Sony has unveiled a "Crystal LED Display"--a 55-inch prototype TV that actually uses miniature LED in place of pixels at CES 2012.

The Sony prototype uses 6 million LEDs (2 million each of red, green, and blue) mounted directly on the front of the display, which Sony says improves the efficiency of light output.

According to the company,the technology is superior to both LCD and plasma, with higher contrast, a wider color gamut, and wider viewing angles.

While the TV is nowhere near actual production, Sony says it could be used in a wide range of applications ranging from professional to consumer use.

The company makes a point to note that the LED doesn't replace work on OLED--see the XEL-1 for Sony's efforts here so far--which is it says is in "continued development."