Toshiba in partnership with CANON Inc. JP has announced plans to shift development of their 40 inch flat panels televisions and up to the "SED (Surface-Conduction Electron-emitter Display)system. Since SEDs apply the same light emission theory as CRTs, they can provide dynamic color expressions, a sharp picture, and perform faster video response than LCDs and plasma display panels (PDPs). In addition, SEDs do not require electronic beam deflection unlike CRTs, which makes it possible to create screens of more than 40" in size that are only several centimeters thick. Low power consumption is another main feature of the new display technology.

Toshiba models 40 inches or less will continue as before. Toshiba also rebutted claims that they intend to pull out of the plasma market completely, even though they have not marketed new plasma display panel television products in Japan since last year. Mass production of the SED panel will start from around August 2005 - purchase availability is expected in the latter half of 2005. A company jointly established by Toshiba, Hitachi, Ltd. and other firms will mass-produce display panels for liquid crystal televisions.

- via impress.co.jp (japan)
- MORE on SED at Canon.com