[-=Kamikaze=-]

Here is a thought experiment I've been pondering for some time. SONY and Samsung parade around all those brilliant big (up to around 40") OLED prototypes at various trade shows.

So they have the ability to produce such things in very small quantities. Say I won the lottery and like a rich spoiled idiot I thought myself too rich and important to wait for things like normal people. If I contacted SONY/Samsung and said something to the effect of, build and ship me your current biggest OLED prototype at any cost you deem, do you think they would?

How much do you think would such a prototype run at? I know they must be expensive to make because they are not yet fit for mass production, but what if all you were interested in was one single unit, how possibly expensive could it be to make one, say, 40+" OLED. 10000$, 20000$, more?

I suppose the panel itself is just the beginning, there is also the issue of software running the damn thing, even if it will act mostly as a monitor with no tuner or other TV like characteristics sans perhaps a single HDMI port. The trade show models sure do have some software built in, wither it is some sort of custom bare bones deal just enough to display their show reel or a tweaked version of the manufacturers newest proprietary picture engine (Bravia Engine 3 PRO for SONY for an example), is up for debate.

What do you think? Anyone with inside knowledge who can make an educated guess?

[confused88]

You cant get a prototype by calling Sony or Samsung ...
Normally they should first be on the market in Japan. You should try to find a way to ship one when it happens.

[-=Kamikaze=-]

I am sure an agreement could be reached if I managed to reach the right person. As it stands there won't be a 40" unit to be had via retail at least for the next 2-3 years, if not more. What I want to know is how much it would take to cut all that short, I know Samsung recently showed off what they call production ready 40" AMOLED's. So they can make them, now, they just don't want to sell them in stores yet, not in Korea nor in Japan, because they cost too much so as a commercial product they make no sense to them yet.

But what if all that was needed was single unit fresh off of their test assembly line, I am sure an agreement could be reached, the question is price. Personally I think the least would be 8000$ for a 40" going by the dollar/inch of the 11" commercial SONY as a baseline. Call me crazy, but I'd buy one for that price, just so I could relax and not pay attention to the lacklustre world of consumer AV for the next 3 years. It sure is cheaper than loosing money exchanging LCD/Plasma panels each year because the newest still just don't cut it.

[confused88]

If your logic is right then a 40" OLED would cost about 30-40K and not 8K as it is has about 14x the viewing area of an 11" model which sells at about 3K in the UK. I don't expect to cost that much in the end maybe 7-8K.
I disagree with your statement on the newest PLASMA/ LCD. Get a Pioneer 50"-60 " Plasma and you are set for life, or at least for a long time.
Will OLED be better? Would would have to wait and see.

[-=Kamikaze=-]

I had a fairly decent Plasma for a few years, I can safely say that I am not in a hurry to go back to that technology. I've seen the new Kuro's, and they did not impress me, not at all in fact. I hate my current LCD as well, at this point only OLED can satisfy my needs, which is what got me wondering.

[confused88]

Since money is no object to you and no TV meets your high standards then why don't you go for the real thing? Get a Projector. With 5K you can get a truly amazing PJ that no plasma/LCD/OLED can match. Most home cinema enthusiasts have opted for a PJ instead of a Plasma and definitely not an LCD. Of course you need the right room, little or no ambient light, dark color walls, carpets. etc. But even under no so ideal conditions the result could be impressive.

[-=Kamikaze=-]

A projector is not an option for me, I want a proper television. I've been following things pretty closely for the last 6 or so years, OLED is the one, too bad everyone involved with getting them to market have all had dragging their feet as their chief talent.

[azza21]

I think the main problem you'd find would be the unwillingness of Sony or Samsung to share there latest technology with you even at 40k or whatnot. They just wouldn't risk selling an OLED or other tech to someone at such an early stage of development, what if there tech got in the hands Sony or vice verser....

[confused88]

Even if they have built prototypes beta testers would get it first and at that stage there is no way to buy it. After that the first release would probably be in Japan then US would follow and last would be Europe.

[eiren]

You can currently buy the Sony 11" OLED screen a big magnifying pane of glass to go in front of it.

I think that's about the only option available.

[mo]

hi,
i've often asked the same question and having seen you pose the same i thought i'd go and ask the question myself.

the answer is no. ( this is one particular company)
the reasons are that :
lets say a 40' oled for example
putting the price to one side (which would be a very silly one) , they only build so many to test , to take apart , to improve etc.
they would never give such prototypes to a member of the public that they are not aware of as these prototypes would land in the hands of the competition and that is the biggest fear.
most prototypes will stay inhouse and are given to the very highest personel of a company.
so unless you are the ceo of a major electronic giant or your best friends with such people its unlikely that you can get one

[j0hn]

If you want OLED quicker its simple. Vote with your pocket book. Stop buying, get everyone you know to stop, and get them to say to shop staff to email companies ...we want OLED and we refuse to buy this **** so stop investing WE WANT OLED! So what do you think they would do when faced with this? Its simple...they would push OLED to production.So next time you see a what tv should i buy thread...post NONE you want OLED and email addresses to sony etc its simple but requires restraint and effort.

[jameslindsey]

Pre-production equipment is more often than not, not to a standard that would stand up to constant home end use. Apart from the risk of letting information about new tech out before it had possibly been protected against copying, quite often this kit has not undergone safety and standards tests. A company would be opening itself up to a potential lawsuit if injury is caused due to a defect of manufacture.

[confused88]

Death by OLED