Solid state TDEL flat panel HDTVs -- still -- coming soon
by Richard Lawler 
posted May 17th 2006 at 2:46PM
Cheaper than LCDs and plasmas plus better picture quality in a 1-inch thick flat panel HDTV? That's what iFire has been promising for a while now and it may be one step closer to reality. Their parent company Westaim hopes to bring the thick-film dielectric electroluminescent technology (TDEL) screens to market in 2007 at a price point of less than $1000 for a 34-inch model. It involves no gases, liquids or vacuums and requires no backlighting. Instead the materials are layered directly onto the glass which they say provides better PQ and a wider viewing angle, with half the production cost of LCDs. Much like the fabled SEDs which we still haven't seen, we've been looking out for these since Engadget first mentioned them in 2004. If/when either technology debuts, it will be very interesting to see how it affects the existing high definition flat screen market.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Big Sam @ May 17th 2006 2:51PM
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Eagle117 @ May 17th 2006 3:12PM
You might want to correct the statment about the cost. Per the article:
the company targets a $300 production cost for the 34 inch model that could retail for $1,000.
Craig Weems @ May 17th 2006 4:09PM
By the time it gets to production the cost of 34" LCD's will be $200 selling for $600 which will only result in another press release promising delivery next year...
Vman @ May 17th 2006 7:02PM
Good point Craig.
Neomoon @ May 17th 2006 7:58PM
What type of native resolutions are we talking about with these monitors? Give me at LEAST 1280x720! Then I'll concider it. Resolution is my first buying point, next comes price.
jim @ May 17th 2006 9:25PM
hrm.. intel - lcos kinda comes to mind...
kjunleashed @ Oct 19th 2006 9:51AM
The quality is excellent.
They are waiting for the right deal, and the first manufacturer that signs up will do very well, while the rest will suffer.
I think this stock is going places and I am buying lots.