Back in January 2007, a new TV technology appeared – the Laser TV. This video from that time explains how laser TVs work and shows the advantages:

The basic idea is simple: you put three lasers inside the TV (one red, one green and one blue) and then scan the beams across a rear-projection screen using mirrors. By scanning fast enough you eliminate flicker. The lasers are so bright that you get a great image.

The advantages include:

1) Brighter, better saturated picture, even at large sizes.

2) Wider color range and very precise colors

3) Better energy efficiency at large screen sizes – perhaps half the power of an LCD, even better compared to plasma.

4) Long life, since lasers don’t degrade.

5) Large screen sizes at relatively low cost.

6) 3-D capable because of high scan rates.

7) Thin screens compared to other rear-projection technologies

The video predicted that we would see laser TVs in about 18 months. And here they are, shown in a public demo yesterday:

LaserVue L65-A90 has World Premiere at Retailer

Also:

Mitsubishi Announces Laser TV Pricing

From the article:

Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America said late Monday that its first laser TV will begin shipping at the end of the third quarter in the United States.

The 65-inch LaserVue will retail for $6,999 at the end of the third quarter through authorized retailers, the company said. A 75-inch version is also expected this fall, although Mitsubishi did not announce it.

Still pricey, but it’s a start.

This article shows how to design the mirror systems to make a thin laser TV:

Slim Rear Projection system for Laser TV

See also: Laser TV