Toshiba @ CES - SED TV

Being the number two TV manufacturer, Toshiba has to make a big move in televisions, and their push this year will be into SED (surface-conduction electron-emitter display) TVs, something that number one Sony doesn't have. The lineup will start with 50-inch screen sizes, featuring 1080 progressive support, 8600:1 contrast ratio, 1ms response speed, and one-third the power consumption of plasmas. It sounds sweet, but it'll be exclusive - 'Ferrari-priced' (we hope that doesn't mean 150 large for one) with limited distribution in 2005, then production ramping up next year. There will be a private showing at CES along with their partner Canon, which we look forward to peeping.

[Joey Geraci @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

1 ms response speed! Wow! I didn't think that was even possible.

[Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

Why do we need another overly expensive TV option? If someone has $50,000 to spend on a TV they have plenty of options already. Why not take the R&D money and drop it into creating a higher quality big screen alternative for the rest of us.


geesh.

[myname @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

Hmm, I wonder why they didn't want to call it SEEED?

[dawggpie @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

I thought another advantage of SED was that it was cheaper than LCD tech to produce. I guess like any other tech, the first couple cost boat loads and then it will drop.

[Brett Favray @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

/*

Well, at least SED's a better name than AWK.

*/

[J @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

I wonder if they can expand the color gamut
while they're at it. The orange reds and
yellow green phosphors of today's CRTs are not as good as the fluorescent phosphors used in
plasma sets. Wouldn't it be great if we could
get back to the original NTSC specs, which
were based on human color perception?
One of the reasons that Americans have had
such lousy color for decades is the arcane
way that the signal has been reproduced.
Pushing reds to orange and greens to yellow
take some of the precision out of fleshtones.
Now that we have newer digital transmissions,
maybe we can expand our palette to match or
exceed the rest of the world. Worth a try?

[Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

This is a great breakthrough in large screen technology. We all have hope this will create competition and drive prices down; however, recent articles said the SED units will be priced around Plasma and LCD if not higher.
That�s no help to the average wage earner. Maybe we need to have more restraint.
One thing is for sure; it�s the mass numbers of average wage earners going in to debt that keeps the prices of these units high not the wealthy few that can afford the ridiculous prices.
Wake up! This is a TV you are considering not an automobile.

[techSage @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

Keep in mind that competition (in this case a competing alternative display technology to Plasma and LCDs) usually results in price reductions in order to gain market share (i.e. price wars). This does benefit the consumer.

[j @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

Looks like Motorola was there first.
Perhaps they have to pay off licenses?

http://www.drapervc.com/newsletter/nanocoolers_pr.pdf

The company behind SED is Applied Nanotech, Inc. (ANI) is a subsidiary of Nano-Proprietary, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: NNPP). Nano-Proprietary (previously SI Diamond) was incorporated in 1989 and went public in 1993. Through ANI, Nano-Proprietary has an extensive intellectual property portfolio in the field of nanotechnology and a well-trained and well-managed nanotechnology research and development team. Their patent portfolio includes multiple fundamental claims for carbon nanotubes field emissions cathodes, which enables the company to further control critical components of nanotechnology, and advance its commercial vision of the technology. Currently ANI is in advanced development for the application of electron emitting carbon nanotubes cathodes in a number of areas, including large area color televisions, new lighting devices, x-ray, and microwave generators.

Applied Nanotech is also advanced in the area of nanotechnology for sensors, where research and development using nanotechnology involves interaction at the molecular and particle level. ANI experts are also working on new nano materials that are, or will be necessary for specific applications � including some that do not necessarily exist yet.

[Tired of waiting! @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

In response to #8
SED � and Flat Panel prices in general

Great, find a few million friends of yours to pay the current high prices for flat panel TV technology. Maybe by then the cost will come down to a reasonable price.

Although prices have come down on Plasma, LCD and DLP they are still ridiculous for amount of time some of this technology has been on the market. I agree that competition (SED) will eventually help to drive the price down, but why must these ridiculous high prices drag on? Is it like waiting for an alternative fuel?

$$$$$$$$$$$ we get in to a 3000 pound hunk of plastic and steel to get to work that is still pushed or pulled by a combustion engine. Let�s see, hmmm, in what century was that invented? I�ll bet the CEO�s of Ford and GM have several flat panels at home.

I think I�ll stick with the good ole CRT for now.

[Tired of waiting! @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

In response to #8
SED � and Flat Panel prices in general

Great, find a few million friends of yours to pay the current high prices for flat panel TV technology. Maybe by then the cost will come down to a reasonable price.

Although prices have come down on Plasma, LCD and DLP they are still ridiculous for amount of time some of this technology has been on the market. I agree that competition (SED) will eventually help to drive the price down, but why must these ridiculous high prices drag on? Is it like waiting for an alternative fuel?

$$$$$$$$$$$ we get in to a 3000 pound hunk of plastic and steel to get to work that is still pushed or pulled by a combustion engine. Let�s see, hmmm, in what century was that invented? I�ll bet the CEO�s of Ford and GM have several flat panels at home.

I think I�ll stick with the good ole CRT for now.

[Derrick @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

Does anyone have any information on the report out of the Display 2005 conference in Tokyo the the Canon/Toshiba JV unveiled a SED panel with a contrast ratio of 100,000:1 (not a typo)? That seems pretty serious to me. Am I missing something?

[ryusen @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

Well, everythign is expensive when it first comes out. the comapnies always sell at a high premium to recoup RnD. Hopefuly they will wise up and realize that they can probably find a better price point and make it up in voluem later.

[Stevo @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

I bought a 36 inch Hitachi TV in 2000 and it was on sale for $795 from $950. Because of the Plasma/LCD's going down in price, the other HDTV's were forced down in price. In turn, a technically better 36 inch TV of modern design can be had for almost half of what I paid slightly less than 5 years ago. No one is going to pay $800 for a regular 36 inch TV today if there is better stuff for that price. So, the newer technology forces the older technology down in price and is a great benefit to each and every consumer. I know it's frustrating to some that they can't afford every great toy in the world, but better new TV tech is a good thing, not a bad thing. Just be patient--within a few years, we'll all have great stuff:>)

[Tired of waiting! @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

Looking at the previous responses regarding pricing of large panel TV's, it appears that all are in agreement the general consumer has to endure ridiculous pricing when new products emerge. I understand having to recoup RnD and all that but how long is too long?
Let�s take Plasma for example; I remember when those were $9000 for a 42 inch display. (I�m still laughing at those who paid that price) Those units are still $2000 to $4500 pending on which model you want. THAT IS STILL REDICULOUS for the amount of time that technology has been available. Hello, you can put a down payment on an automobile for that price. This is a TV we are considering, right?
Maybe the Plasma juice isn't worth the sqeeze!

I�m curious to know what you honestly think a fair price would be for a 50 inch SED display 2 years after they are on the market.

What if !
these displays were made affordable for educational and other commercial use; hundreds of thousands would be sold thus giving the manufacturer their fair profit margin and recoup RnD investments. Then they would be more affordable in a shorter period of time to the individual consumer.

Hello, is anyone at Toshiba/Cannon listening? If Michael Dell can do it so can you!

[My2centsworth @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

It seems that Toshiba has a winner. If they bring it out at a price that everyone can afford, it would automatically drive down prices and possibly even drive the competitors out of business. Of course, Toshiba could stand to lose on the tv models they have already manufactured for sale. If anyone from Toshiba is listening (or reading), a lot of people are waiting for prices to drop with dollars that no company is getting. Profits are available for the tv company that wises up and produces at prices for the smart shoppers.

[Steve Yue @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

i can wait...

In response to #8
SED � and Flat Panel prices in general

most of the time large corporations or public companies would provide sufficient demand and have the $$$ for initial runs.

who wouldn't want superior displays at competitive prices?

from our own 'regular joe' affordability, the original intention was to provide the virtues of the crt with the virtues of flat panels, at a price above largest crts yet below current lcd/plasma/dlp etc.

as for oleds... that other more exotic (still unproven durability) yet 'affordable' and efficient...etc.

i'd go for sed tv by 2007/8

my old crt has to die first before i'd change, and there's too little 'impressive' hdtv programming to make me switch to current lcd/plasma/dlp screens.

[howmuchpalladium @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

I am convinced that SED will be great. What I don't know is how much palladium will be required given the projected volumes.

[Claudio @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

Are some of you people INSANE? Anyone Remember the cell phone? It was invented in 1973 and in 1983 when they started to really get marketed they cost $4000 for the biggest phone you have ever seen, it took till about 1991 to just come down to a subsidised $200 price tag for the exact same phone. Do you really think that $2000 to $5000 is too much for a plasma / LCD TV? Do you not remember when a plain old 52" rear projo cost that much or more about 3- 5 years ago, I sure do cause I was working for an electronics retailer that sold them. What about plain old 36" CRT's that sold for $1500 - $2000 3 - 5 years ago, how long has that technology been around for, 50 years or more? Considering that flat panel TV's have dropped from $10 - $15 thousand to the current prices in about a 5 year period I don't really thnk you all have very much to complain about. If you want a HUGE TV that won't break your bank, get a DLP or LCD projector and a 100" screen, it will cost you under $2000. Mine was only $1000 and beats the picture quality of any of my friends Plasma or LCD sets.

[Kappa Sigma @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

100" screen for under $1,000 eh? What specific model number please. Also please list other 100" models for under 2 G's.

Do I smell Bologna? Lots of it??

Sheesh

-------------------------------

[SNIP] Posted Nov 23, 2005, 2:19 PM ET by Claudio
"If you want a HUGE TV that won't break your bank, get a DLP or LCD projector and a 100" screen, it will cost you under $2000. Mine was only $1000 and beats the picture quality of any of my friends Plasma or LCD sets." -- Claudio

[Mugen30 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

This technology i guess follows the same old rule the bigger, the more expensive.

I'm serious(0r at least I was) that Lcd or plasma tvs would eventualy be "overruled" on time, and i kind of accepted being a 42"-old-plasma-tv-owner moron!, but you gays make it sound as though there would never be room for improvement...Who guarantes that by that time there won't be something bigger cooking on the tech-kitchen. I asked myself whether i plan to be in the technology rush for ever, and i guess that even though globalisations brings about lots hi-tech options, it still seems to keep the differences: those who can affort the best and keep up with it and ...the rest.

C U