• by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, May 1, 2008

TV technology is so wonderful, I have yet to get on the HD bandwagon.

How's that, you say?

Why am I missing out on one of the biggest technology improvements to hit the business in several years? Because there is something better, of course. The next technology is here from Sony, who is proving me to be a master of my home electronic budget.

There is something called the organic light emitting diode, or O.L.E.D., that makes blacks blacker and whites whiter on TV screens. Pixels? They are so small, you can't see them even if you put your nose directly on the screen --- which is the only real way to watch TV.

Sony's first model is called the XEL-1 -- which, according to New York Times technology reviewer David Pogue, makes plasma and LCD HD televisions sets look like you're watching "cave drawings."

HD? Feh! Give me something closer to reality, not stick figures that I need fire to see. I'm guessing the picture is so good, reality TV programming will now be called super-reality TV or hyper-reality TV.

It should make the contestants on "America's Next Top Model" even more beautiful. It should make Donald Trump look even more sinister. What's not to like?

But there is a catch. I won't be able to have the guys over to watch the big game in front of this electronic wonder. That's because the first and only consumer product model available is only 11 inches wide -- about ¾ the size of your laptop. That means it'll be real good for watching turtles mate and fingernails grow.

In reality, the XEL is really a "concept car" of sorts -- something manufacturers use as show pieces for press-hungry consumers. But even with concept cars, there is always a bit of technology that catches on years later.

So, in that case, perhaps in 10 years or so, when the next generation of OLED TVs comes on line, I'll consider it.

Then again, I may wait for something better.