[ Outline ] · Standard · Linear+ Seiko Epson unveils first 40" colour OLED display, High-Res / High-Def / Quick response

[mcelb1200]

Seiko Epson Corporation ("Epson") today announced that it has used its original inkjet printing technology to successfully develop the world's first large-screen (40-inch) full-color organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display prototype.

Self-luminescent OLED displays, which offer outstanding viewing characteristics, including high contrast, wide viewing angle, and fast response times, are widely seen as the leading candidate for the next generation of thin, lightweight displays. One of the major obstacles to their realization, however, has been the perceived difficulty of forming organic layers on large-sized TFT (thin film transistor) substrates. Thus the question of when fabrication processes for large-sized OLED flat panel displays would become technically feasible had been anyone's guess.

http://www.epson.co.jp/e/newsroom/news_2004_05_18.htm


TOKYO, May 18 (Reuters) - Japan's Seiko Epson Corp said on Tuesday that it has developed the world's first full-colour 40-inch display using organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology, heating up competition for next-generation screens.

http://www.forbes.com/business/businesstec...rtr1374939.html

Sounds like we might have some gamer-friendly thin/flat-screens (OLED) soon!

[mcelb1200]

Twine the main problem with LCDs is their poor refresh times leading to blurring and ghosting on fast moving pictures (read games and movies). Refresh rates are linked to a number of factors including the quality of the panel used. For a comparison of the different types of technologies used in LCD panels check out Toms Hardware (Comparison Of 15" LCD Monitors Pt1).

Refresh rates traditionally come in at 25ms or above (v.bad for gaming, ok for word processing only); 20ms, 16ms, and BenQ and Samsung have just released 12ms models. Check out a *(slightly negative)* review at Toms Hardware (High-End LCD: Samsung and BenQ).

In short dude, you're not being lied to. Colour depth and contrast are traditionally not equivalent to the industry standard Sony Trinitron CRT's (21"+ models are now no longer being manufactured btw). This is because LCDs are illuminated from a backlight rather than the phosphors on a CRT self-illuminating. Each subpixel polarises or depolarises to allow the light from the backlight through the colour filter to compose a pixel and ultimately a picture.

There's also an issue of dead pixels. Basically, depending on the manufacturer's policy. The problem arises when one of the subpixels get stuck on or off, always presenting a dark spot or a bright spot which can be quite annoying. Manufacturers often claim these are unimportant so won't replace the screen under warranty until a certain number of pixels have died. In short, if you're buying a LCD always check the manufacturers dead-pixel policy.

So yeah, they look nice and thin, are really handy to move around, but if you're into hardcore twitch gaming you need either a 16ms or 12ms model and to get one of those you're going to spend mega-cash. If you're just a home-body gamer, pick up a nice 19" CRT and enjoy playing on that until prices of 12ms panels drop to a more reasonable rate.

Cheers.