LCD Overview
In the 21st century, technology has become a major tool of development. As years passed by, technology proceeded more with time. Many inventions replaced by other new inventions, such as CRT displays, are replaced by LCDs.
LCD, which is an acronym for Liquid Crystal Display, is a pencil-thin panel technology display. It works as a screen for digital devices such as;
- Computer Monitors.
- Digital Clocks.
- Laptops.
- Televisions.
- Smartphones.
- Portable Video Games, etc.
Let's learn how did "LCD" replace the super latest technology "CRT(Cathode Ray Tube)" of the 20th century.
Background
Before its appearance in digital devices, In 1888, Liquid Crystal was invented by an Austrian botanist "Friedrich Reinitzer."
By 1936 it was made applicable in the wireless telegraph industry as Liquid Crystal light valve. In 1962, Richard William of RCA discovered the effects of liquid crystal and voltage, which was termed as Electro-Optical effects.
In 1964, RCA's George Heilmeier invented Liquid Crystal Display. From 1970 till 1990, numerous inventors worked for the betterment of LCDs. By the 1990s, Many industries avail advantage and make use of LCDs in their Digital appliances and devices.
Till 2000's LCD surpassed the image quality of CRT. Now it is the most widely used display across the globe.
How LCD works?
LCD is made up of multiple layers, which consist of two oppositely charged panel filters and electrodes. Light is protruded from a lens on a thin layer of liquid crystal. This mixture of colored light forms the colored image and is displayed on the screen.
Features Of LCD
LCDs have the most amazing features, which makes it unique among other LCDs, Such as
Fixed resolution
LCDs normally have a fixed number of pixels horizontally and vertically in which an image should form, which is considered as a native/fixed resolution. LCDs form high-resolution images so that more bright and clear images appear on the screen.
Viewing angle
LCDs are manufactured with wider viewing angles (There is a difference between viewing angle and screen angle). Typically the viewing angle of LCDs is between 120 to 170 degrees. It means that it can be viewed with acceptable visual performance up to a good extent.
Luminance
The quantity of light that an LCD produces is referred to as Luminance. LCDs are designed in such a way that there is a fixed maximum amount of brightness they can produce; it varies according to the type of LCD. The brightness of LCD is measured in candela/Sqm, and for general purpose LCDs, it varies from 250 to 350 cd/sqm. For movie display, the desired Luminance is up to 500 cd/sqm.
Contrast ratio
The ratio between the glowing white and the deep black produced by an LCD is called contrast ratio. The contrast ratio varies in different LCDs. Generally, contrast ratios range between 4501 to 6001 and as high as 10001.
Response rate
How fast does a pixel change colors is the response rate of any LCD? Faster the response rate, better the LCD. A good response rate prevents images from blurring.
Flexibility
LCDs are highly adjustable as they can be adjusted in any position. You can tilt LCD monitor up and down, left and right, It can rotate horizontally to vertically as well. As the LCD TVs are fine and feathery, most LCD TVs and monitors have built-in brackets for wall and arm mounting.
Easily operatable
There is no science required to operate these LCD screens. If anyone wants any necessary changes in the available features in LCD, they can easily perform this task. It is convenient for every user to make the required changes.
Advantages of LCDs
Every technology that is invented to date is for the benefit of mankind. Here are a few advantages of LCDs.
- Not dependent on phosphors.
- Produces excellent contrast.
- Energy efficiency and low power needed.
- Lightweight and Compact.
- Less Radiation emission.
- Produces less heat.
- Low flicker rate.
- Improved image quality.
- Less eyestrain.
- No image burn-in.
Drawbacks Of LCDs
If the technology benefits mankind, It has harmful effects as well. Every man-made invention has its disadvantages. Few drawbacks of LCDs are discussed below
- Poor reproduction of black.
- Motion blurriness.
- Limited or fixed brightness.
- It has a limited viewing angle.
- Fixed resolution.
- The color and contrast are inconsistent from different angles.
- A pixel-based display may be stuck on the screen.
- The newer technology more will be the cost.
Types Of LCDs
There are two types of LCDs that are further divided into multiple categories.
MONOCHROME LCD
A single color display images but multiple shades forms in a monochrome LCD. Monochrome displays generally have white, amber, or green screens. They produce a much higher resolution, and they cost less. They are used in watches, timers, and digital clock, etc.
There are further four main monochrome categories.
- Static or segment LCDs are required to display numbers or a few simple icons such as battery indicator.
- Graphic or Dot Matrix LCDs are capable of showing text, symbols, and graphics in a single color.
- Character or Alphanumeric LCDs displays alphabets and numbers.
- Customized LCDs are used to display numeric, alphanumeric, digits, indicators, messages, graphic icons, symbols, graphs, etc.
MULTI-COLOR LCD
Multi-color displays use a collection of Red, Green, and blue LEDs that are activated and deactivated in several combinations, thus produces billions of color combinations. They can display text, graphics, and video animations in endless combinations. They are used in the latest smartphones, digital cameras, medical equipment, Televisions, Laptops, etc.
There are 4 main categories of multi-color displays.
- TFT (Thin Film Transistor) LCDs produce improved and detailed image quality and luminous graphics with the help of thin-film transistor technology.
- OLED (Organic Light-emitting Diode) LCDs excellent viewing angles and produces fantastic natural-looking colors with spontaneous brightness.
- FSC (Field Sequential Color) LCDs produce contrast twice that of TFT and are lower in cost as well.
- EBT (Excellent black Technology) produces a highly black background and sharp contrast.
Sizes of LCDs
LCDs are available in multiple sizes in the market. It depends on the type of LCD you are willing to buy. Such as a television LCD is available in between 21 inches to 89 inches, a computer monitor LCD is available in between 19 inches to 34 inches, smartphone LCDs are available in various sizes in multiple brands.
It is up to you which device and brand you are interested in buying. Every device and brand has its own chart of sizes available; you can choose according to your preference.
LCD Brands
There are hundreds of manufacturers of LCDs around the globe, that are offering different LCD panel devices in the best quality and different price ranges. Here we are going to tell you some top brands, which are also available in Pakistan.
SONY
Sony manufactures different types of electronic and digital devices. It is the 5th largest TV manufacturers in the world. Sony manufactures LCD televisions, smartphones, computer monitors, and smartwatches. Their LCD devices are long-lasting, provide high Luminance and best quality images.
SAMSUNG
Samsung is one of the topmost brands in the world. Samsung electronics is at 6th rank in Interbrand's best global brands. They manufacture LCD Televisions, Smartphones, Tablets, Home appliances, etc. The quality, contrast, and resolution produced by their LCDs are meritorious.
PANASONIC
Panasonic Electronics is the best Japanese brand not only in Japan but international favorites. They offer the best quality at the best prices. Panasonic provides industrial products along with digital devices. Their LCD produces premium pictures quality.
TOSHIBA
Toshiba is a Japanese multinational conglomerate. They offer Analog devices, Wireless devices, along with multiple digital LCD devices. Their LCDs have excellent video and sound quality and provide excellent dynamic contrast ratio, and backlight life is long enough to give you long life usage.
CASIO
Casio is the manufacturer of new and innovative digital cameras, watches, calculators, digital pianos, electronic dictionaries, etc. Casio's main goal is to provide products that work reliably in any environment and can be used with safety. There are no quality defects in their LCD devices and other products and are long-lasting, especially their calculators.
LG
LG is a Korean multinational company. They manufacture multiple innovative ranges of smartphones, TVs, home entertainment systems, kitchen appliances, and air conditioning systems. LG manufactures responsive design LCDs to provide a convenient experience.
Price Range of LCDs
The price range varies according to the technology and brand. Old technology is less expensive and affordable, but the latest technology is a little costly.
Conclusion
LCDs are based on completely different technology, which provides amazing benefits with their different characteristics to the digital device users. Day by day, this technology is getting better in different aspects to provide more benefits. LCDs are making billions annually for the digital industries. LCDs need less energy and less power consumption with better quality and image results, which is making them more popular and worthy, and that is why they took over those CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) displays.