Bonzai: Thoughts and Expressions

Plasma Killer?

Like many others out there, I have been watching and waiting for flat panel TV/monitor technology to come down in price to a point where it makes some sense to take the plunge into the world of “high definition” viewing pleasure. I understand there are MANY other issues besides picture quality to consider, but when it comes to picture quality, there is going to be a new player in town very soon.

Toshiba has announced a cool technology they refer to as “Surface-conduction Electron-emitter Display” or “SED” for short. So what, right? Another technology that will confuse everyone again? Well, maybe, but I sort of doubt it this time.

Ok, I’m going to get a little technical here but I’ll try to keep it light. Current plasma technology is probably the best when it comes to “contrast ratio”. Contrast ratio is a measurement on how ‘black’ the ‘black’ really is. Why is this important? This is what allows for those deep and vivid picture differences and helps some images appear to just leap off the screen. Plasma currently runs at roughly 3000:1. The prototype monitors for the new Toshiba SEDs were measured at 10,000:1 and the final production monitors will have a value of 100,000:1! Whoa!

With the exception of a current Sony TV, most plasma & LCD monitors have a resolution of 720p, which is a measurement of how clear and precise the picture is. The SED TV/monitors will ship with a standard resolution of 1080p. With such high contrast and resolution, the visuals should be stunning!

The entry size of this awesome technology will be a 55” screen. Woohoo!!! When asked about the cost of this new technology, the Toshiba reps were mum on a consumer price. Other areas reporting on this emerging technology have speculated that “it can be mass produced on a cheaper scale than competing plasma or LCD televisions”. Based on information available to date, you can expect these TVs to hit the shelves sometime late 2006. I can hardly wait!

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posted by Bonzai @ 4:47 PM