Tiled microLEDs

An interesting video surfaced, showing a small (reportedly 38-inch) microLED monitor prototype by Samsung, shown at a trade show:

We do not have any more information, but this is an interesting demo by Samsung. It is estimated that the monitor has a resolution of FHD (1920x1080), if Samsung is using the same tiles as the ones used in its TVs. It could be that this is not a tiled display, but we simply do not know at this stage.

Taiwan-based Innolux demonstrated new microLED display prototypes: a wide 187-inch microLED tiled display, a 9.6" flexible automotive microLED prototype and a transparent microLED.

Innolux did not detail much about these new prototypes. All of its microLEDs are based on blue microLEDs with quantum dot color conversion, and LTPS backplanes on glass substrates. 

Last week during Touch Taiwan 2024, AUO demonstrated several new (and not new) microLED display prototypes. The company released this short video showing the displays in action:

AUO showed its large-area (60") microLED displays, its automotive microLED solutions (including transparent automotive displays), a 30" real-depth 3D microLED display for entertainment applications, medical-grade displays and a 31" microLED display that is a single panel (not a tiled display) - which AUO says is the world largest.

Samsung Electronics held a press event in China, launching its 2024 microLED TV lineup (in addition to its QLED and OLED TV ranges). The 2024 microLED TV lineup includes four 4K TV sizes, ranging from 76- to 114-inch.

Samsung says that it improved its microLED TV technology, offer enhanced contrast (using a new unexplained technology called 'micro-contrast technology') and color accuracy. The microLED TVs offers built-in 6.2.2 Dolby Atmos sound, and Samsung's latest NQ8 AI Gen 3 AI chipset. Interestingly, Samsung published the retail price of its microLED TVs:

Chinese TV producer TCL announced its first commercial microLED TV, the 163-inch 4K TV X11H Max. The TV offers an XDR peak brightness of 10,000 nits, 22bit+ color depth, extremely fast response speed (nanosecond level) and a lifetime of over 100,000 hours. The price is set at 799,999 Yuan, or around $110,000.

This is obviously an ultra-premium product, but it is great to see TCL formally enter the microLED market. TCL first demonstrated a prototype 163" microLED panels back in 2023. It is likely that this new tiled TV features an Oxide-TFT (IGZO) backplane.

Samsung, Sony, LG and others are producing commercial microLED panels, mostly for ultra-premium, signage and commercial applications. The ultra-large size displays are made from small microLED modules, seamlessly tiled together.

MicroLED technology makes it possible to connect two tiles in a way that retains exactly the same pixel pitch even at the tile connection (this is something that is challenging to do with OLED or LCD displays). When the displays are active, it is indeed very difficult to spot the seam. When the display is completely black however, this is not the case.

Visionox demonstrated a new microLED display prototype, a 58-inch tiled display, made from a matrix of 16 modules (each 14.5" in size). The display offers a 10-bit color depth, 240Hz refresh rate, and an ultra-high contrast.

Visionox says that the new display uses 25 um microLED chips, and utilizes China's first dedicated microLED driver IC and a TFT backplane (likely LTPS). From the image we have, it seems as if there are much more than 16 modules, and the seams are quite visible, this seems to be an early-stage display prototype.

Sony launches a new Crystal LED display, the VERONA, purpose-built to meet the needs of virtual production applications. Sony says that these new displays is tailored for filmmakers, bringing new levels of quality and efficiency to in-camera VFX applications.

For the VERONA, Sony developed new anti-reflection surface coating, which also enabled deeper blacks. Sony says that this innovative technology significantly reduces the difference in contrast between the image projected on the LED display and the actor(s) performing in front of it on set – blending virtual and real in a natural way, reducing time and cost required for post-shooting adjustments. VERONA displays also offer high brightness (1,500 nits), and a wide color gamut (97% DCI-P3). Most importantly the VERONA uses high performance LED drivers that support refresh rates up to 7,650Hz (!) to drastically reduce scanline artifacts on the camera.

LG Electronics launched a new MicroLED TV, the 118-inch 4K 120Hz LG MAGNIT (0.6 mm pixel pitch), targeting residential applications. Interestingly the brightenss is quite low, only 250 nits. The TV costs $237,000 - this is a highly expensive screen obviously targeting the top of the luxury TV market. 

The 118-inch TV is based on LG's webOS smart TV platform, and is powered by LG's Alpha 9 AI processor. It offers HDR10 and HDR10 Pro compatibility, AirPlay 2 and Miracast support, and integrated 50-watt speakers.

During the IFA 2023 tradeshow, China-based Konka is showing a 59" tiled microLED TV prototype screen. This is the smallest microLED TV shown to date - since Sony showed the world's first microLED display back in 2012.

It seems as if this display is an early-stage prototype. According to reports, the resolution is poor, the contrast is very low and the seam between the tiles is clearly visible. This is clearly not ready for commercialization. You can see the display in the video below, and indeed the seams are visible. The display is made by 16x9 modules, and it uses a PCB backplane.