Touchscreens are often classified by their display technology. Whether it’s a smartphone, computer monitor, machine interface, etc., all touchscreens feature a display. The display is responsible for producing images. You can see images on the display, and you can tap or touch the display to control the device.
While all touchscreens feature a display, some of them feature a different type of display than others. Two of the most common types of touchscreens displays are cathode-ray tube (CRT) and liquid-crystal display (LCD).
The Basics of CRT Touchscreens
CRT touchscreens are touch-controlled devices that feature a CRT display. CRT displays have been around for nearly a century. In the 1930s, the German electronics company Telefunken released the world’s first CRT televisions.
CRT displays gradually became more popular in the years to come. Eventually, they made their way into other devices, including touchscreens. You can now find touchscreens that feature a CRT display.
The Basics of LCD Touchscreens
LCD touchscreens are touch-controlled devices that feature an LCD. LCDs are characterized by their use of liquid pixels with polarizers. Liquid pixels, of course, form the pixels within an LCD, whereas the polarizers control the passage of light.
Like CRT displays, LCDs are now used in touchscreens. Some touchscreens feature a CRT display, whereas others feature an LCD. CRT displays and LCDs serve the same purpose of producing images, but they are different types of display technologies that work in different ways.
Choosing Between a CRT and LCD Touchscreen
You might be wondering whether to choose a CRT or LCD touchscreen. They are both energy efficient. With that said, LCD touchscreens are typically more energy efficient than their CRT counterparts.
LCD touchscreens produce less heat than CRT touchscreens. Both types of touchscreens will generate at least some heat during use. LCDs, though, are known for their low-heat operation. They produce less heat than CRT touchscreens.
While LCD touchscreens require backlighting, CRT touchscreens don’t require backlighting. CRT technology eliminates the need for backlighting. CRTs work by blasting phosphor compounds with an electron gun, which causes the phosphor compounds to illuminate. As a result, they don’t require backlighting.
When shopping for a touchscreen, you can’t ignore the display technology. Touchscreens are powered by a touchscreen technology as well as a display technology. Two of the most common display technologies used in touchscreens include CRT and LCD.
