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A Surface-conduction Electron-emitter Display (SED) is a flat panel display technology that uses surface conduction electron emitters for every individual display pixel. The surface conduction electron emitter emits electrons that excite a phosphor coating on the display panel, the same basic concept found in traditional cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions. This means that SEDs can combine the slim form factor of LCDs and Plasma displays with the high contrast ratios, refresh rates and overall better picture quality of CRTs. Canon also claims that SEDs consume less power than LCD displays. In October 2006, Toshiba's president announced the company plans to begin full production of 55" SED TVs in July 2007.•
Technology The surface conduction electron emitter apparatus consists of a thin slit across which electrons tunnel when excited by moderate voltages (tens of volts). When the electrons cross electric poles across the thin slit, some are scattered at the receiving pole and are accelerated toward the display surface by a large voltage gradient (tens of kV) between the display panel and the surface conduction electron emitter apparatus. Canon Inc. working with Toshiba uses inkjet printing technology to spray electronics onto the glass. The technology has been in development since 1987. Advantages Exceptional 50,000:1 contrast ratio. According to IGN at the 2006 CES show Toshiba's final versions of SEDs will ship with a contrast ratio of 100,000:1. Exceptional 1ms response time. Brightness of 450 nits.•. 180 degree viewing angle. Drawbacks Not enough information about technology. May be expensive when first released in 2007. Patent lawsuit with US company Nano-Proprietary, Inc. (NNPP). History In 2004 Toshiba and Canon announced a joint development agreement originally targeting commercial production of SEDs by the end of 2005. The 2005 target was not met, and several new targets since then have also slipped by. This failure to meet mass-production deadlines goes as far back as 1999, when Canon first told investors of its intentions to immediately begin mass-producing the technology. The lack of tangible progress has worried many investors and has prompted many critics to call SED “the best display technology you’ve ever seen that may be stillborn”•. During the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show, Toshiba showed working prototypes of SEDs to attendees, and indicated expected availability in mid-to-late 2006•. Toshiba and Canon again delayed their plan to sell the television sets to the fourth quarter of 2007•. Analysts think the long ramp-up to mass-production will give LCD and plasma screens a chance to further drop in price, thus becoming harder to compete with. Toshiba cited pricing pressure as a reason for the latest delay. See also | ||||||||
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