AUO answer our FED display questions

With the support of manufacturer AU Optronics, FED technology is back--and promises to offer even better quality than OLED-based displays.  Obviously, we have plenty of questions about this new development, so we're glad that AUO has given us a few details.

We heard recently that the first commercially available version would probably be a 26'' monitor, aimed mostly at imaging professionals--but that just left us wanting to know more.

We got in touch with Yawen Hsiao from the firm's Corporate Communications department who told us a little more.

DigitalVersus: When will you be ready to demonstrate FED prototypes?

AUO: FET completed and demonstrated a 19" prototype in 2008.  We hope to demonstrate our own FED prototype in Q4 2010.

What advantages does FED technology have, compared to LCD and OLED screens?  Tell us about response time, viewing angles, contrast, brightness, price …

Because it's the only impulse-type display out of the three, FED is especially superior at producing images free of motion blur, which is an important feature appreciated by professional monitor users. To date, OLED, LCD, and PDP are known as hold-type displays liable to suffer ghosting. With special designs, LCD and OLED may attain impulse-like quality. However, the performance and cost are turn be compromised.

Note: documentation from AUO suggests that these FED displays will reach refresh rates of 240 Hz, so 3D won't be problem at all.  In fact, it should be possible to produce even better results than we currently enjoy.  As for contrast, current FED screens are already above 20 000:1, with blacks as dark as less than 0.01 cd/m².  Greys are encoded using 10 bits, unlike the 6-8 bits used in today's LCD screens.  Finally, one of FED's biggest advantages is that it will allow upscaling without adversely affecting the quality of the display and no dead pixels.

How big will FED screens be?

To start with, FED displays will be aimed at the professional market. Sizes ranging from 8" to 46" will be introduced in response to customer demand. 

Would it be only for monitors? What about other products?

AUO has a range of display technologies to meet various customer needs. We will collect feedback from customers to produce the right solutions. At hte moment, AUO views FED as a potential technology to challenge professional CRT and LCD monitors thanks to its superior image quality. We're not currently looking at mobile devices.

Our thanks to Yawen Hsiao from AU Optronics.

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