New York (NY) - Sony's organic light-emitting diode (OLED) TV has been drawing a lot of attention, but at least according to one research firm Sony has been a little over-zealous with its claims.

The Sony XEL-1 was released earlier this year when it was unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show.  The $2500 TV is notable because it is the first in the US that uses OLED technology.

The infant technology allows manufacturers to make TVs that have a super-bright picture and slim form factor, and uses significantly less power.

Sony claims that the XEL-1 maintains its brightness for 10 years, or around 30,000 hours.  However, DisplaySearch tested out two units and found that they would lose half their brightness in just 17,000 hours of use.

"The results demonstrate that the Sony display is significantly inferior in many ways to the current designs," said researchers at DisplaySearch.  The firm also added that low longevity is one of the big problems with OLED technology.

Sony said it continues to stand by its claims, which are made from its own interal testing.

Even 17000 hours is good enough for me.

May 08, 2008 10:34     

A typical family won't watch for more than 3 hours a day. Let's double that number to 6 hours a day, one year would turn out to be roughly 2000 hours a year. So 17000 hours means 8 years for MOST families. Plus, It's so bright that 50% brightness would still be enough. I am not saying SONY could claim 30000 hour panel life but I think the technology is ready for commercial use. So, manufacturers should study to reduce production cost. I don't want to see OLED technology turns out to be another SED.

Roy report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +10

English

May 08, 2008 10:40     

Just an English comment. "Over-exaggerating" is not correct English. Exaggerate means to overstate.
Steve report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

Beats the life span of my bulb

May 08, 2008 11:53     

My rear screen projection dlp lost half its brightness after 2000 hours, and burnt out after 4000. At $400 a bulb I will spend more to keep my tv going than for the OLED. However, Mine is much bigger.
Kyle report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

waiting for prices to come down

May 08, 2008 14:00     

I am waiting for prices of the OLED tv to come down before trying them. The price is too steep. Even at 17,000 hours, it seems like a long time. With people upgrading every couple of years, it would probably be replaced before it wears out. :) If some one bought me one, I will check to see how long it lasts. :)
TomLeeM/BigWarpGuy report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

other site to check out

May 08, 2008 14:01     

http://www.oled-display.net Here is more reviews on it. http://www.oled-display.net/oled-television
TomLeeM/BigWarpGuy report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

This thing is only 11 inches

May 08, 2008 15:40     

I know that its new technology, but isn't this already in high- end laptops for much cheaper? besides its only 11 inches
Alec report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -3

Re: only 11 inches

May 08, 2008 18:59     

Alec, The technology that is in laptops right now is LED backlighting. It's still a standard LCD, but the fluorescent tube has been replaced by LEDs.
Ian report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

OLED

May 08, 2008 22:00     

OLED is still the way to go for the future unless something better comes along.
Action Jackson report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

I laugh

May 09, 2008 04:29     

When OLEDs were invented all the scientist went wild, because it would be so much cheaper to manufacture. The tech is so simple that you could print basic screens with a modified ink-jet printer. $2500$ Trust the commercial sector to F#&$ up a good thing. Oh well. In general manufacturing for just about everything has become so cheap that companies have to do market research to determine what they should ask for something. And since everybody is going: "Gimme! Gimme! More! More! Newer! Newer! Hungry! Hungry!" Like a week old baby bird, because of that the prices are so freaking high.

Sq7 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

Steve... you are not as smart as you think you are

May 12, 2008 17:44     

overexaggerating where as exaggerating is to extend something to a believable untruth.... over exaggerate is to extend something to an unbelievable untruth. that fish you caught yesterday did not weighed 300 pounds, your overexaggerating.
RockHop report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1