The old cathode-ray tube is still the gold standard when it comes to exhibiting rich color, smooth motion and deep blacks with superb detail. So Canon and Toshiba used the same technology to create a better flat panel. Called SED (surface-conduction electron-emitter display), it uses 6,220,800 electron emitters-one for each color per pixel-that cause red, blue or green phosphors to glow. SEDs have higher contrast, more accurate color and better motion response than LCD or plasma, while consuming less power. And they'll cost less when produced in high volumes. The first sets, due next year, will be about 50 inches, but the tech scales easily to any size.