LG Display promising 20-inch OLED panels in 2010, 40-inch version in 2012

If you've seen an OLED display in person, you know why people are searching for any shred of information that new TVs based on the technology will be released soon—its seemingly unbeatable combination of slimness and ultra-high contrast ratio. It's been a couple of years since Sony debuted its 11.1-inch XEL-1, which still costs over $2,000 if you can find it. While Sony has been mum on any followups, LG has been talking up OLEDs, releasing a 15-inch set in Korea recently, but it's not done yet.

According to Tech-On, LG is planning to produce 20-inch OLED panels this year, to be followed by 30-inch displays next year, and 40-inch OLED displays in 2012. Unfortunately, there don't seem to be any more details about whether these sets will ever see the light of day over here, or how much they would cost. An LG VP was blunt, though, about pricing: "They may be expensive, but it will be possible to buy a 40-inch class OLED TV in 2012." Costs will need to drop a lot, however, in order for OLEDs to compete against LED-backlit LCDs, which should be commonplace for $1,000 or less in two years.