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Are Nanotube Monitors In Your Future?

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the science-fiction-science-fact dept.

cmburns69 writes "There is an article over on CNET News about some new nanotube technology which could replace LCD flat panel displays. "These 'field effect displays,' or FEDs, will consume less energy than plasma or liquid crystal display (LCD) TVs, deliver a better picture and even cost less.". The article is mostly focused on the FED technology, but also includes a summary of what other new display technology is coming up such as SEDs and slim CRTs. "

9 of 191 comments (clear)

  1. Define cost less by superpulpsicle · · Score: 3, Insightful

    If it's not in the sub $250 range, most people won't buy it. And just because they say it is cheaper, doesn't mean it'll be affordable until 5 years after it hits the market.

    1. Re:Define cost less by stupidfoo · · Score: 3, Insightful

      This is the same nonsense that's posted about every new technology out there. How many times have we read about a new display technology that's going to be better/faster/higher quality/cheaper/stronger/smarter/prettier/jumps higher/etc than LCDs and Plasma.

      Every single one of them. And in reality that's all just a bunch of marketing BS. Maybe it might be true when they massaged their 20 year sales projection numbers the right way, or if they stretch the truth on performance to the very edge.

      Unfortunately, Slashdot, like every other site, gets sucked into the better/faster/cheaper nonsense everytime it comes up.

    2. Re:Define cost less by lucabrasi999 · · Score: 2, Insightful
      If it's not in the sub $250 range, most people won't buy it

      These days, most people seem to be buying televisions with screens larger than 35". And they cost a bit more than $250.

      If you build it, somebody with a small penis will buy it.

    3. Re:Define cost less by ZeroGee · · Score: 4, Insightful

      So are you saying that LCDs and Plasma TVs are the end-all for TV development? These new devices are betterfastercheaper, but that doesn't mean today! It means that after the initial development period, this technology will replace the older version. It's an evolution of technology.

    4. Re:Define cost less by David+Gould · · Score: 3, Insightful


      just that all we ever hear about are all these amazing magical technologies that will blow the existing techs away.

      You mean like plasma screens? You know, it wasn't that many years ago that we were discussing, right here on Slahsdot[*1], an article that sounded just like this one, but was introducing a hot new display technology called <fingerquote style="Dr. Evil">"plasma"</fingerquote> that was going to enable flat displays to be made bigger/better/cheaper than was possible with LCDs.

      Then too, the article was overly enthusiastic; then too, some of us got prematurely excited about it; then too, others soberly advised waiting for actual products, etc. In short, it was exactly the same as this. And yet, the technology really did arrive eventually.

      You're right that it's stupid to get all excited about an R&D concept demo (or even an actual prototype) as if it were an actual product (and by the way, it's called vaporware, not FUD -- similar concepts but an important distinction). But it would be just as dumb to completely scoff off all new-tech press releases. We should take an article like this for what it is, no more, no less: a preview of one of the (several, competing) possibilities for what might become the next generation of display technology.

      We know there's going to be a next generation, and between SED, FED, OLED, Thin-CRT, and WIMF, there's an exciting amount of potential for displays to get dramatically bigger, better, and cheaper sometime in the not-too-distant future. I for one am content to leave it at that, and interested to keep an eye on developments on all those avenues.

      --
      [1] At least, some of us, who were around back then. I think I'm supposed to make a comment about /. UIDs at this point, but I can't stand those people who get all cocky about their "old-timer" status.

      --
      David Gould
      main(i){putchar(340056100>>(i-1)*5&31|!!(i<6)<< 6)&&main(++i);}
  2. Same Line by teiresias · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "These , will consume less energy than plasma or liquid crystal display (LCD) TVs, deliver a better picture and even cost less.".

    This seems to be the spin for any new display technology that's being hawked, regardless of development, deployment or truth.

    --
    -Teiresias
  3. Hooray for new TV technologies by stratjakt · · Score: 2, Insightful

    All of which promise cheaper, higher definition pictures, using less energy, and do 0-500 mph in a quarter second.

    Whatever. Go to fucking circuit city and notice that anything other than a "plain ole tv set" costs an order of magnitude more, and doesn't even boast a better image.

    LCoS SED Plasma OLED LCD DLP SHOMORK

    So lets take the buzzword of the day and rebadge it as "TV tech of teh futore".

    Nanotubes.

    WiFi Nanotubes, with iTunes.

    --
    I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
  4. Re:for the lazy: the ghosting question by The_Wilschon · · Score: 3, Insightful

    So the FED is in some sense just ~a million tiny single-pixel CRTs? Interesting!

    --
    SIGSEGV caught, terminating

    wait... not that kind of sig.
  5. Re:for the lazy: the ghosting question by Suddenly_Dead · · Score: 2, Insightful

    The ghosting is like a blur caused by the pixels refreshing slowly, and is especially problematic in any FPS, racer, faster flight simulators, and games with a fair amount of contrast; ie. space sims, that poor weakening genre that I love =(

    It does have an effect on television, but certainly to a lesser degree because of the limited motion onscreen (unless of course it is a cheap LCD). The LCDs, or at least the expensive ones, are progressing to a point where many people don't notice the ghosting. I certainly do though, and can't really stand gaming on LCD monitors.