Toshiba SED Flat Screens

[bakerloo]

I have seen pictures and many reviews regarding the new technology SED Flat Panel Screens. If the specs on paper are anything to go by then I may put off my intended purchase off a plasma.

These screens are to be available from april 2006ish, screens have been built and demo'd all over the expo's but nowhere have I found any kind off a price, not even ball park figures.

I've read that whilst the R&D costs were obviously very high, these screens are cheaper to manufacture that lcd or plasma as they don't require back lighting, they do not have to be made in a vacuum etc.

Obviously as a new technology and whilst R&D costs have to be recovered initially the prices will probably pretty high but hopefully will reduce quite quickly.

Once again has anyone seen a price on these things.

[neilmcl]

Originally Posted by bakerloo

I have seen pictures and many reviews regarding the new technology SED Flat Panel Screens. If the specs on paper are anything to go by then I may put off my intended purchase off a plasma.

These screens are to be available from april 2006ish, screens have been built and demo'd all over the expo's but nowhere have I found any kind off a price, not even ball park figures.

I've read that whilst the R&D costs were obviously very high, these screens are cheaper to manufacture that lcd or plasma as they don't require back lighting, they do not have to be made in a vacuum etc.

Obviously as a new technology and whilst R&D costs have to be recovered initially the prices will probably pretty high but hopefully will reduce quite quickly.

Once again has anyone seen a price on these things.

I very much doubt we'll see these in the UK by next April and the prices are likely to be high to start off. I'd imagine it'll take a couple of years at least to allow this technology to mature.

[bakerloo]

I've done a google uk search and it seems your right.

"Likely to launch before the end of next year at a price likely to be slightly above that of LCD technology, the first commercial product will carry full HDTV 1920x1080 resolution. Also, extremely fast response times should deliver the smear-free motion familiar from CRT monitors rather than the smearing problems seen with LCD." From homechoicecinema site.

It does appear that Toshiba is set to release this in the 1st quarter of next year but as usual us in the UK will have to wait & play catch up then pay over what other countries are charging.

Still can't wait to see one working.

If anyone spots any prices anywhere then please post here.

[DanDT]

Originally Posted by bakerloo

I've done a google uk search and it seems your right.

"Likely to launch before the end of next year at a price likely to be slightly above that of LCD technology, the first commercial product will carry full HDTV 1920x1080 resolution. Also, extremely fast response times should deliver the smear-free motion familiar from CRT monitors rather than the smearing problems seen with LCD." From homechoicecinema site.

It does appear that Toshiba is set to release this in the 1st quarter of next year but as usual us in the UK will have to wait & play catch up then pay over what other countries are charging.

Still can't wait to see one working.

If anyone spots any prices anywhere then please post here.

Before the end of the year? Cool!
Still, i'm quite sure there will be a very big premium (whatever the manufacturing costs), just because they will be the first SED displays, they will provide MUCH better picture quality than LCD and Plasmas, and well, they're just new.

[Son of Shaft]

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6130586/

Have also read, but can't remember where, that it's Japan first and U.S. maybe the same year and as usual Europe last. Introduction price around $10.000 US for 40". But that's a price for Japan, dunno what 1080p plasmas cost in japan so maybe it isn't that more expensive. Toshiba also thinks that they can ask higher price in comparison with LCD/Plasma because of the better image quality. Haven't seen one myself so can't tell if it's better but on sites that covered the IFA and were invited to see the SED displays, they say they were impressed with the image quality and black levels.

Doubt there is really a big market for €10.000 displays in Europe, maybe they will introduce it when they can sell at prices more competing with plasma/LCD/OLED.

[Stephen Neal]

Yep - the SED plant currently gearing up for full-time production is a relatively small scale pilot plant - and thus the initial displays are likely to be quite expensive. A larger plant is planned that will provide more economies of scale - and thus cheaper displays.

I read reviews that the early SED displays had quite visible internal support structures to keep the display rigid - and these were deemed a bit of a limitation.

Hope they can sort these things out though - they sound like a great combination of the picture quality of CRT combined with the geometry of LCD/Plasma.

[bakerloo]

Originally Posted by Stephen Neal

Yep - the SED plant currently gearing up for full-time production is a relatively small scale pilot plant - and thus the initial displays are likely to be quite expensive. A larger plant is planned that will provide more economies of scale - and thus cheaper displays.

I read reviews that the early SED displays had quite visible internal support structures to keep the display rigid - and these were deemed a bit of a limitation.

Hope they can sort these things out though - they sound like a great combination of the picture quality of CRT combined with the geometry of LCD/Plasma.

I'm sure that the internal support structures will be sorted as a lot of effort and cash as gone into development and with everything people just keep tinkering to improve.

If the reviews are as consistantly good as they are at present then i'm sure everyone will want one - just supply and demand. Obviously the real reviews, the ones consumers will respect will come when these screens are released and tested to destruction. If positive then I expect everyone will be making them thus creating competition thus hopefully lowering the prices.

I think i'll stick with my crt for now, it's only 11 months old. I'm gonna start shoving them pennies in a jar and if i'm still a bit short then i'll trade the wife and kids in.