The HDMI Standard

The HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a standard for digital (vs. analogical) transmission of audio and video signals defined by a consortium gathering Hitachi, Matsushita, Philips, Silicon Image, Sony, Thomson and Toshiba. This standard also has the role to generalize, if not to impose, the DRM technology known as 'HDCP' (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection).

HDMI should eventually replace the classic Peritel SCART connector on all display units (e.g., DVD readers, satellite decoders, etc.). The most recent version of the standard is HDMI 1.3, which has been implemented in Sony's Playstation 3.

The OLED Technology

The Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) is a luminous display technology, whose first patent was granted in 1987 (to Kodak) and the first commercial application appeared around 1997.

This technology aims at gradually replacing Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD). In particular, OLED will initially replace LCD screens in small size applications (e.g., mobile telephones). Eventually, OLED is expected to replace LCD and other technologies (e.g., plasma) for screens of large sizes.

OLED technology has many advantages compared to LCD:

- Low electric consumption
- Better color rendering (100% of NTSC's diagram)
- Better contrast
- Wider angle of vision
- Thinness and flexibility of the display (it is unclear whether Polymer Vision's rollable screens use OLED or not)

The only weakness is the lifespan, which is not optimal yet (e.g. arount 10.000 hours).

Source: Wikipédia

The Jungle Of HD Labels

The multiplicity of HD logos and labels qualifying screens and projectors could easily lead you to confusion. To make sense out of it, here are a few definitions:

- HD Compatible: this generic label just means that the screen can display a 720p or 1080i source, but with a final resolution lower than these two standards. Hence, you should avoid it.

- HD Ready: this standard launched in June 2005 was defined by the EICTA (European Information & Communications Technology Industry Association) and in France by the HD Forum. It provides:

* The availability of both analogical and digital connectors (e.g., HDMI)
* The ability to display both 720p and 1080i sources
* A screen format of 16/9
* Compliance to the HDCP standard (which protects works against piracy)

- Full HD: this is currently the highest standard in terms of resolution as it provides a native resolution of 1920*1080, which corresponds to the 1080i. Although theoretically higher in quality compared to HD Ready, usage of the Full HD label is not subject to a schedule of conditions. Hence, pay attention to aspects other than the resolution (e.g., availability of digital connectors, etc.).

OLED Optimus Keyboard To Be Shortcut

The Optimus keyboard, designed by the Art Lebedev studio, is using OLED technology to display its keys. It will undergo modifications before its release.



For both technical and economical reasons (e.g., electric consumption, production costs), it was decided to remove the 11 additional keys of the original model and the four keys added to the numeric pad.

An Amazing and Futuristic Display Technology

Polymer Vision sells an amazing and futuristic rollable display technology: "a feather-light screen that unrolls from the phone or a tiny case to provide a larger, paper-like display that allows users to read content with ease".

"Many display technologies now offer flexibility, but only rollable displays have a bending radius of just 0.75 cm - which is why they can virtually 'disappear' into mobile devices. What's more, this isn't the only factor that makes rollable displays such an exciting option for mobile devices".