Futuristic Sony XEL-1 OLED TV heralds a flatpanel revolution

Like robot servants, solar-powered hovercars and affordable energy bills, OLED has been touted as the future, but unlike those other examples, it's actually become a reality. Here the tech is wrapped up as a fully-functioning desktop television which sells in the UK for the princely sum of £3,500.

Admittedly, it's in miniature form, with an 11in screen and titchy pedestal, and the whole package costs a small fortune (no pun intended), but it works, man. It works.

A gorgeous screen
The screen, as hobbitesque as it may be, is gorgeous -in spite of the 960 x 540 pixel resolution. Because of its diminutive nature, there seems little need for a higher pixel count, the individual cells are already so small that you can't see them. I'd even go as far to say that there's a sharpness exhibited by the XEL-1 that a 60in Full HD panel would find hard to match.

But what's more extraordinary and, most importantly, unique to the technology is the ability to turn each pixel completely on or completely off with zero light bleed.
This results in astonishing black levels, even more so than with the latest Kuro plasma TVs, and an unsubstantiated and ultimately immeasurable contrast ratio of more than 1,000,000:1.

Back in black
With great black level response comes great sense of depth. Small, yes, but pictures on this Sony are almost three dimensional, remarkable seeing as the screen is a mere 3mm thick.

That's without counting the bezel and solid pedestal, admittedly. The UK edition is expected to feature four tiny micro speakers (one mounted in each corner of the screen) but, then, the rest of the telly part of the equation needs to go somewhere. UK consumers should consider themselves fortunate indeed, as the Japanese model reviewed here barks out sound like a bronchial Chihuahua.

Nonetheless, the visible display is incredibly and impressively slim - especially considering the vibrant picture performance. Just think of the possibilities. A flatpanel that's actually completely flat?
ith images offering window-like clarity?

However, as good as this reassuringly pricey boy's toy may be, Sony's slice of the future is to be taken for exactly what it is, a tempting taste of what may be to come. As a viable purchase, it's currently best viewed as a desk plaything for the blessed of pocket. It's awesome in quality, but the visual area is too diminutive to watch a DVD or broadcast for any length of time.
Still, we'll all absolutely want one when they arrive.

HCC verdict 5/5

To read the story behind the Sony XEL-1, read our feature here.