Seiko Epson envisions large inkjet-printed OLED TVs, unicorns for all in 2012

As much as we'd like to put stock in Satoru Miyashita's forecast, we're still hesitant to believe that we're just two Consumer Electronic Shows away from seeing big-screen OLED TVs for sale. After Sony's polarizing XEL-1 hit the scene around two years ago, we've seen an anemic amount of action in the commercial OLED TV space. Sure, we've heard promise after promise, but we've still got no solid evidence that a large-screen set is anywhere near a Sam's Club shelf. In a recent interview with the general manager of Seiko Epson's Core Technology Development Center, OLED-Info managed to get this out of the exec: "We see 2012 as being the year that 37"+ OLED TVs will be launched by various makers, and 2015 as the year that sales will really take off for this market." He's referring to the year in which OEMs will begin to use its new inkjet-printing approach to making OLED TVs, which will hopefully allow for easier development of larger panels. 'Til then, we suppose we'll just have to be content with using the Zune HD as our primary television.

[Travdude @ Jun 24th 2009 1:56PM]

You took a picture when it clearly states not to!

[Jay Voorhees @ Jun 24th 2009 2:55PM]

Epson was clearly trying to prevent the theft of this tv's soul. They have failed at their duty and will forever be shunnnnnned.

[AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA1 Plumbing @ Jun 24th 2009 2:56PM]

Don't worry, the quality of iPhone cameras are = to hearsay anyway...

[cpquiz @ Jun 24th 2009 3:02PM]

Why does it look like a Samsung TV to me.

[ghex88 @ Jun 24th 2009 4:14PM]

That's what I wanted to say too.

[ghex88 @ Jun 24th 2009 4:16PM]

What I meant was that the photo above was not allowed.

[Shinigami @ Jun 24th 2009 5:44PM]

Wait... didn't they promise OLED blooming in 2009? And then 2010, 2012, now its 2015.......................
Greedy companies! Still selling overpriced LCDs!

[Jonathan @ Jun 24th 2009 1:57PM]

Ha. Well-framed photo.

[tintin @ Jun 24th 2009 1:58PM]

Hey, no cameras allowed!

[chanthasiv @ Jun 24th 2009 3:21PM]

The sign says no photos

[poached @ Jun 24th 2009 1:59PM]

engadget reporters risked their lives to bring you this exclusive picture from deep behind enemy lines...

[dan @ Jun 24th 2009 2:04PM]

...many bothans died...to bring you this information....

[Gikero @ Jun 24th 2009 2:10PM]

"Uh..the sign says we can't take pictures..."

*takes picture

"Hey you! With the camera!"

"Run!"

[giuliop @ Jun 24th 2009 2:35PM]

This is more like it:

Engadget reporter #1: "Uh... look at that... a sign with a camera and a big red circle"
Engadget reporter #2: "It's also got a slanted line on it!!!"
Engadget reporter #1: "Cool... it looks like an unicorn... let's take a photo of it..." (click)
Engadget reporter #2: "Noo! What a crappy photo! The sign is on the bottom and the subject seems to be that bright rectangular thing!"
Engadget reporter #1: "Crap... I'm gonna post it all the same..."
Guard: "Hey you! With the camera!"
Both Engadget reporters at the same time: "Eh?"

[Heavytoka @ Jun 24th 2009 2:12PM]

isn't the world supposed to end in 2012, damn and I really wanted one of those Tv's lol

[Excelsium @ Jun 24th 2009 2:16PM]

I bet it's like plasma all over again $5,000-10,000.

[Bill @ Jun 24th 2009 2:23PM]

I demand OLED wallpaper and OLED body panels for my Element.

[reinekec @ Jun 24th 2009 2:23PM]

Imagine gaming on one of those bad boys.... *Wishes for OLED to come out sooner*

But Hey we are all supposed to die in 2012 anyways. LOL

[Montusama @ Jun 24th 2009 2:24PM]

Engadget is full of rebels. Just like me I take pictures almost everywhere.

[jon @ Jun 24th 2009 2:38PM]

Hey editors, can you ip ban this link-spamming douche bag?

[RedSpdr @ Jun 24th 2009 2:55PM]

@jon

+1 webz for you sir.

[Ryan @ Jun 24th 2009 3:07PM]

Why don't you just call/email the guy and ask him yourself.

[phone]

[e-mail]

(From the website he shamelessly promoted)

[Xtcneeds @ Jun 24th 2009 4:04PM]

Uh, why are you guys being such hipsters? "Printing" OLED screens has been the plan since their inception; in fact, it was one of the staples of the technology.

[Doug @ Jun 24th 2009 4:34PM]

Well, 2012.. It doesn't matter anyways.. After that preview for that WORLD END thing when I saw transformers last night, None of this will matter anyhow..

[gerrrg @ Jun 24th 2009 4:37PM]

Yay, I like unicorns.

and cheap OLED tvs.

[iFargle @ Jun 24th 2009 8:32PM]

What I really want to know is when these inkjet printers that can print these screens come out.. hehe