Light-emitting display (LCD) technology is used in a variety of display devices, including TVs, computer monitors, smartphones, tablets, cameras and more. But while most people have at least heard of LCD technology, few know how it works. In this post, we’re going to explore six facts about LCDs.
#1) They Propagate Light Through Liquid Crystals
It’s called “liquid crystal display” because the technology propagates light through liquid crystals to create images. The screen features a layer of liquid crystals that illuminates to create an image when the backlight is turned on.
#2) There’s No Burn-In
You don’t have to worry about screen burn-in with LCDs. With CRT and plasma displays, there’s a risk that the phosphors compounds used to create the display may leave a permanent image. Known as screen burn-in, it’s a common problem in the aforementioned displays. LCDs, however, don’t suffer from screen burn-in, making them a popular choice among consumers and business owners alike.
#3) Liquid Crystals Were Discovered Over a Century Ago
Liquid crystals — the basis on which LCD technology works — were discovered over a century ago. It’s believed that Friedrich Reinitzer was the first person to discover them in the late 1880s, thereby paving the way for modern-day LCD technology.
#4) They Feature Millions of Pixels
How many pixels can you expect to find in a typical LCD? Well, it varies depending on the specific type of LCD (e.g. computer monitor or TV), size, format and other criteria. With that said, an LCD TV features about 6 million pixels, each of which is responsible for bringing together the overall image.
#5) Battery-Powered LCDs
You might be surprised to learn that there are battery-powered LCDs. Many handheld video game consoles and mobile devices, for example, use LCD technology rather than CRT. This is because LCD requires very little power to operate. As a result, LCD devices can draw power from a portable battery rather than an external wall outlet.
#6) Active vs Passive Matrix LCDs
Although there are many different types of LCD technology, most fall under the category of being active or passive matrix. The former, also known as thin-film transistor, features a silicon layer rather than indium tin oxide. The latter, on the hand hand, is characterized by the use of vertical and horizontal conductors made of ITO. Both active and passive matrix LCD technology can create beautiful, high-resolution images. However, there are subtle differences between the two technologies that shouldn’t be ignored.