Canon said to be developing own tech for SED TV production

After being hampered by habitual delays both legal and technical, it looks like the long-awaited über-tech of the display world may finally be on the cusp of reaching market, as Canon is reportedly developing a way to build surface-conduction electron-emitter display (SED) TVs without using contentious IP. Specifically, Japanese newspaper Asahi is reporting -- without citing sources -- that Canon is working on a "non-carbon" method of producing the sets that bypasses the Nano-Proprietary patents at the heart of that lawsuit. Still no hint on when we'll actually be able to install one of these models in our home theater, but the promise of unrivaled black levels, brightness, and contrast could well have us drinking the SED Kool-Aid for years to come.

[Via Bloomberg, thanks Dr. MORO]

[Darkest Daze @ Dec 31st 2007 5:57PM]

The one thing I never understood is they were getting in trouble for using someone else's technology, but no one else has announced that they are even looking at coming out with anything related to SED other than Canon. So why is the patent holder being such dicks about it. Or are they just asking for too much money to license the tech for Canon to bother with it?

[Invisiblemoose @ Dec 31st 2007 6:00PM]

A few years ago I decided to hold off buying an HDTV until I could get an SED display...

I'm still waiting...

[shmengie @ Dec 31st 2007 6:12PM]

dude, start holding your breath...

[ck @ Dec 31st 2007 6:13PM]

Yeah they need to hurry up already.

Meanwhile I got a 50" RPTV but as soon as SED arrives that thing's going in the bedroom.

[Keith @ Jan 1st 2008 12:49PM]

I was holding off until SED came out as well, but then I realized that it was vaporware and by the time it did come out (if ever), I could have been enjoying a great HDTV for many years. So, I took the plunge and haven't regretted it for a second.

[skraddah @ Dec 31st 2007 6:13PM]

OK.... interesting, I thought this tech was never going to make it to the market. Now the question is whether these "unrivaled black levels, brightness, and contrast" are better than what we'll get with OLED? Anyone know how these two display techs stack up against each other (aside from discussions of display size)? Will this be considerable cheaper than OLED?

[Odd TSi @ Dec 31st 2007 6:19PM]

The thing is that OLED is starting out with the same problem that LCD had, it's difficult to make large panels. SED has the opposite problem from what I've read, it's difficult to make small panels with small pixel pitch. So essentially if they were to be released at the same time OLED would rule the computer monitor segment of the market and SED the big screen TV market.

[Bhaughbb @ Dec 31st 2007 6:27PM]

There is also the equaly or more important question of display life. Last I read OLED still has a fairly short lifespan for use in a home tv/computer monitor sestting.

[skraddah @ Dec 31st 2007 6:56PM]

Hi Bhaugbb,

I think this problem has been largely overcome. If I remember correctly, OLED was mainly having a problem with the life of the blue (I think) LED, but I think that has recently been overcome. Yep...just checked wikipedia, and according to them, the lifespan is now about 20,000 hours on the blue LED, up from 5,000.

However, the current size restraints will be an issue. Interesting, so we have a new plasma vs. lcd market emerging.

[Wwhat @ Dec 31st 2007 9:21PM]

Reports are coming in that samsung will show a 31" AM-OLED display at CES with a 35000 hour lifespan.
Just for demonstration though, but it brings some hope.

[ck @ Dec 31st 2007 6:16PM]

I preferred the original acronym when it was known as a Carbon Nano Tube display. What could the marketing guys possibly have had against that?

[mik @ Dec 31st 2007 6:27PM]

average consumer might confuse it with CRT - old tech. as opposed to LED... which in a the averages comsumers eyes is considered a newer tech? just a guess.

[Darkest Daze @ Dec 31st 2007 7:03PM]

I always thought that carbon nano-tube was a different tech just because when they first announced carbon nano-tube TV's they said it would be possible to make a $400 46" display. I also remember reading about SED TV's around the same time and how they assumed the first displayed would be around $50k. Guess someone was confused, may have just been me.

[Wwhat @ Dec 31st 2007 9:24PM]

Read the bit at all?
"Canon is working on a "non-carbon" method of producing the sets"

So it seems carbon nanotubes are not strictly needed, so you can't name it after them if you don't use them can you?

[zabador @ Dec 31st 2007 6:51PM]

Isn't Asahi a Japanese beer?

[Terry Thomas @ Dec 31st 2007 8:43PM]

Asahi Shinbun is the Japanese equivalent of the New York Times.

[Jeebus @ Jan 1st 2008 12:04PM]

Yes, it is a Japanese beer.

[zabador @ Jan 1st 2008 12:05PM]

Praise Jeebus, I'm not loosing my mind!

[Valgas @ Dec 31st 2007 7:16PM]

Is that place on the display real? Where, what is it?

[JTM @ Dec 31st 2007 8:04PM]

I think it's in Brazil. Maybe Mexico.

[osalom @ Dec 31st 2007 8:13PM]

It must be a "Senote" in Mexico, near Cancun

[Nathan @ Dec 31st 2007 8:25PM]

Pioneer Kuros look to be about 95% there, and after CES i think we'll see that they're even closer. I don't see where SED plans to be in the market. With plasmas and LCDs getting better almost monthly, the great advantages of SED are dwindling fast. I have no doubt that both plasmas and LCDs will be right up there with SED PQ in just a year or two. Add OLED to the picture and i'm afraid there's just no point in hugely expensive SED displays when much cheaper alternatives will easily offer an identical experience for 99% of the consumers out there.

[Wwhat @ Dec 31st 2007 9:24PM]

LCD's are sooo yesterday.

[Ryan Raphael @ Jan 1st 2008 12:24AM]

You are correct, what you mean is improved LCD MAY(remember, MAY) defeat new SED.
I don't think improved SED canot defeat LCD.
Their difference is determined "genetically"

[Owen V @ Dec 31st 2007 9:37PM]

lets hope it doesn't use indium

[CaliforniaKid @ Dec 31st 2007 9:47PM]

I bet OLED/SED is ready for production.

It's like that pill that turns water into gasoline. "They" have it. The oil companies don't want you to watch OLED/SED based TVs. They're afraid your TV will look so good you'll stay at home and not drive anywhere.

Where's that Oliver guy when you need him?

[SED TV Guy @ Jan 1st 2008 9:27AM]

Finally some good news from Canon after the chaos of 2007.

http://www.sed-tv-reviews.com

[Wendy @ Jan 28th 2008 12:53PM]

Work around ? Non carbon ? Easier said than done. Don't be surprised if they cut a deal with Nano-Proprietary. Rumors f Canon contract for SED TVs with Chinese Govt for TV production and venue advertising are circulating. Un-named source ?