Wetting our appetite once again for the TV technology that requires no backlight, LG have suggested that they will launch a 40in OLED TV in time for the 2012 Olympics.

Although we have been treated to smaller versions of the technology, Sony introducing an 11in OLED screen in 2008 and LG bringing a 15in model to the market in 2009, hopes of large screen OLED TV's have been consistently dashed.

At the 'Display Week' exhibition in 2009, Samsung introduced 14.1in and 31in OLED TV's that were 'production ready'. Adding that they had refined electro fine forming "Full Metal Mask" technology, to cost effectively mass produce OLED screens, they gave us all hope that large OLED screens were on the horizon.

Sony have also tantalized an expectant market by unveiling a 27in OLED prototype in 2009 and another screen based on the technology which is just 0.3mm thick. A consumer version of anything larger than their 11in XEL-1 is yet to materialize.

OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) technology is based on organic materials which emit light naturally after an electrical charge is passed through them. OLED pixels generate their own light which brings a whole host of technological advantages. Every OLED prototype we have seen produces brighter, sharper images while using less power than any plasma or LCD TV.

Having introduced a 15in OLED panel in 2009, LG planned to release a 20in OLED TV in 2010, a 30in panel in 2011 and a 40in screen by 2012. To be fair to the big manufacturers, the TV market has been tough and OLED technology is expensive. Introducing any new product is a risky business, even more so in the prevailing economic climate.

While the introduction of mass market large OLED TV's has stalled, we can't imagine that it will be to long before we are all treated to a technology which makes even the best Plasma and LCD TV's look dull and lifeless ...

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