Liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) have become increasingly popular. There are more LCDs produced globally than all other types of display devices. LCDs, of course, are defined by their use of liquid pixels. They contain liquid pixels embedded in a layer that, when illuminated, creates images. With that said, there are different types of LCD technology, one of which is full array. To learn more about full-array LCDs, as well as their advantages and disadvantages, keep reading.
The Basics of Full-Array LCDs
Full-array LCDs are display devices that feature a grid of backlighting bulbs. Like all LCDs, they contain a pixel layer. The pixel layer is sandwiched between the top glass layer and the backlighting bulbs. Full-array LCDs simply have backlighting bulbs arranged in both columns and rows, thus forming a grid-like arrangement that illuminates the pixels from behind.
The term “full array” doesn’t refer to a specific LCD technology. Rather, it refers to a display device’s backlighting. Also known as direct lit, full array is a backlighting solution that’s defined by the use of both rows and columns of backlighting bulbs. In most display devices, including LCDs, light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs are used for the backlighting. Full-array LCDs simply have a grid-like arrangement of backlighting bulbs rather than a perimeter of backlighting bulbs.
Advantages of Full-Array LCDs
Why should you choose a full-array LCD exactly? When compared to edge-lit LCDs, they typically produce brighter images. Edge-lit LCDs have backlighting bulbs as well. As their name suggests, though, they only have backlighting bulbs around the edges, resulting in a lower level of brightness. Full-array LCDs have backlighting bulbs in a grid behind the pixel layer, so they produce brighter images.
In addition to brighter images, full-array LCDs have better contrast. Contrast is the difference between a display device’s bright and dark images. All LCDs have contrast. Full-array LCDs, though, have stronger and better contrast than edge-lit LCDs thanks to their backlighting arrangement.
Disadvantages of Full-Array LCDs
It shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that full-array LCDs are more expensive than edge-lit LCDs. They contain more backlighting bulbs than their edge-lit counterparts. In turn, they cost more to produce, so manufacturers sell them for more.
Full-array LCDs are oftentimes thicker than edge-lit LCDs as well. Edge-lit LCDs are thinner because they only have backlighting bulbs along the edges. Full-array LCDs, on the other hand, have backlighting bulbs behind the pixel layer, which makes them slightly thicker.
