L.E.D.'s for LCDs

You've heard all the buzz about OLED displays, but there's another way cool technology that's aiming to knock LCD displays for a loop. This technology is already aiming to replace the common lightbulb, and now it's looking to get entrench itself into the TV business. What's the buzz all about?

Current LCD screens typically use C.C.F.L. (cold cathode fluorescent lamp) technology. These use a lot of power, contain environmentally hazardous mercury, need to be replaced somewhat frequently, and tend to limit color rendition.

Insight Media, a company that researches flat panel technology has predicted that L.E.D. will be the illumination source for LCD by 2011.

An article in the New York Times sites that that although current L.E.D. displays already exist, they have problems. They can use up to 10,000 L.E.D.'s, but if only 100 are defective, the overall light output can be affected.

Lcdtva_logo_wtipic A company in Massachusetts is working on a way around that problem. By mounting 24 L.E.D.'s on one or two sides of the display, the sets can be cheaper, use less energy, and be thinner. Even though L.E.D.'s are more expensive, by 2011, Luminus, the Mass. company, predicts the prices will be more competitive. -Leslie Shapiro

Story and photo via The New York Times

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