of us with LCDs are used to). The “green” TVs of the future will be based on OLED televisions.
Reason 5 - the future looks bright!
There are many reasons that OLED televisions are tomorrow’s technology today, but the future looks even brighter. True with any new technology hitting the market for the first time, the first OLED televisions will be expensive (similar to how the first 4K TVs are expensive - just as when the first plasma TVs and then LCD TVs came up for sale) but as production gears up, the costs are sure to go down. In addition, some of the exciting aspects that have already been demonstrated with OLED screens (such as screens being thinner than paper or screens that can be rolled up like a newspaper) will become more and more common sights as this technology really takes off. Imagine being able to “tape up” a TV on the wall at a friend’s house, like a poster, and then taking it down, rolling it up and taking it home.
All this can be a reality with OLED technology!
In conclusion
OLED TVs are on their way! Just as the last few years in TVs have been exciting with the migration away from old fashioned tube-based televisions, the future change to OLED (as well as super high resolution 4K TVs) promises to make the near future even more exciting for those who want the ultimate in home entertainment!
