Dear Ms Connected,

I know about plasmas and LCDs. But what is an OLED television?

Cathy N., Wanniassa, ACT

Dear Cathy,

Sony unveiled this three-millimetre-thick OLED TV at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

OLED is short for organic light-emitting diode (OLED). This is a new technology being used in the manufacture of electronic display screens.

The science behind it is quite complex, but in simple terms, an OLED is a collection of organic polymers that emits light when exposed to a relatively small amount of electric current.

I mention these characteristics, in particular, because they represent the main points of difference between OLED and today’s predominant display technologies, LCD and plasma. While OLEDs are “self-emissive”, LCD requires a back light; and while plasma works with no back light, it still tends to be bulkier than OLED, and is also reputed to use significantly more power.

So what does all this mean in practical terms? The thing that gets people most excited about OLED televisions is their tiny, tiny waist size. At the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show, staged last January in Las Vegas, Sony unveiled an OLED television that was just three millimetres thick. The energy efficiency is, of course, a worthy bonus.

Before you get excited, I need to point out that OLED technology is a long way from becoming mainstream. While it’s popping up in small-screen applications such as mobile phones and digital cameras, television manufacturers are still perfecting OLED’s integration into the large screen sizes that today’s public demands. The Sony OLED TV just mentioned has a screen size of only 11 inches, yet costs a whopping US $2500.

My own feeling about OLED technology is that it’s definitely one to watch, but probably not in your lounge room – at least for a few years yet.

Yours in simplified technology,

Ms Connected

For her contribution to Ms Connected, Cathy has won a ViewSonic digital photo frame valued at $199. Send your question to msconnected@connectedaustralia.com.

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