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Again I have said this before, and I would say this again. LCD's are too expensive to buy and to expensive to own (though compared to CRT they still use less power). But with the advent of newer and cheaper technologies, why isn't there such a push to get these products developed. (Oh wait the consortium that was formed to push LCD technologies might be a reason for this) There is many other technologies coming to the market place in the next few years, such as TDEL (http://www.ifire.com/ warning flash heavy site) or even OLED's. Both of these eliminate (or nearly eliminate) the dead pixel problem, they both use way less power, and in the case of TDEL they will be cheaper to manufacturer hence cheaper displays. Maybe it's time to encourage companies like Samsung, or the other manufacturers on this push.

There is an alternative technology for creating a large flatscreen TV. It uses a blue INorganic electroluminescent phosphor with filters, and I have seen 34-inch prototypes already.

The company is called iFire, and they are based in Toronto (yes, the Canadians are a player in the next-gen display industry). Their site is http://www.ifire.com./

They plan to have 37+ inch screens in retail by NLT early 2007 at pricepoints below LCD and decent plasma.

I've been following this for years, but I never hear about it anywhere. These guys seem to have a pretty good thing going on...

From their site:
iFire Technology has created a solid-state flat panel display technology called thick-film dielectric electroluminescence (TDEL). An inorganic electroluminescent (IEL) display technology, TDEL is based on a patented thick-film dielectric structure that enables excellent video performance and color saturation, while providing inherent ruggedness and reliability. Compared to other flat panel display technologies, iFire's TDEL technology involves a low-cost and high-yield manufacturing process. Combining low-cost potential with excellent video performance characteristics, iFire(TM) displays are poised to become the affordable, high performance flat panel alternative for the mass consumer television market.

I've been following this for years, but I never hear about it anywhere. These guys seem to have a pretty good thing going on...

From their site:
iFire Technology has created a solid-state flat panel display technology called thick-film dielectric electroluminescence (TDEL). An inorganic electroluminescent (IEL) display technology, TDEL is based on a patented thick-film dielectric structure that enables excellent video performance and color saturation, while providing inherent ruggedness and reliability. Compared to other flat panel display technologies, iFire's TDEL technology involves a low-cost and high-yield manufacturing process. Combining low-cost potential with excellent video performance characteristics, iFire(TM) displays are poised to become the affordable, high performance flat panel alternative for the mass consumer television market.

As I have mentioned before, I do not know why LCD's remain to be popular. Oh wait I do, it's the consortium that has put billions into trying to force them onto the market, even though they are undercutting their own manufacturing costs the last I have heard they are actually charging half the cost of manufacuturing on the 15" displays. Now their are some new technologies coming in the next year, the main one is the TDEL from iFire The TDEL display technology has the benefit of being cheaper to make, and less sensitive to microscopic dust, it is 10 to 20% greater tolerance to this dust. From their own Technology Comparison page they manufacuturing costs would be 30 to 50% cheaper then conventional flat panel technologies.

As I have mentioned before, I do not know why LCD's remain to be popular. Oh wait I do, it's the consortium that has put billions into trying to force them onto the market, even though they are undercutting their own manufacturing costs the last I have heard they are actually charging half the cost of manufacuturing on the 15" displays. Now their are some new technologies coming in the next year, the main one is the TDEL from iFire The TDEL display technology has the benefit of being cheaper to make, and less sensitive to microscopic dust, it is 10 to 20% greater tolerance to this dust. From their own Technology Comparison page they manufacuturing costs would be 30 to 50% cheaper then conventional flat panel technologies.

Their site...although it doesn't really show any tech in action so it might be vapo

iFire Technology has created a solid-state flat panel display technology called thick-film dielectric electroluminescence (TDEL). An inorganic electroluminescent (IEL) display technology, TDEL is based on a patented thick-film dielectric structure that enables excellent video performance and color saturation, while providing inherent ruggedness and reliability. Compared to other flat panel display technologies, iFire's TDEL technology involves a low-cost and high-yield manufacturing process. Combining low-cost potential with excellent video performance characteristics, iFire(TM) displays are poised to become the affordable, high performance flat panel alternative for the mass consumer television market.

2048x1152 DLP (front projection)
1280x720 DLP (rear projection)
Flat CRT (still under development)
Inorganic Electroluminescent (still under development)
Electrostatics & Suspension (ambient light, still working on color)
Electrostatics & Revolution (ambient light, still working on color)
Electrostatics & Interference (ambient light, no plans for larger modules!?!?)

An interesting comparison of the current flat-panel display technologies. It's not exhaustive, but it gives you a good 20,000 foot view. Note that this is on the site of an OLED tech competitor, trade named "iFire" which is thick-film transistor based so it's slightly slanted.

The iFire technology is pretty cool too. Seems to be a lot less expensive than OLED, though it's not as bright so less useful for genreal purpose displays. Both techs have been in development for years with very little, commercially, to show.

Apparently TDK and Sanyo are both pursuing potential iFire solutions, though I'm sure all display manufacturers are currently investigating all of the alternatives. Way too soon to throw all one's eggs in one basket.

An interesting comparison of the current flat-panel display technologies. It's not exhaustive, but it gives you a good 20,000 foot view. Note that this is on the site of an OLED tech competitor, trade named "iFire" which is thick-film transistor based so it's slightly slanted.

The iFire technology is pretty cool too. Seems to be a lot less expensive than OLED, though it's not as bright so less useful for genreal purpose displays. Both techs have been in development for years with very little, commercially, to show.

Apparently TDK and Sanyo are both pursuing potential iFire solutions, though I'm sure all display manufacturers are currently investigating all of the alternatives. Way too soon to throw all one's eggs in one basket.

I've seen the Telegen display, it's very promising technology. There is also the work being done by iFire, as well as all the work in OLEDs.

It may prove in the long run to be cheaper than OLED technology, however, it is neither as bright (right now) nor can it be made flexible like OLEDs (at least not from what I understand).

Check it out

-- kwashiorkor --
Leaps in Logic
should not be confused with

It may prove in the long run to be cheaper than OLED technology, however, it is neither as bright (right now) nor can it be made flexible like OLEDs (at least not from what I understand).

Check it out

-- kwashiorkor --
Leaps in Logic
should not be confused with

They're both extremely thin, low power consumption, EL material based displays.

The thing about iFire is that it's more likely to be cheaper to produce than OLED techs (and a lot cheaper than LCD) because of it's simple, fault tolerant construction. It's also advanced a lot further, faster than OLED in the last two years and seems capable of scaling to television sized screens with little difficulty.
-- kwashiorkor --
Leaps in Logic
should not be confused with

For more info about OLED, look on Kodak's site:
http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/produc ts/specialProducts/OEL/oelIndex.shtm l

But here's a product that puts to practice a real breakthrough in flat panel display technology. (though I'm not sure about it's power consumption).

iFire Flat Panel Displays
Compared with most other flat panel technologies, an iFire flat panel display is a very simple device. It does not involve vacuum like CRT and FED; gases like PDP; or liquids like LCD. This results in reduced susceptibility to shock, vibration and breakage. Unlike LCD that relies on multiple fluorescent tubes to light up the display, iFire flat panel displays emit light from the front portion of the display. This results in a wider viewing angle and a crisper, clearer image. The simple screen printing methods also translate into lower costs, and higher yields, thus producing an affordable flat panel display for the mass consumer market.
http://www.ifire.com/technology/compar e.html