Key Points
- Transparent OLED TVs have limited brightness levels, making images appear dim or washed out in well-lit environments.
- These TVs have display limitations, such as difficulty reading subtitles or news bars due to low light contrast.
- Transparent OLED TVs pose safety risks as people may accidentally bump into the screen, causing damage or injury.
- Viewing angles are narrow, leading to poor image quality when not seated close to the center.
- Screen discoloration can occur due to sensitivity to heat and sunlight, affecting color display and image quality.
Picture this scenario where you are watching TV and having fun. Then, as soon as you switch it off, the blank screen transforms into a transparent window. You can see kids playing or folks enjoying themselves on a beach. When you’ve had enough of the outside sights, you switch on the TV and enjoy viewing. Welcome to the transparent OLED TV, cutting-edge innovation in entertainment electronics. Before you get carried away, we will reveal why you should avoid a transparent OLED TV today.
Why again, you might ask. Despite the charm and futuristic appeal of the transparent OLED TV, it has its downsides. You will discover why we’ve put these impressive TV sets in the spotlight. Ultimately, you will be wiser in choosing the ideal screen for your living room. Before we delve into that, let’s examine the TV’s background.
Some Background on Transparent OLED TV
Transparent OLED TVs work as you think they do. The TV lets you see what is behind it. In August 2020, Xiaomi unveiled Mi TV LUX OLED Transparent Edition, touted as the first mass-produced TV in this category. The 55-inch transparent OLED TV has all the processing units cleverly hidden in the TV’s base stand. When switched off, the screen is a clear transparent window. Conversely, floating images appear when you switch on the screen.
An overview of what goes into making a transparent OLED screen will help bring things into a better perspective. The TV’s display area comprises two substrate materials, i.e., plastic and glass substrates. Glass has soda ash, limestone, and silica and is scratch resistant. Regarding the plastic substrate, it has polycarbonate, polypropylene, and polyethylene.
Also, transparent conductive films supply the screen with electric voltage. Therefore, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) is mostly preferred for its conductivity properties. Regarding how it emits light, a transparent OLED screen maintains the same principle of using organic light-emitting diodes.
Metallic compounds like aluminum, steel, silicon, and copper are in their components. Ordinary TVs have them too. These metals are in the TV frame, circuit boards, and wiring. The TV’s frame has some plastic, as is the case with brackets and cable housing. Then there is internal and external coloring. Finally, adhesives keep the assembly intact.
LG’s transparent OLED screens boast 45% transparency, and light leakage is not a concern. These OLED displays do not have a backlight unit and don’t need polarizers either. Undoubtedly this cutting-edge display technology is futuristic. But as stated earlier, valid reasons exist to make you avoid a transparent OLED TV. So let’s get down to it.
Reasons to Avoid a Transparent OLED TV
We’ve laid the foundation for the transparent OLED TV technology journey. The next stop is examining why you should not bank on this TV screen. Read on.
Technological Infancy
Only a few manufacturers have ventured into transparent LED TVs production. Xiaomi made its debut with the Mi TV LUX OLED Transparent Edition. However, the company discontinued production. That leaves LG Electronics as the sole manufacturer. The company unveiled its LG OLED T prototype in early 2023. While showcasing the LG OLED T transparent TV prototype, a company representative stated that the TV was not going on sale soon. That meant the technology was still in its infancy, and homeowners would have to wait. Full-scale production will commence and render this set available to the market soon.
Poor Brightness
The brightness level in transparent OLED TVs is severely compromised. The panels are less bright compared to traditional OLED or LED TVs. As a result, these TVs cannot offer an immersive experience in well-lit environments. The images will appear dim or washed out. The Xiaomi Mi TV LUX images appear to float on the screen.
OLED TV’s brightness ranges from 500 to 1,100 nits. LG’s new OLED TV has a brightness of 2,100 Nits. In comparison, LG’s Transparent OLED Signage and OLED Touch Signage have 150 to 400 nits brightness. Overall, the visual quality is not in tandem with what OLED screens are known for, the more reason to avoid a transparent OLED TV.
Display Limitations
The screen is not meant for hanging on living room walls. It has to be in a place with a view behind the panel. That makes it ideal for hanging on windows; only some users would like their TV displayed that way. On the other hand, some graphic elements will not display correctly. For example, you may experience difficulty reading movie subtitles or news bars. The reason is that the background is not opaque, so there is low light contrast.
At the same time, in commercial applications, the content running on this screen must be modified. It means removing the background color and replacing it with black. Despite being beneficial in curbing light pollution, it is a cumbersome way of curating display content.
Safety Issues
Unless you keep the screen on perpetually, someone may not know it is a TV screen. A transparent OLED screen is not different from glass doors that you sometimes bump into unknowingly. Either keep it running or put stickers to alert someone of the glass panel in front of them. Anyone can knock against the transparent screen and either damage or injure themselves.
Viewing Angles
A television’s viewing angle refers to the extent you can move from a screen’s center and still view images brightly. Unlike LED and OLED TVs, the viewing angle in transparent OLED TVs is narrow. If you view the TV from angles that tend towards 180 degrees, colors start degrading, and you will experience poor image quality. As a result of this setback, you should avoid a transparent OLED TV. In addition, you cannot enjoy watching shows or movies on this TV if seated far from the center, in a large room.
Screen Discoloration
OLED transparent displays use organic materials. These are highly sensitive to elements like heat and direct sunlight. When you expose the transparent OLED panel to heat and sunlight, screen discoloration occurs. Once that happens, it affects the color display and distorts the images. Besides, replacing LED lamp beads on transparent LED displays is expensive. Additionally, the color output of a transparent LED TV cannot match that of a typical OLED panel. Due to its transparency, the screen loses vibrancy and the capacity to produce deep blacks.
Compromised Privacy
How is privacy an issue here? You may have installed the transparent panel on a window visible from across the street. Now, if you display sensitive content, someone passing by will notice. That’s a risk you don’t want to take, especially if you live in a crowded neighborhood or have a business edge over businesses in the same location.
Alternatives to Transparent OLED TVs
Now that we’ve bombarded you with reasons to avoid a transparent OLED TV, we’re confident you’ll find something to compensate. Here’s a sneak peek of Transparent OLED TV alternatives.
OLED TVs
- Neural Quantum Processor 4K can effectively manage color and contrast
- 1374 nits of peak brightness ideal for darker rooms
- HDR 10, HDR 10+, and HLG
- Offers smart features for gamers like GameBar 3.0, Minimap Sharing 3, and Virtual Aim Point
There are no backlight panels in OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) TVs. In retrospect, OLED pixels generate light. The design of these TVs enables them to achieve superb pitch-black scenes. The OLED TV only needs to turn off pixels resulting in a dark screen. LG Display makes OLED panels and sells them to LG Electronics to manufacture some of the best TVs in the industry.
Brands such as Panasonic, Philips, and Sony procure OLED panels from LG Electronics, while Samsung has its version. However, Samsung’s OLED technology is slightly different. If you want superior brightness, we recommend the Samsung S95C. It has stunning colors, while the contrasts are top-notch.
QLED TVs
- 4K Mini LED Quantum HDR 24x
- Dolby Atmos
- Object Tracking Sound+
- Anti-glare
- Ultra-wide viewing angle
- Alexa built-in
QLED (Quantum Light-Emitting Diode) TVs use quantum dots that give superior color and brightness. They produce light like LED TVs do via a backlight panel. Samsung pioneered the technology in 2013 before partnering with other manufacturers. That is how you find brands like TCL, Hisense, and Vizio all having QLED TVs.
If you ask us to recommend an impressive QLED TV with a great contrast ratio, we’ll point to the Samsung QN90B QLED. Its picture quality is impressive, with uniform blacks and peak brightness. You’ll love watching movies on this set, as it strongly highlights bright and dark scenes.
LED TVs
- Dolby Vision HDR
- Comes with SmartCast 3.0
- Supports Alexa and Google Assistant
- 4K ultra HD
LED (Light Emitting Diode) TVs are an alternative you can depend on after you avoid a transparent OLED TV. Developed in 1997, it was not until 2009 that Sony produced them commercially. LED TVs, also called LCD TVs in some instances, boast bright pictures, a thin size, and low energy consumption. Screen sizes exceed 90 inches, while the TV’s lifespan is 100,000 hours.
The Vizio V-Series is one of the best pocket-friendly LED TVs in the market. It has incredible picture quality and packs extras like Bluetooth compatibility, Wi-Fi, and Dolby Vision support. Screen size ranges from 43 to 75 inches.
LCD TVs
- Exclusive ULED technologies
- Quantum dot wide color gamut
- Up to 1500 nits peak brightness
- Dolby Vision HDR picture and Dolby Atmos sound
- Native 120Hz refresh rate
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) TVs have a backlight panel similar to that in LED TVs except for one thing; LCD backlight uses CCFLs (fluorescent lights). As a result, they have a low power consumption rate. The screen sizes are also flexible, ranging from 13 to 57 inches. Also, LCD TVs have a wide viewing angle, up to 165°.
Hisense U8H Series is our best alternative set in this category. It has excellent picture quality with vivid colors and brightness. Also, the U8H has Google TV and is compatible with major HDR formats. However, it has a narrow viewing angle which you can easily overcome by avoiding sitting on the far side of the screen.
Home Theater Projectors
- Features Epson UltraBlack technology
- The projector has a true 3-Chip design
- The digital imaging processor reproduces sources material perfectly
- 4K PRO-UHD projection technology
Projectors have become cheaper, and enjoying the big screen theater experience at home is now possible. An inexpensive projector matched with a 100-inch screen, a receiver with speakers, or a soundbar creates the perfect cinema experience. You get both sound and picture quality without crowds and noise interference.
You can procure a portable home theater projector for as little as $200. Enjoy movie nights in the backyard, garage, basement, or attic. We’ll go with the Epson Home Cinema 5050UB projector. It has accurate colors and incredible brightness. However, it is a piece of pricey equipment but compensates you with image quality not found in other units.
Wrapping Up
Transparent OLED TVs are not fully available in the market. You’ll be lucky to find a few units on e-commerce sites. The big tech manufacturers are still developing the technology. LG Electronics looks the most hopeful of all, having recently unveiled its prototype. However, you won’t see a fully-developed commercial product soon.
On the other hand, the technology produces screens whose brightness diminishes. That is unlike what the traditional OLED TVs offer. Another limitation is the choice of the display area. The TV can only suit hanging on windows since the whole idea is to see what’s behind the screen. Safety is an issue. One can accidentally bump into the transparent screen and either damage it or get injured. Additionally, transparent OLED TVs have narrow viewing angles, which degrades colors. Screen discoloration is another related downside.
Transparent OLED TV technology is still a work in progress. But we’ve saved you the agony by sharing excellent alternatives that will hopefully excite you.
- $3,597.99Buy Now on Amazon
- Neural Quantum Processor 4K can effectively manage color and contrast
- 1374 nits of peak brightness ideal for darker rooms
- HDR 10, HDR 10+, and HLG
- Offers smart features for gamers like GameBar 3.0, Minimap Sharing 3, and Virtual Aim Point
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
12/07/2023 05:33 pm GMT - $1,047.99Buy Now
- 4K Mini LED Quantum HDR 24x
- Dolby Atmos
- Object Tracking Sound+
- Anti-glare
- Ultra-wide viewing angle
- Alexa built-in
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
12/06/2023 08:32 am GMT - $420.00Buy Now on Amazon
- Dolby Vision HDR
- Comes with SmartCast 3.0
- Supports Alexa and Google Assistant
- 4K ultra HD
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
12/07/2023 12:47 am GMT - $1,495.96Buy Now on Amazon
- Exclusive ULED technologies
- Quantum dot wide color gamut
- Up to 1500 nits peak brightness
- Dolby Vision HDR picture and Dolby Atmos sound
- Native 120Hz refresh rate
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
12/07/2023 10:43 pm GMT - $2,399.98Buy Now on Amazon
- Features Epson UltraBlack technology
- The projector has a true 3-Chip design
- The digital imaging processor reproduces sources material perfectly
- 4K PRO-UHD projection technology
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
12/07/2023 11:02 am GMT
Summary Table
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Technological Infancy | Limited manufacturers and not widely available |
| Poor Brightness | Less bright compared to traditional OLED or LED TVs |
| Display Limitations | Not suitable for wall mounting and difficulty reading subtitles |
| Safety Issues | Potential for accidents due to transparency |
| Viewing Angles | Narrow viewing angles with color degradation |
| Screen Discoloration | Sensitivity to heat and sunlight causing discoloration |
| Compromised Privacy | Visible content from outside when installed on windows |
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock.com.
