[Today Online]
Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, the world’s two biggest TV makers, want to widen their lead over Japanese rivals by using new display technology in 55-inch sets thinner than Apple’s iPad.
The South Korean companies are developing Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) televisions that are as thin as 4 millimeters and produce images 200 times sharper than current liquid-crystal-display models. Both plan to start selling OLED sets as early as this year, while Sony and Panasonic have not set target dates for introducing them. …
Shipments of OLED TVs may grow to 2.1 million sets in 2015 from 34,000 in 2012, according to Englewood, Colorado-based IHS’ iSuppli.
Using organically glowing materials, OLED TVs do not require separate backlights and can be half the thickness of Apple’s iPad 2, which measures 8.8 millimeters. The technology, already used in mobile devices including Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones, uses less power than LCD and has a higher contrast rate, creating more vivid images.
Suwon, South Korea-based Samsung and Seoul-based LG showed 55-inch (140-centimeter) sets at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January. LG’s prototype was 4 millimeters thick, while Samsung declined to discuss dimensions. Both sets have 3D and Internet capabilities. …
A 55-inch OLED set will be priced at about US$8,000 in 2012, more than twice the US$3,700 average for an equivalent LCD set, according to iSuppli. Although the price may fall to about US$4,000 next year, comparable LCD models may cost less than US$2,000 by then, Mr Jakhanwal said. …
See the full story here: http://www.todayonline.com/TechandDigital/Digital/EDC120311-0000048/Samsung-and-LG-to-develop-TVs-thinner-than-the-iPad