In what could prove to be another technology cul-de-sac, the launch of laser TV scheduled for this Christmas has been delayed until the new year by Mitsubishi Digital Electronics.

Compared alongside a Plasma screen in 2007 by Novalux, producers of optical chips integral to the new technology, Jean-Michel Pelaprat, commented at the time that plasma was "now something of the past", and that laser TVs had the ability to produce twice the range of colours of LCD/Plasma while being thinner, lighter and less energy intensive.

While the laser screen achieved some plaudits compared alongside its plasma contemporaries, launch of an actual consumer product under Mitsubishi and Samsung brands has proved to be a little more elusive.

At half the price, and using quarter of the electricity of conventional plasma and LCD TVs and being half the weight and depth of a plasmas there is understandably much interest in the new technology. With the technology's ability to increase the colour content from 30-35% of what the eye can see to 90%, laser screens have certainly wetted industry insiders appetites.

With mass produced OLED TV's on the horizon however, and massive continued investment in LCD and Plasma TV's, it remains to be seen whether the technology can make a true impact on the flat screen market.