OLED seems to be thought of as the future of TVs. Panasonic certainly thinks OLED is the way to go when it comes to developing future TV technologies.

Panasonic plans on mass-producing OLED TVs over 30 inches in three years.

Is this a good move by Panasonic? Is OLED the future of the television industry?

I haven’t really been wowed by OLED prototypes so far. Yes they’re thin… except for the ugly base that accompanies most prototypes so far. As an integrator, I’m looking for products which are, a) available now, b) dependable, c) affordable… so far, OLED is none of these.

And as far as Panasonic’s claim to produce OLED TVs over 30” in three years… well, that’s great, but I can’t even imagine the improvements that LCD will make in those same 3 years. Has anyone seen the 7000 series Samsung? They’re incredibly thin, they look great, and best of all… I can actually get my hands on them.

Will I keep my eye on OLED? Sure, just as I will keep my eye on Laser TV technology. But it’s going to take something big to sway me from tried and true technologies which I can put in a home today, and not worry if they’re going to work.

Doesn’t look like OLED will be taking off anytime soon. Sony is pulling the plug on the technology in Japan.

Sony cites sluggish demand, which must have been mainly due to price.

Read: Sony Stops Selling OLED TVs in Japan

The promise of OLED technology in my mind has always been projector replacement more than flat panel competition.

I’m not sure a thinner flat panel even matters now.  With the thin LED backlit devices, the gains are minimal.

OLED as a front pro replacement though has a lot of merits.  If they can manufacture OLED in roll out sheets (It is a film) and include rackmount a box to give it the signal, then you have something.  No more projectors or bulbs.  No more ambient light or contrast concerns.  just a mm thick film on the wall, electrified to produce vivid colors in a large scale format with very little power consumption. 

Panasonic should look at the Runco/DPI $30-50k projector market and use that as their target.  150” diagonal OLED with Video Processor for $40k would be a killer piece of competition in that arena.

Just dreaming. . .