New LCD Flatscreen Concept: A Wedge of Plastic

SimianOverlord writes "The Register reports on an innovation in the field of flat panel LCD screens that promises cheaper screens with the same quality using existing manufacturing technology. A Flat Projection Display is created by bouncing light into a thin wedge of plastic from the bottom of the screen, at just the correct angle to allow the rebounded light to escape at the correct pixel. "We have to play around with the image to make sure that the pixels don't bunch up" explained Prof. Travis, the inventor. "If you don't do that the image can appear a little like an image reflected off water" The new technology has already attracted interest from a major TV maker, but don't expect them in your laptop until projector minaturization catches up."

Comments

Still Not Cheap Enough

[automag]

It's interesting to note that while this process appears to be much cheaper than plasma screen technology and probably cheaper than current rear-projection methods in use, the industry still has a long way to go in making this technology as inexpensive as the good 'ol picture tube televisions that we've had all along.

Ultimately that is the real brass ring, because there are a whole lot more people that can't afford the new technology, than can. Especially when considered on a global scale. Bottom line: I don't think we're going to be hearing about the 'death' of tube-based televisions for many years to come...