Mar 16 Podcast #522: Crystal LED HDTV Technology
It was pretty clear that the OLED TVs demonstrated by LG and Samsung stole the show at the last Consumer Electronics Show we went to. We were really impressed by the color, contrast and sharpness of the picture. Check out this video we shot in the Samsung booth (Samsung Super OLED HDTV). However, there are some issues that need to be resolved before we see mainstream OLED HDTVs in sizes that we would want in our living rooms.
| Download this Episode. |
Netgear NeoTV Streaming Player (NTV200) $49.99 Available through the Amazon and the HT Guys Store (Buy Now)
Check out our Netgear NeoTV Giveaway!
Listen to the show
Today's Show:
Blu-ray Reviews:
News:
- Pandora internet radio arrives on web-connected DirecTV HD DVRs
- Walmart Wants to Be Your Movie Cloud
- Survey: Networked homes prepare for the sound of music
- Dolby Relevant in Non-Physical Media World
Other:
- Netgear NeoTV Streaming Player (NTV200) $49.99
- Home Theater Cruise
- Panasonic VT50 65" for $2,729.99
- 'Terra Nova': Netflix Could Save Canceled Spielberg Drama
- Wireless Surround Solution: Soundcast SCS100 SurroundCast System
- kylo Web Browser
- Kaleidescape to Appeal Court Ruling Against DVD Servers
- Top 10 Rated HDTVs 2012
Amazon Prime:
Sign up for Amazon Prime and enjoy:
- Free Two Day Shipping!
- Instant Streaming of TV Shows and Movies
- Instant Access to thousands of Kindle Books
- The HT Guys gratitude!
Crystal LED HDTV Technology
It was pretty clear that the OLED TVs demonstrated by LG and Samsung stole the show at the last Consumer Electronics Show we went to. We were really impressed by the color, contrast and sharpness of the picture. Check out this video we shot in the Samsung booth (Samsung Super OLED HDTV). However, there are some issues that need to be resolved before we see mainstream OLED HDTVs in sizes that we would want in our living rooms.
Rather than go with an OLED TV, Sony displayed a technology called Crystal LED. Crystal LED takes six million tiny LEDs to create a picture that they hope will rival OLED technology. A 1080P TV has nearly 2 million pixels on screen. Crystal LEDs TVs take three LEDs, one for red, green, and blue, and combine them for each pixel. Each pixel is mounted directly in front of the display. This is not an LED based LCD but an actual LED TV.
On paper this technology has a ton of potential. For instance, like plasma, each individual pixel can be controlled. This should provided blacks that can rival plasma and OLED. Another benefit for the technology is that a Crystal LED will use far less energy, 70 watts for a 55 inch screen. Crystal LED TVs produces a picture with viewing angles of 180 degrees, high contrast ratios, and better color than current plasma and LCD HDTVs.
The version that we saw in Las Vegas looked quite impressive. One of the things that stuck us was that there was minimal reflection. That is another drawback of plasmas. We left the Sony booth thinking we could have our cake and eat it too!.
The concept isn't new. Those really large screens that you see at stadiums use this type of technology to do the same thing. Its much easier to do this on a large screen when you are sitting tens or hundreds of meters away. The key for Sony is that they are shrinking the size of the LEDs down dramatically so that they can fit six million of them into a screen that would fit in your family room. That process is complex and costly. Sony wants to get this right. With six million LEDs there will be a higher chance of having a dead pixel.
Cost and Availability
So when can I have one and how much will it cost? Sony isn’t answering any of these questions. Our hunch is that it will cost about what an OLED TV will cost. And if Sony wants this technology to have a chance it needs to come out at about the same time as OLED. We know that Samsung will be releasing their OLEDs in the second half of the year. Our prediction is that you will be able to by a Crystal LED TV from Sony by the summer of 2013 and it will run about $6,000.
Reader Comments (3)
Comment to Ara:
I think you should give "kid movie" blu-rays a chance. In my experience, many of the recent animated movies aimed at children are standard bearers of video and sound quality. Just looking at the blu-ray reviews on this site.
Kung Fu Panda 2: Video/Sound 5/5
Hugo: 5/4.5
Puss in Boots: 5/4.5
These new Crystal LED TVs should be able to be mounted out side and be able to be seen clearly just like a current LED sign display. If that is the case they should sell like hotcakes.
Current external LED displays are ridiculously expensive and difficult to control. It should shake up the sign market. I for one am looking forward to test them outside.
Backups - Crashplan is a good option too. I thought Carbonite was a little too pricey.