Waiting for OLED but looking for temporary display

[wiyosaya]

I have been using a 24" 4:3 Wega tube TV for a display for a long time. My current plan is to buy large-screen OLED display sometime after they hit the market. I'm not sure at what price point I will be willing to enter that market, however, I am saving my pennies for that day.

Needless to say, the 24" is, at times, a bit small. My wife and I have recently been talking about getting an LED LCD, but we would prefer to spend only around $300 for it if we can find one in that price range, and at that price, I am far from expecting something that is perfect or performs anywhere near as well as it is anticipated that OLED will. (Perhaps with calibration, such a cheap display might be acceptable?)

I came across a company that is unknown to me that has a 39" class LED LCD display that I can see and buy at my local Sears for $299. I usually would not shop at Sears as I definitely prefer and usually always buy from a local HT shop.

The display company is Seiki and claims to be a US based manufacturer - the 39" class TV (which I would most likely only use as a display) is here.

Does anyone know anything about this company?

Also, if you were in my shoes what would you do? I am not convinced that even at this point it is worth spending the money on such a display as we will only use it for a few years and then get rid of it.

Thanks in advance - and for tolerating what may be a dumb question.

I should add that for our viewing room, a 55" display is an ideal size.

 

[connieflyer]

As far as I can see this 40 inch is similar Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Seiki LC40G81 40" 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV and the reveiws on this company have been less than stellar. If you are waiting for oled better save more than pennies for a larger display.

 

[lsiberian]

Why would you wait on an unproved technology? It will probably be years before OLED really enters the market as a mature technology. But is it really necessary? I think the modern LCDs are pretty good TVs. It's time to upgrade. Delaying pleasure is wise of course, but don't expect the first OLED TVs to be reasonable.

 

[j_garcia]

OLED for the masses is not that close, so you could be waiting a while. I wouldn't wait for it either considering the current prominent technologies are quite mature right now: plasma and LCD. With LCD however, go with a big name. The "unknowns" are far more temporary than they should be, meaning you get what you pay for.

There are NO us based LCD manufacturers. The company may be based here, but ALL manufacturing happens overseas.

 

[wiyosaya]

OLED for the masses is not that close, so you could be waiting a while. I wouldn't wait for it either considering the current prominent technologies are quite mature right now: plasma and LCD. With LCD however, go with a big name. The "unknowns" are far more temporary than they should be, meaning you get what you pay for.

There are NO us based LCD manufacturers. The company may be based here, but ALL manufacturing happens overseas.

Thanks for all the replies.

I expected that there were no true US manufacturers at this time.

I've always been a late adopter, and given previous setbacks of OLED, I am a skeptical of dates of 2013 for availability or 2014 for price parity with LCD. However, I have followed the technology for some time, and IF any of the OLED production technologies currently in development come to fruition, prices may fall quite quickly once they hit the market. In particular, OLED printing could drive market prices down very quickly - at least in my opinion.

I will have to think about it, but the prices on 55" models from the likes of Samsung or LG are quite tempting at this point.

 

[j_garcia]

Not sure what you mean by "if"; OLED technology is consumer ready right now (does not mean they are on the market though), but the price to manufacture is quite high compared to everything else, so manufacturers are not likely to push it. That price will likely not drop any time soon either, with the display market slow. If nobody is buying, production will not ramp and prices will not come down. 2013 is currently projected as slow, so I would expect OLED to be even further out than previously estimated.

 

[wiyosaya]

Not sure what you mean by "if"; OLED technology is consumer ready right now (does not mean they are on the market though), but the price to manufacture is quite high compared to everything else, so manufacturers are not likely to push it. That price will likely not drop any time soon either, with the display market slow. If nobody is buying, production will not ramp and prices will not come down. 2013 is currently projected as slow, so I would expect OLED to be even further out than previously estimated.

As I understand it, other than Sony's OLED monitors that are sold in the professional market, there are no OLED sets that have become available. Sony's XEL-1 that was marketed to consumers is no longer available.

LG was to release a 55" this year, however, they ran into yield problems, and made a decision not to release them to the market. Likewise, Samsung was to release a 55" to the commercial market this year, and also has delayed that release for similar reasons.

My bet is that LG is likely using a first-generation production technology; however, there are companies, such as Dupont, that are working on technologies that print OLED displays with inkjet printers. If such a technology becomes mature enough for commercial production of large displays, it has the potential to substantially reduce the cost of production very quickly and, therefore, the price price of sets produced with that technology. I have little doubt that something like this will happen, it is just a matter of time.

 

[j_garcia]

I don't see Inkjet as the future of TVs. As that article mentioned, while it CAN be used for large displays, it is primarily targeted at small devices because they aren't top quality in terms of PQ. That technology is still in development, has been for years, and chances are good it won't make it to consumer level TV production.

OLED has always had yield problems, which is what keeps the prices high. Yield is the key issue; solve that problem and it will take over. With the market slow though, manufacturers work on two things: new tech and cost reduction for current tech, so OLED is likely one thing they are still working on right now.

 

[ImcLoud]

I would just go to your local best buy and look through the discount rack, I found a 42" toshiba for $289 a while back, and last time I was lokoing they had a 60" led with no box or manual {had remote and wires} for under $500

 

[j_garcia]

I would just go to your local best buy and look through the discount rack, I found a 42" toshiba for $289 a while back, and last time I was lokoing they had a 60" led with no box or manual {had remote and wires} for under $500

Agreed. If it is temporary, an open box or display is probably the best way to go. I've gotten great deals on TVs that way before too.

 

[slipperybidness]

I don't see Inkjet as the future of TVs. As that article mentioned, while it CAN be used for large displays, it is primarily targeted at small devices because they aren't top quality in terms of PQ. That technology is still in development, has been for years, and chances are good it won't make it to consumer level TV production.

OLED has always had yield problems, which is what keeps the prices high. Yield is the key issue; solve that problem and it will take over. With the market slow though, manufacturers work on two things: new tech and cost reduction for current tech, so OLED is likely one thing they are still working on right now.

As a chemistry student ~10years ago, we had a guest prof come lecture our polymer class while the regular prof was out. His guest lecture was on the progress of OLEDs and the ability to print them.

My point is: That was the state of the tech 10years ago. Obviously, there have been improvements since then, but no huge breakthrough, which makes me think that they just haven't found a good reason to put money into the research yet.

 

[96cobra10101]

Are you a Costco or Sams Club member? They always have returned stuff on sale at pretty good discounts, with warranty.

 

[j_garcia]

As a chemistry student ~10years ago, we had a guest prof come lecture our polymer class while the regular prof was out. His guest lecture was on the progress of OLEDs and the ability to print them.

My point is: That was the state of the tech 10years ago. Obviously, there have been improvements since then, but no huge breakthrough, which makes me think that they just haven't found a good reason to put money into the research yet.

The research is still being done, but since they haven't really solved some of the problems, so things haven't really progressed to where it is cost effective. They can do it right now, but if they can't do it AND make a profit, they won't do it.

 

[wiyosaya]

I would just go to your local best buy and look through the discount rack, I found a 42" toshiba for $289 a while back, and last time I was lokoing they had a 60" led with no box or manual {had remote and wires} for under $500

This sounds like a great suggestion. Thanks - I'll check it out. Perhaps post Christmas returns will bring a few open box bargains to a local Best Buy.

Are you a Costco or Sams Club member? They always have returned stuff on sale at pretty good discounts, with warranty.

I used to be a Sam's member, but since I bought almost nothing there AND almost EVERY time I went there recently, I was pestered to upgrade to the next level, I let my membership lapse. Perhaps, though, I might have a reason to re-up if I can find a display at a bargain basement price.

The research is still being done, but since they haven't really solved some of the problems, so things haven't really progressed to where it is cost effective. They can do it right now, but if they can't do it AND make a profit, they won't do it.

At least they got the lifetime issues pretty much under control. However, I just noticed that one market research firm predicts that the OLED breakthrough with come in 2016. If only Ouija boards were correct, but that is still a long time to wait.

 

[Grador]

They may have the lifetime issues under control, but keep in mind that's for the current manufacturing techniques, which will not likely produce a reasonably priced consumer unit.

Once a more usable manufacturing technique is created it's likely that lifetime issues etc will crop up again. Honestly I'd just grab a good TV now, by the time there is a good affordable OLED that you can be sure will last you'd probably be ready to ditch whatever you have purchased today anyway.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I would start at the beginning with all of this...

1. OLED is not close. It has been promised for the past 5+ years and is STILL not on the market in any usable large screen format.

2. It will be pricey. If you are struggling with putting together $300 for a 'temporary' display, then forget OLED. It will be $3,000+ at the very least I would expect.

3. OLED will be first generation. It means that for consumers wanting a really good display, at a fair price, with OLED, they should expect it to come no less than 5 years after the technology is brought to the market.

REALITY CHECK - DONE

Now, knowing that you really should be waiting no less than 5 years, and more like 7-8 years on a reasonably priced, high quality, OLED display, why not go ahead and get a decent TV today which will last you those years and will be of some use when (if) you do go to something else?

With that in mind:

1. Why LED? Why not plasma? What type of viewing do you do? What is your viewing distance? Do you have HD? Are you ready to make the change to HD?

2. With a typical viewing distance of 10-12 feet a TV of 50" to 65" diagonal is appropriate. Not just 'recommended', but truly is the right size.

3. I don't care if you think 40" is huge. It isn't. From 10' away, 50" will look very normal to you in about 2 weeks after buying it. If you are sitting at 6 feet, then I can support you buying a 40" class television. The number one complaint by people who buy a new TV is that they wish they had gotten the next larger size. You will simply have to trust that this is accurate information and follow it instead of second guessing it.

4. Plasma will deliver the best looking image on the market today. Unless there is some reason it doesn't work for you, it should be what you are looking at.

5. Stop saving your money for fiction, and put your money towards a quality display. Not Seiki, Emerson, Sanyo, Insignia, Westinghouse, or a long list of cheap imports. Get a Panasonic, a Samsung, a Sharp, or a Sony. Spend the money, and get something good which you will be happy with for years.

6. With a 10' viewing distance and not getting something overly expensive, I would recommend the Panasonic TC-P50ST50 - $1000 shipped to your door.

Amazon.com: Panasonic VIERA TC-P50ST50 50-Inch 1080p 600Hz Full HD 3D Plasma TV: Electronics

Very well rated, well reviewed, and will deliver years of ownership of one of the best images you can have. Yes, a lot more than your current budget, but I would encourage you to change your budget and focus on getting something truly realistic and long term.

 

[slipperybidness]

3. I don't care if you think 40" is huge. It isn't. From 10' away, 50" will look very normal to you in about 2 weeks after buying it. If you are sitting at 6 feet, then I can support you buying a 40" class television. The number one complaint by people who buy a new TV is that they wish they had gotten the next larger size. You will simply have to trust that this is accurate information and follow it instead of second guessing it.

Always go for the biggest screen you can afford. You will never hear "I wish I had bought a smaller TV"

 

[j_garcia]

Always go for the biggest screen you can afford. You will never hear "I wish I had bought a smaller TV"

I kind of disagree with this. I will take a higher quality screen that is a little smaller than a larger one that sucks. If you can swing it though, and get a good compromise between the two, go larger

 

[slipperybidness]

I kind of disagree with this. I will take a higher quality screen that is a little smaller than a larger one that sucks. If you can swing it though, and get a good compromise between the two, go larger

OK. Fair enough. I was assuming that if you were already looking at quality screens to begin with.

So, let me qualify that statement: All other specs being equal, buy the largest screen you can afford.

 

[wiyosaya]

I've been thinking about it, and I will probably go with this LG 55" or something similar.

I do care about picture quality (though at least one reviewer mentions this model does not seem to have the "soap opera effect"), I don't care about sound quality since I have a reasonable sound system, and I don't really care about internet options since my Blu-ray player already has them.

As I said previous to this, 55" is an optimal size for our viewing room and position, and I really don't see any bad reviews that I would chalk up to other than nontechnical users. Also, I will be doing at least a rudimentary calibration.

Its currently going for $849 at Best Buy, but we'll probably have it for a while - at least until OLED promises come to fruition.

Thanks again for the replies.