Sony, based in Japan, is one of the leading consumer electronics companies in the world. Sony has been a pioneer in display industries for many years.
In 2012 Sony demonstrated the first micro-LED TV (55", Full-HD) which they termed Crystal-LED. Sony's 55" Crystal-LED never reached the market, but in 2016 the company unveiled its large-area outdoor micro-LED displays which Sony calls Canvas Display, or CLEDIS.
Over the years Sony released several generations of CLEDIS displays, and announced several large-area installations - see below for the latest news. In 2019 Sony started offering MicroLED Canvas displays for ultra-premium residential installations.
The latest Sony MicroLED news:
Sony installs a curved 8K Crystal LED used for aerospace 3D simulations
A large US-government contractor in the aerospace sector installed a curved 8K 9.7 x 2.7 meters Sony Crystal LED display, used for internal and external design briefings. The display was installed on a custom frame and base, as close to the floor as possible, which creates a portal-like effect.
This large microLED tiled display was installed by Mechdyne, which provided the design, integration and virtual reality expertise.
Buying a microLED TV in 2021
Many believe that MicroLED technology will emerge as the next-generation display technology, and one of the first markets for such displays is the TV market. Several companies already offer microLED TVs - which you can already buy today. Assuming you have the money and a large enough room, that is.
As is often the case with new technologies, especially in the display industry, the first few years are marked with extremely high prices and limited selection. MicroLED TVs are no exception - as of 2021, they target the very high-end premium market, with very large TVs and prices starting at around $100,000.
But let's assume you really want to buy a microLED TV and can afford it. What are your options today?
Sony announces two new Crystal LED displays, the B-series and C-series with upgraded performance
Sony introduced its next-generation microLED display technology (direct-view LED as the company calls it), the high contrast Crystal LED C-series (ZRD-C12A/C15A) and the high brightness B-series (ZRD-B12A/B15A).
The new display modules offer two pixel pitch sizes (in both series), 1.26 mm and 1.56 mm and are equipped with Sony's "X1 for Crystal LED" image quality processor, which features Sony's signal processing technology and microLED control technology. Other features include high-quality and high-resolution upscaling, Sony's Motionflow technology for smooth and artifact-free pictures without motion blur, 22 bit Super Bit Mapping, 120 fps (HFR) and HDR.
Sony to soon unveil a new microLED display technology?
Sony published a teaser video that says the company will unveil the "next breakthrough" in directview display technology" on January 6th. It is likely that Sony will release a new MicroLED display technology:
Sony was the the first company to introduce micro-LED large-area displays with its launch of the Crystal LED (also called Canvas LED, or CLEDIS) displays in 2016. The company introduced its displays to the residential market in September 2020.
Sony brings its Crystal LED microLED displays to the residential market
Sony was the first company to introduce micro-LED large-area displays with its launch of the Crystal LED (also called Canvas LED, or CLEDIS) displays in 2016. Now Sony is introducing this groundbreaking display type to the residential market.
Crystal LED displays are made from tiled LED modules, each 403x453 mm in size and with a resolution of 320x360. The displays offer HDR support (peak luminance is 1,000 nits), 10-bit grayscale support, high frame rate (up to 120p) and a freedom of design.
Sony reveals its Cystal-LED MicroLED display prices in Europe
HDTVTest posted an interesting video showing Sony's 110" Crystal-LED micro-LED display at Sony's Basingstoke UK office, at a joint event organized with AWE, a Sony distributor in Europe. The reviewer is highly positive about Sony's Micro-LED display quality:
AWE offers Sony's Crystal LED displays, which are custom made, but the company did release a general price guideline:
- 146" display - 350,000 Euro ($390,000)
- 182" display - 500,000 Euro ($550,000)
- 219" display - 700,000 Euro ($780,000).
Two out of three SID Displays of Year Awards go to Micro-LED displays
The Society of Information Display (SID) revealed its 2019 display industry award winners, and interestingly two out of the three Display Of The Year Awards went to Micro-LED displays.
First up we have Samsung's modular The Wall display, made up of tiled and seamless micro-LED modules. The Wall was unveiled in January 2018 in a 146-inch installation. The Wall was officially launched in June 2018 when Samsung started to accept pre-orders, aiming to find customers in lobbies, museums, galleries, and retail spaces. It is estimated that the price of the 146" model is around $100,000. The Wall Professional features HDR 10+ and a peak brightness of 2,000 nits.
Sony to install a 16K 19 meters long Cledis microled display at Shiseido's Yokohama R&D center
Sony is set to install the world's largest micro-LED display - 16K (15360x4320) 19.2 x 5.4 meters "CLEDIS" panel that was installed at Shiseido new research center in Yokohama, Japan.
Sony is also creating its own 16K content specifically for this display, using a method it call “demosaicing” to create “quad ultra-high definition” footage.