The Future of LCDs

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://neasia.nikkeibp.com/wcs/leaf?CID=onair/asabt/fw/230460' target='_blank'>http://neasia.nikkeibp.com/wcs/leaf...asabt/fw/230460</a><br /><br /></div>This is a very interesting article talking about various trends in LCD development. Despite the promise of OLEDs, we won't be seeing them just yet, and as such it's good to see LCDs evolving... it's a little intense, though. ;)<br /><br />"Currently, most LCDs are made of semi-transparent amorphous thin-film transistors (TFT). To reduce the weight of a PDA and enable it to withstand the shock of falling, the manufacturers are moving to use the resin substrate for its LCD, especially the substrate made of the low-temperature poly-silicon (p-Si) with higher definition, instead of the currently used glass substrate."

[rubberdemon]

I'm intrigued by the two Toshiba 640x480 displays they mention - one at 4" and the newest one at 3.5". Both perfectly suited for Pocket PCs, if only the OS supported the resolution... Which is interesting to see that they are producing them, as what else would Toshiba do with them other than use them for PDAs (maybe they provide the Zaurus screens)?

Also interesting to see that 220,000 colours seems to be the next sweet spot for PDA displays. This could be a very interesting year...

[Ipaqman]

Since we are discussing LCDs I have noticed that my LCD does not respond the way it used to. I have recalibrated the screen several times today and to no avail, I am still having recongnition problems. While playing Solitare today, I noticed that the cards would flash in and out while I was sorting them. I have not tried a hard reset yet, (for obvious reasons) but I wondered if anyone has had this issue and if you knew of any fixes. THANKS!!! 8O

[Paragon]

One of the interesting things I read in this, was the fact that it looks like the new semi-transmisive screens are likley to be the screen for the near future, replacing transflective screens. We have seen a couple of OEMs announce their next devices will have them. I have been curious to know what these sceens would be like in reality. One can assume that if they are to be the screen of the future they must be very good to displace transfective screens. Lots of other little bits and pieces of info as well.

Dave

[Janak Parekh]

One of the interesting things I read in this, was the fact that it looks like the new semi-transmisive screens are likley to be the screen for the near future, replacing transflective screens.
I don't know -- I found the article confusing on this. They might actually mean transflective when they refer to semi-transmissive; if you think about it, transflective is part reflective, part transmissive. :)

--janak

[Paragon]

BACKLIT, BACKLIT, BACKLIT :)

It can be very confusing can't it!!

Dave

[Janak Parekh]

BACKLIT, BACKLIT, BACKLIT :)
But that's the thing! Transflective screens are BACKLIT too. :D

Check this quote out: "The so-called "semi-transmissive-type LCD" has enhanced outdoor visibility and possesses strong points of both reflective-type and transmissive-type LCDs."

That reads transflective to me...

--janak

[Paragon]

Yeah, I know, they seem to play with words. At least to us laymen. It seems that one of the differences between the two is the percentage of reflective, and transmissive pixels each had. I should go back and check, but I think transmissive was close to 50-50, whereas the transfective are heavier on the refective side, making one think that the semi-transmisive may be a bit better outdoors. Who knows how much of a sacrifice that would be to indoor viewing???

Dave

Then again I could have read those numbers in a different article. :)

[possmann]

Geeez – I can never find the info when I need it – Some time ago there was a post/several postings on new screen types and from that I went to several of the company sites to learn more about their technology and where they are in the development/production phase. According to one of them, the screen they have to offer blows anything LCD out of the water in all attributes (stability, resolution, power consumption, visibility, amount of space required, etc) but the best thing about it was that current production machinery could be used to mass-produce the screen. I wish I could find the company name and web site link – somewhere out in California…
My thoughts are that this article talks about taking a small step, but nothing “really” new. Why not take a full step and begin to change the paradigm? Don’t follow in the Palm footsteps when the opportunity exists to really make a large leap in this vital area of the PDA.
If anyone can recall or find that post – please link it in here…

[vincentsiaw]

AFAIK the oled screen is much thiner than the normal LCD, os this mean much more thinner PDA in the final analysis?

[D.psi]

possmann

According to one of them, the screen they have to offer blows anything LCD out of the water in all attributes (stability, resolution, power consumption, visibility, amount of space required, etc) but the best thing about it was that current production machinery could be used to mass-produce the screen.

I don't have the post number or discussion title, but I sent the link to a friend of mine...

http://www.iridigm.com/

Enjoy.

D.psi

[possmann]

THATS IT!

Thanks!

iridigm...

[gfunkmagic]

What about Samsung's recent annoucement that it has begun a partnership with Vitex Systems to start production of OLED displays?

http://news.com.com/2100-1041-985983.html

According to the article, they plan on bring OLED displays to mobile (and presumably smartphones) by 2004!