SED = Surface-conduction electron-emitter display

Surface-conduction Electron-emitter Display (SED) is a flat panel display technology that uses surface conduction electron emitters for every individual display pixel. The surface conduction electron emitter emits electrons that excite a phosphor coating on the display panel, the same basic concept found in traditional cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions. This means that SEDs can combine the slim form factor of LCDs with the high contrast ratios, refresh rates and overall better picture quality of CRTs. Canon also claims that SED consumes less power than LCD displays. The surface conduction electron emitter apparatus consists of a thin slit across which electrons tunnel when excited by moderate voltages (tens of volts). When the electrons cross electric poles across the thin slit, some are scattered at the receiving pole and are accelerated toward the display surface by a large voltage gradient (tens of kV) between the display panel and the surface conduction electron emitter apparatus. The technology has been developed since 1987.Toshiba and Canon announced a joint development agreement originally targeting commercial production of an SED display by the end of 2005, but commercial products are now likely to first be available in 2006. During the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show, Toshiba showed working prototypes of SED displays to attendees, and indicated expected availability in mid-to-late 2006.[1] Toshiba and Canon have since pushed their plan to sell the television sets to the fourth quarter of 2007. For this to happen they plan to start mass production in July 2007, coming to full speed in halfway 2008.
Toshiba Corp. and Canon Inc. are investing ¥180 billion (US$1.7 billion) to build a factory that will make panels for a new type of flat-panel TV based on SED (surface-conduction electron-emitter display) technology. The investment is being split evenly between the companies for the factory at an existing Toshiba site in western Japan, in Himeji. Construction will begin later this year and the factory will start producing 15,000 50-inch panels per month in 2008, according to Hiroko Mochida, a spokeswoman for Toshiba.
Analysts think all the delays will give LCD screens a chance to further drop in price, thus becoming harder to compete with. Toshiba cited pricing pressure as a reason for the delay, making the circle complete.

SEDTV Prototyp:

55 Zoll
Full HDTV
450 nits brightness
50:000:1 contrast
1 ms response time