The world of premium television is witnessing a seismic shift as RGB technology emerges as a formidable challenger to OLED’s long-held dominance. Unveiled at CES 2023 in Las Vegas, the latest advancements in display technology promise to redefine the ultimate viewing experience by addressing the limitations of traditional OLED displays.
At the forefront of this innovation are microscopic red, green, and blue (RGB) LEDs, which replace conventional backlighting and color filters. This development is aimed at overcoming the peak brightness constraints of OLED, offering a new frontier in the quest for superior image quality.
Micro RGB and RGB Mini LED: The New Contenders
The introduction of RGB technology has sparked a new arms race among television manufacturers. Two distinct variants have emerged: micro RGB and RGB mini LED. Micro RGB technology employs sub-100μm LEDs to achieve exceptional brightness and precise color control, combining the perfect blacks of OLED with the durability of inorganic LEDs.
Samsung has taken the lead with its colossal 130-inch micro RGB TV, designed to create an immersive viewing experience akin to looking through a vast window. LG, too, is investing heavily in this technology, particularly in the Australian market, bypassing the intermediate mini RGB step.
Meanwhile, Hisense has pioneered the RGB mini LED variant, enhancing it with a fourth backlight color, ‘Sky Blue – Cyan,’ to expand the color spectrum. This innovation underpins their new flagship 116-inch UX TV series, showcasing the potential of this technology.
OLED: The Gold Standard Faces Challenges
OLED has long been revered for its ability to produce perfect blacks and stunning image fidelity, thanks to its self-emissive pixels made of organic material. Each pixel can be individually turned off, resulting in an infinite contrast ratio and remarkable realism.
However, OLED displays have struggled with lower peak brightness and the risk of image retention or “burn-in.” Manufacturers like LG are addressing these issues with advancements such as ‘hyper radiant color technology,’ which promises to increase luminance significantly.
Mini LED and QLED: The Evolution of LCD
While OLED and RGB technologies capture the spotlight, traditional LCD-based displays continue to evolve. Mini LED technology enhances LCDs by using thousands of tiny LEDs for backlighting, offering high peak brightness and improved black control through local dimming zones.
QLED, Samsung’s proprietary technology, employs quantum dots to produce vibrant colors when illuminated by an LED backlight. Known for their excellent color volume and brightness, QLEDs remain a compelling choice despite their inability to achieve the perfect blacks of self-emissive displays.
The AI Revolution in Television
As display technologies advance, the integration of artificial intelligence is set to transform televisions into intelligent hubs. AI processors are being utilized to upscale content to 4K/8K, enhance picture quality, and personalize viewing experiences.
Generative AI platforms like Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot are enabling users to search for content and interact with their TVs in unprecedented ways. AI sound controllers further enhance the experience by customizing audio settings, such as isolating commentary or crowd noise during sports events.
The Future of Television
While OLED continues to reign supreme in terms of contrast, the rapid advancements in RGB technology signal a fierce competition for the future of television. The massive investments and innovations in RGB highlight its potential to deliver the ultimate combination of contrast, color purity, and brightness.
The battle for TV supremacy is far from over, and consumers stand to benefit from the ongoing quest for the perfect viewing experience. As manufacturers push the boundaries of technology, the future of television promises to be brighter and more vibrant than ever before.
By the Numbers:
- Samsung’s 130-inch micro RGB TV aims to redefine immersive viewing.
- LG focuses on micro RGB technology in the Australian market.
- Hisense introduces ‘Sky Blue – Cyan’ in its RGB mini LED variant.
- LG’s ‘hyper radiant color technology’ increases OLED luminance up to 3.9 times.
The author attended CES 2023 in Las Vegas with support from Samsung, LG, and Hisense.
