Reviews

How to invest in the OLED display revolution

OLED is a new exciting technology, enabling thin, efficient and bright displays and lighting. Many people consider OLEDs to be the next-generation display, television and lighting tech. The potential sales of OLEDs in the next few years is billion of dollars. In fact, the OLED display market today is estimated at 600M$, and is forecasted to grow to 5.5B$ by 2015. OLED lighting will take off (hopefully) by 2011, and reach 6B$ in revenue in 2018.

There are many companies working on OLEDs, from big corporations likeSony, Samsung, LG, Kodak and GE, to small research and IP companies.

There are several types of companies involved in this market:

* Research / IP companies: researching OLEDs, trying to get hold of important patents relating to OLED manufacture, OLED materials and related inventions.

* Chemical companies: mostly involved in OLED material production and IP

* OLED manufacturers: the actual panel makers

* OLED gadget companies or resellers: companies that embed OLEDs in their products (cell phones, TVs, etc.) or simply resell those panels.

Another thing to keep in mind is that there are competing techs within the OLED world – Polymer based OLEDs vs Small Molecules, for examples. So even if OLED are booming, it might be that not all OLED companies will benefit…

Here are some suggestions for publicly traded OLED companies:

Small companies, who focus on OLEDs are more risky, but the rewards here may be larger.

* Universal Display Corporation: UDC is an OLED research company, and one of the field’s pioneers. UDC is involved in OLED IP, and holds many patent, related to the commercialization of OLEDs, and also related to flexible,t ransparent, stacked and phosphorescent (PHOLED) displays and lighting panels.

UDC licenses its OLED production IP, and also sells chemical materials to be used in the production process. UDC lists Samsung SDI, CMEL, Konica Minolta and Kyocera as its licensees. UDC is working with many other companies, including LG, Sony, DuPont and Novaled. UDC claims that “all AMOLEDs on the market use our technology”.

Universal Display lists in the NASDAQ (ticker PANL).

# eMagin: eMagin is engaged in virtual imaging products that utilize OLEDs, OLED-on-silicon micro displays and information technology solutions. Focused on Micro displays, eMagin is selling its micro displays to companies that incorporate them into products such as cameras, army helmets or headsets, etc. eMagin trades in the AMEX Stock Exchange (Ticker is EMAN.OB, OTC).

Other companies: (note that some of these companies are very large, and the OLED business is only a small part and is not expected to make a major impact on the stock price)

* AixtronAG: a provider of deposition equipment to the semiconductor industry. The Company’s technology solutions are used by a diverse range of customers world wide to build advanced components for electronic and opto-electronic applications based on compound, silicon, or organic semiconductor materials. Aixtron has introduced Organic Vapor Phase Deposition (OVPD) Equipment, which was exclusively licensed to Aixtron by UDC.
Aixtron trades in the NASDAQ (ticker AIXG) and in the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

* AU Optronics: AUO was formed in 2001, by the merger of Acer Display and Unipac Optoelectronics. Later in 2006 AUO merged with Quanta Display. AUO is the world’s number 3 manufacture of TFT-LCDs, and has renewed its AMOLED program in 2009 (they are currently not selling any OLEDs). AUO trades in Taiwan’s stock exchange (2409) and in the NYSE (ticker AUO).

* Densitron Display Solutions: a manufacturer and supplier of standard and customised display modules utilising OLED, TFT, CSTN, Monochrome and Touch Screen technology. Densitron lists on UK’s AIM stock exchange.

* Dupont: DuPont is developing innovative and sustainable solutions that improve display performance, reduce production costs and enable next-generation technologies across a broad range of applications, including LCDs, OLEDs, plasma display panels (PDPs) and field emission displays (FEDs). Dupont trades on the NYSE (ticker DD).

* Eastman Kodak: Eastman Kodak Company is engaged primarily in developing, manufacturing and marketing traditional and digital imaging products, services and solutions. OLEDs were originally found and patented by Kodak, which are working on OLEDs for displays and lighting. Kodak aims to license its technology with partners, and will not manufacture OLED panels directly. Kodak trades in the NASDAQ (ticker EK).

* General Electric: GE is a diversified industrial corporation, and operations include engines, military, wind turbines, locomotives, lighting and financial services. GE are working towards OLED Lighting. GE trades in the NYSQ (ticker GE).

* Idemitsu Kosan: is a Japanese company, founded in 1911, to engage in oil distribution, and over the years they have gained experience in fuel products and basic chemicals, plastics, electronic materials and OLED materials. Idemitsu Kosan are working with Sony, LG Display and UDC. IK trades in the Tokyo stock exchange, ticker is 5019.

* Konica Minolta: Konica Minolta is a japanese company, involved in copiers, printers, medical equipment, optical devices and a film used to enhance picture quality in liquid crystal displays. KM is researching OLED for lighting, announced a partnership with GE and aims to have product on the market before 2010. KM has licenced OLED IP from UDC. KM trades in Tokyo’s stock exchange (ticker 4902).

* LG Display: LG Display is a large maker of displays for TVs, computer screens and mobile devices. LG Display is making AMOLED displays, and are also working toward flexible OLEDs. LG display trades in the Korean Exchange, ticker 034220. It also trades as an ADR in the NYSE (ticker LPL).

* OSRAM Opto Semiconductors: a wholly owned subsidiary of OSRAM – who employs more than 35,000 people throughout the world. OSRAM is a leading supplier and manufacturer of solid-state lighting solutions with a strategic focus on OLED technology.

* Philips: one of the world’s biggest electronics companies and Europe’s largest. It is involved in many areas, and one of the world’s leaders in lighting. Philips is working on OLED lighting, and are already shipping samples. Philips trades in both the Euronext (ticker PHIA) and the NYSE (ticker PHG).

* Seiko Epson: Seiko Epson is a global corporation based in Japan that is at the forefront of technological revolutions in imaging, robotics, precision machinery and electronics. Seiko Epson are working towards inkjet printable OLEDs. Seiko Epson lists on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Ticker is JP:6724).

* Samsung Mobile Displays: SMD is a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung. This company was formed from Samgung SDI’s and Electronics’ OLED units in 2008. Samsung MD is mass-producing color OLED displays, and is involved in both AMOLED and PMOLED, primarily for the mobile phone display market. It is the largest AMOLED panel maker, and are also working on larger panels, OLED lighting, flexible and transparent OLEDs. Samsung lists on the Korean Stock Exchange (Ticker is SSNGY), and SMD lists as Samsung SDI (006400.KS).

* Sony: Sony is one of the leading consumer electronics companies in the world. Sony has an OLED research program, mostly geared towards large displays (OLED TVs). Sony trades as an ADR in the NYSE (ticker SNE).

* Sumitomo Chemicals: has been established in 1913, and since then has been researching and producing industrial chemicals and materials. Sumitomo has been working with CDT on PLED materials, and has acquired the company in July 2007. Sumitomo plans to produce OLED TVs, and have teamed up with Panasonic to make 40″ and larger sets by 2010. Sumitomo trades in the Tokyo stock exchange (ticker 4005).

Laser TV Versus OLED TV – Which Technology Wins?

Laser TV – What Is It?

There is much hype around this type of TV, yet the technology has been around for a number of years. The term Laser TV refers to the principle of literally firing a laser onto the inside of a TV screen in order to produce an excellent quality image. This process is more efficient in producing an image compared to our current plasma and LCD TVs. When you consider the range of colors that are visible to the a human eye (known as color gamut), plasma and LCD can only manage to produce 40% of these colors, whereas laser TV technology can produce an excellent 90%.

The Technology Behind Laser TV

Lets take a simple look at the principle behind the technology, to truly understand how it works.

Current TV technology produces red, green and blue light (RGB). In principle it is possible to combine these three colors to produce a complete full range of visible colors, however in reality, visual displays are only capable of displaying a limited range of these colors. However, in a Laser TV, three distinct wavelengths are used, these are simply light beams which project accurately and brightly onto the screen, producing brilliant blacks.

The whole technology is based around the principle of projection, with this in mind Laser TVs are a perfect improvement on our current rear projection TVs, these are TVs whose images are projected from the rear of the TV on to the back of the screen. A typical rear projection display tends to measure from 50 inchs to 100 inches and are regularly used in public spaces. It is the ultra High Performance Lamp (UHP) which is the basis for the technology, however laser technology essentially replaces this and as a result very much suits the larger screen size.

What Laser TVs Are Available To Buy?

Mitsubishi became the first manufacturer ever to make a commercial Laser TV available to consumers in stores in November 2008. Aptly named Laservue, this TV was priced at around $7,000. A little pricey for today’s market. The Laservue is available in 65 inch or 73 inch versions and is also 3D ready and as you would expect these days it is perfect for wall mounting.

Rumors of Toshiba entering the market are spreading rapidly. Whether many other manufacturers wish to enter the race remains to be seen.

LASER TV vs. OLED – How They Stack Up?

To be honest, as the two technologies stand at the moment, Laser TV is suited to one end of the TV market and OLED the other. Laser TV technology currently suits the large display market and at present OLED technology suits the smaller display market, of course this will change as both develop over time. The two technologies are not yet going head to head in the TV market.

Take a look at the features of each:

LASER TV:
- Wider range of colors displayed (roughly doubling standard HDTV’s)
- The intensity of the laser is maintained for the lifespan of the TV, meaning a high

quality image is maintained throughout the life of the TV, unlike current HDTV
technology

- Laser TVs utilize roughly a quarter of power used by current TV technology

- Laser TVs tend to be half the weight of current HDTV’s

- First TV commercially available in 65 and 73 inch versions

OLED TV:
- Excellent image quality at 1000000:1 contrast ratio
- Better image quality means wider viewing angle of 180 degrees
- Ultra thin screens measuring 3mm thin
- Power consumption is less that current technology since no backlight is required
- First TV commercially available in 11inchs

So What Are The Disadvantages?

There always seems to be a worry around any laser technology, scare mongers will raise issues around potential eye damage from a laser should a Laser TV become damaged. These concerns are yet to be proven. However it is suggested that special filters can be fitted within the TV to remove this potential fret.

Another concern is the speckle effect. Laser TV technology can produce an effect on the human eye which resembles speckling, this is caused by a number of waves joining together to produce a wave with varying intensity. This issue is being addressed by manufacturers, expect this to be overcome in near future.

Which Technology Wins? – Laser Or OLED

Laser TVs are on sale now and available to all….well to most, if your bank balance can support it and your home is large enough. If this suits your circumstance then Laser TV is a possibility for you at this time. OLED TV is cheaper by comparison, but not at the prices the average consumer would be happy with and screen sizes do not reflect what we have become used to for our homes.

As yet, laser technology has a way to develop, as more manufacturers take up the challenge. Prices should decrease and so will screen sizes. Likewise OLED screen sizes are set to increase. There does seem to be more of a buzz and excitement in the industry around OLED. Image wise these two technologies are truly head and shoulders above the rest and once these TVs truly develop and become TVs we can afford and want in our homes then there could be more of a head to head battle.

Which technology is better you ask? Considering all other factors, at this stage, it is just too early to tell.

Sony Oled XEL-1

Sony have just released the first consumer OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) television.

Sony Oled XEL-1

This is the world’s 1st OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) TV that is available to the public, we were able to see this OLED in action just a few weeks ago, These TV’s make high end LCD’s & Plasma’s look out dated,  The Sony Oled XEL-1 features 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, is only 3.3mm thick. (see below)

Sony OLED XEL-1 Side view

Over the past few years television has come along way in terms of technology and advancements but nothing on the market has turned heads and impressed the way the OLED development has.

Quick Specs:

• XMB™ (XrossMediaBar™)
• Incredible Thinness 3.3mm
• 1,000,000 : 1 contrast ratio
• Excellent Color Reproduction
• Energy Efficiency (Uses 40% less power compared with a standard 20″ LCD panel)
• MPEG Noise Reduction (Award wining technology from the Sony BRAVIA series

OLED technology produces spontaneous control of light emitted from the organic material layer. This enables real time natural images of fast-moving action, unlike LCD’s and Plasma TV’s OLED does not need to advertise refresh rates as many older TV companies do with existing lines, as the image you see is instant.

Please read the rest of this article to view more Images. Read more…