Toshiba, Matsushita Bringing OLED to TVs

Toshiba and Matsushita have announced that within three years they plan to introduce organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels for use in televisions.

Toshiba and Matsushita have announced they plan to introduce organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels for use in televisions within three years via a joint venture, Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology Company, (TMD). The joint venture has introduced a 20.8-inch OLED display panel, and aims to begin commercial production of OLED panels for flat-screen televisions by 2009.

TMD says the 20.8-inch panel represents the world’s largest screen size for polymer-type OLED displays. The company had previously built a 17-inch panel in April 2002, but has since focused on 2- to 3.5-inch OLED panels for use in mobile phones and other portable devices.

The 20.8-inch panel offers a resolution of 1,280 by 768 pixels (WXGA) and handles 16.7 million colors. No specifications on contrast, brightness, or refresh rates have been released, but such specs wouldn’t necessarily be indicative of OLED displays to be released in three years’ time.

OLED panels emit light from electroluminescent films stored on the display’s glass substrate; OLED displays consume very little power, provide wide viewing angles, thin profiles, and high contrast. The TMD display uses three color-emitting layers (red, blue, and green) and applies each using an ink-jet like coating process. The company says it is managing light at the nanometer level in individual pixels to improve efficiency, raise brightness, and lower power consumption.

TMD won’t be alone trying to bring OLED to the television market: rival Sony is also developing OLED displays for televisions.

TMD’s 20.8-inch display will be on show at the third annual FPD Expo (Display 2007) in Tokyo from April 11 to 13.