Quantum dot displays may be the future of HDTVs

As with most electronic devices, the industry moves fast. TVs are no exception and have quickly progressed from cathode ray tubes to the popular LED displays of today. Although many have pointed to 3D technology as the next big thing, the real breakthrough might just be quantum dots.

Unlike LCDs, LEDs or OLEDs, quantum dots do not rely on different chemicals to produce different colors. Alternatively, these nanoscale structures are given their distinct hue based upon only their size. This means that a single material can be used to create an entire display (consisting of red, green and blue emitters, among others), reducing the inherent manufacturing costs.

A secondary advantage of the technology is that it is both environmentally friendly and relatively easy to commercialize. The continuous flow process is not only green, but makes scaling from small volumes to large ones quite efficient. The materials involved are also non-toxic and do not contain the rare earth metals that often drive up prices.

In describing the technology, CEO Stephen Squires of Quantum Materials, explained, “Tetrapod Quantum Dots ultimately allow for lower display manufacturing costs due to their superior luminescence and much lower incidence of aggregation. Far fewer quantum dots are required to achieve the same level of performance.”

Perhaps the most exciting thing about these “QD-LED” displays is that mass production may come sooner than you think. New reports suggest that a major Asian electronics manufacturer is joining forces with Quantum Materials to make quantum dot TVs a reality. This news is very encouraging, especially when one considers all of the benefits: it’s lighter, brighter, provides enhanced contrast, and is more energy efficient than current offerings.

Furthermore, if a 2013 report published by Wintergreen Research is to be trusted, once one manufacturer takes the plunge, the rest will have no other choice but to follow suit. In the competitive TV industry, no company wants to be left in the dust.

Google launches 1Gbps Fiber network in Kansas City, unveils TV service

Google has officially flipped the switch on its first self-built, high-speed citywide network today. Lucky residents of Kansas City on both sides of the Kansas - Missouri state line are now able to get 1,000 Mbps download and upload speeds with no monthly bandwidth caps and no overages. The service also includes 1TB of cloud storage, access to a new Google Fiber Television service, and a few other goodies.

Google’s TV service includes traditional channels from major broadcast networks, "hundreds of fiber channels”, on-demand content from services such as Netflix and YouTube, and optional premium movie channels for an additional fee. It offers a fully searchable interface and DVR functionality for up to 500 hours of HD content.

Several TVs within the home can tune in at the same time by hooking each of them up to a small set-top box that also acts as a wireless hotspot. Additionally each home installation requires a Network Box, which offers gigabit routing, Wi-Fi, four ethernet ports, and "simple network management,” and an identical looking Storage Box with 2TB of space to serve as the DVR for all devices in the house.

Google is also making a remote app for iOS and Android tablets that will support video streaming in an upcoming version, and they’re even throwing in a Nexus 7 at no extra charge with every TV package.

There’s an initial $300 construction fee to get the fiber installed at your house but Google is currently waiving it and offering three different packages: Gigabit Internet + TV for $120 a month, an Internet-only plan for $70 a month, and the option to pay the $300 construction fee and get 5Mbps internet access for free for "at least" seven years. Key institutions are getting the full gigabit access for free as well.

Google will deploy the fiber network in areas where there is most interest first. Kansas City residents can vote on where the next rollout should be by paying a $10 fee to preregister.

Sony and Panasonic to co-develop cheap OLED panels for TVs

Sony and Panasonic have announced plans to jointly developnext generation OLED panels for use in televisions and large-sized displays. The two companies will each utilize their core and printing technologies to mass produce low-cost panels starting next year.

The venture might seem like a desperate attempt to remain afloat but with other vendors dominating the television market and the technology behind it, it might not be a bad idea after all. The duo will work together to develop the panels but each will continue to sell their own branded products.

The two companies are well-versed in producing sets as it was Sony that introduced the world’s first OLED TV back in 2007 with the XEL-1. This set had a screen size of 11-inches, a native resolution of 960 x 540 and was the world’s thinnest television at 3mm when it debuted.

LG and Samsung are responsible for a large portion of television profits. Sony has had an especially tough time in this market as their television line hasn’t been profitable in eight years. Last month they announced the largest loss in the company’s 55-year history. They plan to turn things around with the “One Sony” initiative that will focus efforts on gaming, mobile and digital imaging.

New OLED sets from Sony and Panasonic could reach customers by late 2013 or early 2014 and with any luck, some of the savings in development costs will be passed along to the buyer.

Sony pulls out of LCD joint venture with Samsung

Sony has agreed to end a seven-year-old S-LCD joint venture with Samsung Electronics and sell its nearly 50 percent stake to the South Korean company for $940 million. The move comes as Sony expects to record its eighth consecutive annual loss for its TV business in 2011 amid sluggish demand.

The Japanese firm will switch to cheaper outsourcing for LCD panels from Samsung and others rather than investing in their production, while Samsung pushes ahead with next-generation displays and S-LCD as a wholly owned subsidiary.

Sony, which is currently the world's third largest TV manufacturer behind Samsung and LG, will take a charge of about 66 billion yen ($846 US million) in the quarter ending December 31 after the deal closes. Despite the one-time loss, the company says the transaction will result in substantial savings going forward.

Over the past few years Sony has sold off TV factories in Spain, Slovakia and Mexico. It still retains four TV plants in Japan, Brazil, China and Malaysia. Some analysts say the $100 billion LCD TV market peaked last year and forecast it will shrink 3 to 4 percent annually. Looking to play it safe, Sony said in April it would not raise its stake in a separate LCD venture with Sharp for at least a year, and in August announced it would merge its small-panel business with the government-backed Japan Display.

Meanwhile, LCD manufacturers have been under increased scrutiny in the last few years for their alleged price-fixing practices. Though none of them actually admitted guilt, in a recent settlement Samsung, Sharp, LG Display, Hitachi and Chimei paid an estimated $388 million for their cartel activities. The settlement followed at least three more rounds of fines related to price fixing that go back to 2008.