Laser TV is a proposed new video display technology using laser
optoelectronics. Some claim that laser televisions will be commercially available in
late 2007, or early 2008.
Technology
Lasers may become an ideal replacement for the UHP lamps, which are currently in
use in projection display devices such as rear projection TV and front
projectors. Current televisions are capable of displaying only half of the
visible spectrum of colours.
Other types of displays currently in production are:
- PDP - Plasma Display Panel
- LCD - Liquid Crystal Display
- FED - Field Emission Display
- OLED - Organic Light Emitting Diode
- SED - Surface-conduction Electron-emitter Display
- DLP - Digital Light Processor
Advantages
One major claim of laser advocates is the ability to produce undiluted, perfect
colours allowing precise hue mixing. With the colour enhancement capable with
lasers, up to 90% of the spectrum that is currently unable to be viewed could be
regained. Other improvements that laser advocates claim are bulbs that will
never blow out, and increased efficiency by using two-thirds less power than
traditional rear projection televisions. Historically, however, lasers have been
too bulky and expensive for widespread adoption.
The laser technology advocates claim that the technology will allow displays
with a richer, more vibrant colour palette than the conventional plasma, LCD or
CRT displays.
They also claim the displays will:
- be half the weight and cost of Plasma or LCD displays
- require around 25% of the power required by Plasma or LCD displays
- be very thin like Plasma and LCD displays are today
- have a very wide colour gamut
- have a 50,000 hour life
Possible Disadvantages
Together with the advantages of laser sources, there are reports that also
describe some of the current shortcomings of laser displays, such as the
following:
Cost
Although a laser system can eliminate several components such as the colour
wheel and filters, the laser devices themselves are currently expensive. As
manufacturing processes improve, however, this may be alleviated.
Safety
The high power emitted by the coherent laser sources is inherently dangerous to
human vision. Proponents claim that integrating the devices with the needed
diffusion filters removes this risk.
Speckle
Due to the narrowband coherent light source, speckle will be an issue at the
display. Proponents claim that this issue can be minimized by the use of
diffusing elements and multiple sources. These, however, may impact displayed
resolution and system cost.
Brightness
It is likely that a high gain screen will be required for the new Laser TVs as
the current demo Laser TV demos do not appear to use lasers with optimal
brightness. This will be evident running a Laser TV next to an
LCD TV.
Colours
Laser TV must draw it's colours sequentially (first red, then blue, and finally
green). Similar to how a DLP projector works, this will likely result in some
people noticing colour strobes and DLP "rainbows".
Because a colour wheel (used in DLP projectors for example) is replaced by 3
lasers it does not change the fact that unless you also use 3 x DLP chips you
must strobe the colours, which will, in effect, reduce the brightness.
Controversy
Some have questioned the credibility of Laser TV development efforts.
Apparently, some information regarding Laser TV developments can be traced to
the pre-IPO publicity campaign of Arasor, and its partner, Novalux.
A number of major consumer TV manufacturers have indicated that they have no
plans to incorporate Laser TV technology into their product ranges.
To the contrary however, companies such as Novalux have shown what appear to be
viable demonstrations at industry conferences such as SID and CES.
It is debatable that a true Laser TV will even arrive, but if it does, will it
match or beat LCD TVs for quality, price, and reliability? And, by the time they
are in the shops, who is to say the next best thing will not be close to retail
stores - like Nano TV for example? On the other hand, it may be the next best
thing to sliced bread. We all just have to wait and see I guess!
PLEASE NOTE:
This website is in no way related to any television manufacturer whatsoever. The
above text is provided purely on an informational basis. If you are looking for
installation for your current
Digital Television, or Digital Home Theatre system, please contact us.
|
