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A video wall is not a one-size-fits-all solution. There are many options to choose from when designing a commercial building video wall display: the size and shape of the digital canvas, what type of content will be displayed and the purpose of the video wall. Operationally, you may focus on desired reliability, maintenance and serviceability of the equipment. Hardware and technology decisions ensure the video wall will deliver both the desired viewing and ownership experience.

One of these choices is deciding between an LCD display or an LED video wall. Continue reading to find out more about the basics, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each solution.

Most people are familiar with LCD technology, which stands for Liquid Crystal Display. These types of displays have a massive presence in this world, used in living rooms to watch movies, fast-food restaurants to showcase menus, airports to show flight schedules, and everything in between. LCD technology was developed in the 1960s and has been used worldwide as a standard for roughly 20 years. It is a tried-and-true technology that has stood the test of time and will be around for the foreseeable future.

On an LCD screen, the panel is illuminated by a light source and works through reflection or transmission of light. Overall, LCD displays have better viewing angles and less glare than LED screens. This technology was designed to be energy efficient and tends to be lighter in weight.

An LCD video wall is made up of multiple LCD panel monitors mounted on a surface to create a digital canvas, which then work together to create a unified experience. They operate 24/7 at a high brightness and have thin bezels that help create a seamless look when the displays are placed next to one another.

Bezel thickness and the brightness rating are among key attributes to consider for an LCD video wall display. Here is what each of these means and why.

Bezel:Bezel thicknesses for video wall displays are measured in “bezel-to-bezel” thickness.This is the thickness of the bezel when two displays are placed next to one another. Displays can be either large bezel or thin bezel.

Nits:Brightness is measured in Nits. A higher Nit value means the display will be brighter. A brighter display is necessary in a room that sees plenty of direct sunlight, or if the intent is to draw in visitors from far away. With LCD video walls, the price of the hardware goes up as the display size and brightness increase, and the bezel width decreases.

The next item to consider is the type of content that will be displayed on your video wall. LCD displays have high resolution screens — modern 4K displays have over 8 million pixels! This means that the content being displayed is highly detailed and crystal-clear. A viewer could stand less than 1 foot away from the screen and be able to see exactly what is being shown on the screen.

Like previously mentioned with LCD video walls, an important consideration in the decision-making process is the type of content that will be displayed on the video wall. LED video walls suffer from image degradation and pixilation from up close, so fine details will be lost, and text will be illegible. If detail from up close is important, LCD displays are much better suited for that situation.Content examples that are well-suited for an LCD video wall:

Video walls are relatively new. But LCD technology has had decades of mainstream adoption, and with that comes both familiarity and lower costs. If those are important to you, then an LCD video wall is likely the right choice.

LED video walls are similar to LCD video walls, but the digital canvas is built using LED panels. Individual LED panels can be anywhere from 12”x12” to 36”x18”, which is much smaller than LCD displays. LED panels have a larger presence in this world than most might think—they are found indoors and outdoors at stadiums, arenas, concert venues, airports, and in use as large digital advertisements in iconic places such as Times Square.

The module is a small rectangular board that contains all the individual LEDs (light-emitting diodes).Unlike LCD, there is no glass or color filter on the LED video wall panels. The individual diodes that are placed on the modules produce both color and light.

One of the most impressive features of LED panels is that they can be combined to create almost any shape, without a bezel interrupting the digital canvas. LED video wall panels can be placed on curved surfaces, 90-degree edges, and other non-standard surfaces. The smaller size of the panels in relation to LCD video wall displays means they can fill more space on a surface—they aren’t limited to standard 46” and 55” sizes as are LCD video wall displays.

As is the case with an LCD video wall, an LED video wall will add exciting drama and premium value to showcase spaces. LED panel displays don’t enjoy the benefit of decades of mainstream adoption as do their LCD counterparts. However, the technology curve is increasing their availability and lowering their costs. At this time, an LED video wall will have higher upfront costs compared to an LCD video wall. If cost is the main concern, then an LED video wall system will not likely fit into your budget

Limitless shapes and sizes:the smaller size of LED panels allows them to be combined to create unique canvases, including curved, 90-degree edge, and other combinations not possible with LCD displays

SEOUL, Dec 23 (Reuters) - South Korea"s LG Display Co Ltd (034220.KS) said on Friday it plans to halt the production of its liquid-crystal display (LCD) TV panels in South Korea due to intensifying competition.

The Apple Inc (AAPL.O) supplier expects the decision to halt production of LCD TV panels would not have impact on its normal business activities, LG Display said in a regulatory filing.

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screens are a staple in the digital display marketplace and are used in display applications across every industry. With every display application presenting a unique set of requirements, the selection of specialized LCDs has grown to meet these demands.

LCD screens can be grouped into three categories: TN (twisted nematic), IPS (in-plane switching), and VA (Vertical Alignment). Each of these screen types has its own unique qualities, almost all of them having to do with how images appear across the various screen types.

This technology consists of nematic liquid crystal sandwiched between two plates of glass. When power is applied to the electrodes, the liquid crystals twist 90°. TN (Twisted Nematic) LCDs are the most common LCD screen type. They offer full-color images, and moderate viewing angles.

TN LCDs maintain a dedicated user base despite other screen types growing in popularity due to some unique key features that TN display offer. For one,

VA, also known as Multi-Domain Vertical Alignment (MVA) dislays offer features found in both TN and IPS screens. The Pixels in VA displays align vertically to the glass substrate when voltage is applied, allowing light to pass through.

Displays with VA screens deliver wide viewing angles, high contrast, and good color reproduction. They maintain high response rates similar to TN TFTs but may not reach the same sunlight readable brightness levels as comparable TN or IPS LCDs. VA displays are generally best for applications that need to be viewed from multiple angles, like digital signage in a commercial setting.

IPS (In-Plane Switching) technology improves image quality by acting on the liquid crystal inside the display screen. When voltage is applied, the crystals rotate parallel (or “in-plane”) rather than upright to allow light to pass through. This behavior results in several significant improvements to the image quality of these screens.

IPS is superior in contrast, brightness, viewing angles, and color representation compared to TN screens. Images on screen retain their quality without becoming washed out or distorted, no matter what angle they’re viewed from. Because of this, viewers have the flexibility to view content on the screen from almost anywhere rather than having to look at the display from a front-center position.

IPS displays offer a slightly lower refresh rate than TN displays. Remember that the time for pixels to go from inactive to active is measured in milliseconds. So for most users, the difference in refresh rates will go unnoticed.

Based on current trends, IPS and TN screen types will be expected to remain the dominant formats for some time. As human interface display technology advances and new product designs are developed, customers will likely choose IPS LCDs to replace the similarly priced TN LCDs for their new projects.

The LCD Display Screen Digital Video Microscope is essentially a Trinocular microscope with an LCD Display Screen and camera integrated. The LCD Display Screen allows live display and easy analysis of specimens and allows the experimenter to view the specimen without looking into the eyepieces, which can reduce eye fatigue. Moreover, the LCD Display Screen allows several experimenters to view the specimen simultaneously. Since the screen and camera are integrated into the microscope, the need for attaching a microscope camera to the laptop is also eliminated, which helps save bench space and time from setting up several technological devices.

The LCD Display Screen Digital Video Microscope also has several other benefits. The LCD screen has a high definition of 1920 × 1080 at 30 fps. It includes an SD card slot, allowing photos and videos to be saved directly on an SD card instantly. The camera includes several functions, such as digital amplification (Max. 10x), picture freezing, and horizontal/vertical mirroring. It also includes a cross-line feature in which the color, line thickness, and bloom are adjustable. Additionally, a mesh line feature comprising four groups of grid lines is also present. The microscope also has a built-in charging system, allowing it to be used for 50 hours without electricity.

The LCD Display Screen Digital Video Microscope measures 282.20×56.20×180.60mm and weighs 0.7 kg. It includes 2 eyepieces and an additional eyepiece tube where the LCD Display Screen is placed. The specimen can be viewed under 4 objective lenses with a total magnification of 40X-1600X. Coarse and fine focusing adjustment knobs, a quadruple nosepiece, a double layer mechanical stage, an ABBE condenser, and blue, green, and yellow filters are present. A built-in charging system and LED-Light source with adjustable iris diaphragm are also present. The LCD screen produces high-definition images and videos of 1920 × 1080 at 30 fps. Its brightness, contrast, saturation, white balance, black and white switch, and HDR-wide dynamic can be adjusted. The user interface includes full mouse operation. It allows picture previews and photos and videos to be instantly saved with dynamic contrast on an SD card. The camera also has other functions, including digital amplification (Max. 10x), horizontal/vertical mirroring, and picture freezing. Cross line and mesh line features are also included.

The LCD Display Screen Digital Video Microscope can be utilized for viewing and analyzing the various specimens. The LCD Display Screen allows several people to view the sample under observation for diagnosis and teaching purposes. It can be used in research, medicine, education, forensics, and industrial manufacturing settings. The following studies have utilized the LCD Display Digital Microscope:

Daramola et al. (2016) investigated the effects of cucumber, pineapple, and orange juices on sperm viability of buck spermatozoa during cryopreservation. An LCD Display Screen Digital Video Microscope was used to observe sperm motility, acrosome integrity, sperm membrane integrity, and sperm morphology at 400X magnification. The results indicated that the sperm extenders supplemented with pineapple and orange juice at 10% consistently improved the parameters tested and reduced sperm abnormality compared to controls.

Embi (2016) investigated the effect of EMF emissions on cellular respiration oxidation-reduction reactions as a causative agent of diseases. In the experiment, human abdominal hairs were exposed to powder catalase and continuous (Redox) reactions triggered in a processed meat sample through a glass barrier. A solution of Prussian Blue Stain and iron nanoparticles (PBS Fe 2K) was used to stain the hair follicles. The LCD Digital Microscope was used to view and capture still pictures and record videos at 4X magnification during and after evaporation of the PBS Fe2K solution.

Thoai, Chanakaewsomboon, Prasertsit, Photaworn, and Tongurai (2019) utilized the LCD Digital microscope to examine the two-phase system in alkaline catalyzed methanol transesterification. The microscope was used periodically to view images of refined palm oil that had alkoxide-methanol solution added to it until the alcohol phase was in overflow. The microscope was also used to view and photograph methanolysis.

The LCD Display Screen Digital Video Microscope can be used in various disciplines, including biology, microbiology, and chemistry, for diagnosis and teaching purposes. It allows live viewing of the sample on the LCD screen, making it convenient for individual viewing or group work. Moreover, viewing the sample on the screen reduces eye strain achieved using traditional eyepieces. Since the LCD and camera are integrated into the microscope, an external computer or laptop and camera are not needed, which helps save bench space. The microscope’s LED adjustable illumination and LCD’s save feature allow high-quality pictures and videos to be taken that can instantly be saved onto an SD card.

LCD displays are extensively used for various purposes, like attracting customers, presenting information and promoting purposes. Also, LCD displays can be used to display direction and signs, increase customer engagement and enhancing beauty. Using indoor LCD displays has been a popular choice for various industries, especially for the retail industry. Shop and malls are places that require the attention of people the most, and digital signage or indoor LCD display is the most effective way to attract customers. There are two types of LCD displays used in the retail industry: indoor LCD display and outdoor LCD display. But this article will only cover the former one in the retail industry.

The indoor LCD display offers many benefits to the retail industry. They are a popular choice to increase the engagement of your store or mall. Through the application of indoor LCD display, the shopper turnover can be shortened. The other key benefits of using an indoor LCD display include better shop branding, better customer engagement, and better presentation of information. The primary purpose of installing an indoor LCD display is to increase the sales of the shop. It has been already proven that you will see a noteworthy difference between the volume of sales before and after installing an indoor LCD display for your shop.

If you own a mall or a shop, you need to get these magic displays. But the problem lies with the fact that there are hundreds of dealers in the market. And whom you should trust? Well, we have got the solution for you. Uniview is the right choice, let me tell you why? We deal with three digital signage types to better suit your requirements, such as free-standing, wall-mounted, and video wall. Moreover, as an LCD display manufacturer, we produce the best quality of indoor LCD displays, which can yield multiple advantages. In the article, we will mention the top 4 benefits of Uniview indoor LCD display.

Uniview offers you a wide range of products to better suit your requirements. The product can be customized with different sizes and locations. The indoor LCD display can be installed in curved spaces, ceilings, walls, and entrances.

Uniview manufactures indoor LCD displays that have vivid and crisp visuals. The display can easily support large image resolutions. Our screen can be calibrated to give you a uniform alignment, brightness, and color combination, thus creating a pleasant viewing experience for the users.

The LCD advertising display made at Uniview can be integrated with other technologies and gadgets. For example, through their integration with sensors, you can measure people’s movement around the malls. Our digital signage’s integration with technology helps system management and efficient execution of operations at the store.

Our products come in the most robust design and fashion models. And they have many advantages. Firstly, our indoor LCD displays have flexible functions, longer battery life and a moveable screen design. Secondly, they are light-weighted and portable. Thirdly, they are easy to clean and maintain. Fourthly, they have clear pictures, good video quality and temperature control. Finally, they are easy to operate and install. With a wide range of products, Uniview presents to you an out of box solution for your problem.

Designers of liquid crystal display (LCD) systems should understand a number of important technical features before selecting a rugged LCD display for their platform. These options include environmental protection, LCD temperature and reliability, and screen reflection.

To begin with, designers must consider the need for protection from dust, sand, and salt spray: For example, a Coast Guard helicopter and its associated equipment is subject to a lot of salt spray; it will also be prone to condensation and water drips. A display that is open to the environment, whether through fans or air holes, will suffer in that environment. What’s needed is a display that is sealed or has a pressure relief valve, thereby making it appropriate for different altitudes. Airborne displays often hew to DO160, a standard specification that addresses condensation and water splashing conditions. In another example, a pressurized hose is often used to wash the floor of a ground vehicle. Displays for ground vehicles should satisfy the IP67 immersion specification, supporting immersion in the water down to a meter.

The harsh operating temperatures of deployed platforms can also affect the display’s operation. Commercial LCDs, particularly in larger sizes, don’t support the full military-temperature operating ranges. In order to operate at -40 °C, different manufacturers adopt various techniques to overcome the discrepancy between MIL-STD temperatures and what the LCD is capable of. Some manufacturers will simply provide a display with the hope that it works at -40 °C; while in many cases the commercial LCDs will in fact operate at -40, their life expectancy will be much lower. Commercial LCD materials semisolidify at lower temperatures and when switched on in that state they will be damaged. The damage may not happen right away, and the display might even pass the qualification test.

The issue lies in the lifetime reliability of the product over the full temperature range. For a rugged display, system designers should look for a preheater built inside the display to heat the LCD to its specification level before switching it on. While this preheating approach builds in delay, it does significantly improve reliability.

The main function of a military display is readability: The goal is to defeat any form of light that will reflect off the screen and interfere with the image the viewer is trying to see. All forms of LCD, glass, and plastic are susceptible to reflections, and various techniques are used to reduce these reflections. The worst-case scenario comes from early night/early morning environments, where the sun is very low in the sky and reflects directly off the screen into the operator’s eye. A more typical problem is full-daytime sunlight hitting the observer, turning the person into a brightly lit object that reflects off the screen into their own eyes. Frequently users will only specify a requirement for “very good daylight readability.” Unfortunately, such a requirement is not really specific.

Another issue is glare: Some users will specify a requirement for antiglare coating. While the coating does help, instead of eliminating glare, it instead diffuses and distributes the light reflection, so less of the reflection hits the viewer’s eyes directly. Coatings only affect the outer layer of the display’s glass. Light also goes through and reflects off the display’s inner layers of glass, and the antiglare coatings do nothing to prevent that. In a very simple display, there are often three or four layers of glass and plastics, while a more complex display may have seven or eight layers. As the light passes through each layer, there will be changes in the refractive index, resulting in some form of reflection. This distortion is made much worse by displays that have air gaps between their glass stack-up.

The best solution: Select a display that optically bonds each layer of glass, directly connecting them to greatly reduce the change in refractive index between layers. Ideally, a circular polarizer should be employed within the glass stack-up to polarize the light on the way into the screen. This technique rotates the polarization so that when the light reflects off the LCD or the inner layers of glass, the light is out of phase with the polarizer and cannot escape. (See Figure 1A)

Planar® CarbonLight™ VX Series is comprised of carbon fiber-framed indoor LED video wall and floor displays with exceptional on-camera visual properties and deployment versatility, available in 1.9 and 2.6mm pixel pitch (wall) and 2.6mm (floor).

From cinema content to motion-based digital art, Planar® Luxe MicroLED Displays offer a way to enrich distinctive spaces. HDR support and superior dynamic range create vibrant, high-resolution canvases for creative expression and entertainment. Leading-edge MicroLED technology, design adaptability and the slimmest profiles ensure they seamlessly integrate with architectural elements and complement interior décor.

From cinema content to motion-based digital art, Planar® Luxe Displays offer a way to enrich distinctive spaces. These professional-grade displays provide vibrant, high-resolution canvases for creative expression and entertainment. Leading-edge technology, design adaptability and the slimmest profiles ensure they seamlessly integrate with architectural elements and complement interior decor.

From cinema content to motion-based digital art, Planar® Luxe MicroLED Displays offer a way to enrich distinctive spaces. HDR support and superior dynamic range create vibrant, high-resolution canvases for creative expression and entertainment. Leading-edge MicroLED technology, design adaptability and the slimmest profiles ensure they seamlessly integrate with architectural elements and complement interior décor.

Planar® CarbonLight™ VX Series is comprised of carbon fiber-framed indoor LED video wall and floor displays with exceptional on-camera visual properties and deployment versatility, available in 1.9 and 2.6mm pixel pitch (wall) and 2.6mm (floor).

Carbon fiber-framed indoor LED video wall and floor displays with exceptional on-camera visual properties and deployment versatility for various installations including virtual production and extended reality.

a line of extreme and ultra-narrow bezel LCD displays that provides a video wall solution for demanding requirements of 24x7 mission-critical applications and high ambient light environments

Since 1983, Planar display solutions have benefitted countless organizations in every application. Planar displays are usually front and center, dutifully delivering the visual experiences and critical information customers need, with proven technology that is built to withstand the rigors of constant use.

Planar® CarbonLight™ VX Series is comprised of carbon fiber-framed indoor LED video wall and floor displays with exceptional on-camera visual properties and deployment versatility, available in 1.9 and 2.6mm pixel pitch (wall) and 2.6mm (floor).

From cinema content to motion-based digital art, Planar® Luxe MicroLED Displays offer a way to enrich distinctive spaces. HDR support and superior dynamic range create vibrant, high-resolution canvases for creative expression and entertainment. Leading-edge MicroLED technology, design adaptability and the slimmest profiles ensure they seamlessly integrate with architectural elements and complement interior décor.

From cinema content to motion-based digital art, Planar® Luxe Displays offer a way to enrich distinctive spaces. These professional-grade displays provide vibrant, high-resolution canvases for creative expression and entertainment. Leading-edge technology, design adaptability and the slimmest profiles ensure they seamlessly integrate with architectural elements and complement interior decor.

From cinema content to motion-based digital art, Planar® Luxe MicroLED Displays offer a way to enrich distinctive spaces. HDR support and superior dynamic range create vibrant, high-resolution canvases for creative expression and entertainment. Leading-edge MicroLED technology, design adaptability and the slimmest profiles ensure they seamlessly integrate with architectural elements and complement interior décor.

Planar® CarbonLight™ VX Series is comprised of carbon fiber-framed indoor LED video wall and floor displays with exceptional on-camera visual properties and deployment versatility, available in 1.9 and 2.6mm pixel pitch (wall) and 2.6mm (floor).

Carbon fiber-framed indoor LED video wall and floor displays with exceptional on-camera visual properties and deployment versatility for various installations including virtual production and extended reality.

a line of extreme and ultra-narrow bezel LCD displays that provides a video wall solution for demanding requirements of 24x7 mission-critical applications and high ambient light environments

Since 1983, Planar display solutions have benefitted countless organizations in every application. Planar displays are usually front and center, dutifully delivering the visual experiences and critical information customers need, with proven technology that is built to withstand the rigors of constant use.

AG glass is added to protect the monitor’s LCD panel. When sunlight hits AG glass, the light energy is dispersed equally across the entire screen; these are no reflection “hot spots”. The AG coating results in a matte finish on the screen.

AR glass is added to protect the monitor’s LCD panel. When sunlight hits AR glass, the light energy is consolidated into a small but very bright reflected spot of light; the image on the rest of the screen stays in tact. By tilting or turning the monitor a few degrees, the operator can usually eliminate the bright spot entirely from his screen, and see clear start images even in direct bright sunlight.

The aspect ratio of a LCD display is the proportional relationship of its width compared to its height. The two numbers are commonly separated by a colon. The most common aspect ratios are 16:9 (aka widescreen) and 4:3 (closer to the shape of a square monitor, such as old CRT’s and TV’s). It is best to choose a monitor with the same aspect ratio as your video signal. You cannot customize a monitor’s native aspect ratio, so it is critical to know the aspect ratio of your incoming video signal beforehand.

Auto re-start after power loss is a built-in feature, standard with all TRU-Vu monitors which ensures video is immediately displayed upon restoration of power following a power loss.

An automated ambient light sensor (sometimes shortened to ALS) on an LCD monitor allows for automatic brightness adjustment based on the environmental light surrounding the monitor. Ambient Light Sensors allow users to set brightness and timing ranges to control the intensity of these automatic adjustments. This means users have the ability to specify the maximum and minimum brightness levels the Ambient Light Sensor can adjust between. Additionally, you can specify how long you would like the sensor to wait before adjusting the brightness (between 1 and 60 seconds).

The bezel is the outside frame or edge that surrounds the monitor’s front glass or LCD panel. For aesthetics or hygiene, some people prefer frameless, Zero-Bezel monitors.

Luminance (AKA Brightness) is the measurement of how much light a monitor emits. The SI unit for luminance is Candela per Square Meter (Cd/m²). One Cd/m² is equal to one “nit,” a more common term with LCD monitors. The measure of nits a LCD display emits will be the main factor in determining the monitor’s perceived brightness. A monitor luminance of around 250-350 nits will work well indoors and most monitors fall in this range. 400-700 nits would be ideal for daylight use (Daylight Viewable monitors). 1,000 nits or more is required for viewing in direct, bright sunlight (Sunlight Readable monitors)

BNC Loop-Thru refers to a BNC input and BNC output on the same device. This will “loop” the input signal back out of the device (as an output) to send to other equipment. For example, BNC Loop-Thru enables you to have a camera connected to a monitor that displays the image. The monitor then sends those same video images to second monitor (in another area) or to a DVR (digital video recorder).

Color temperature is a way to describe light appearance provided by a video source or monitor. Color temperature is measured in Kelvin (K) and typically ranges from 2500K to 7500K. Higher Kelvin results in a cooler, bluer, daylight color temperature. Lower Kelvin results in a warmer, redder, candlelight color temperature. A balanced color temperature where the colors look natural for the scene is considered “white balanced.” This is when the color white looks like a true white without any other color present. NTSC, PAL, and now ATSC standards suggest video content on monitors to be displayed using 6500K. However, not all content adheres to this, so monitors may need to be tuned for the content to achieve white balance.

The contrast ratio measures the range of brightness to darkness the monitor can produce. The end ratio is presented as X:1, where X represents the size of the range. The higher the number, the better the image quality. This is measured by showing the whitest white and comparing it to the blackest black on screen. The static contrast ratio is tested using the same image (usually a black and white checkered display) on screen to measure the range. Dynamic contrast ratio is unrealistic, and will inflate this number greatly by adjusting the screen settings during testing.

The control of a LCD monitor is usually accomplished through the OSD (On-Screen Display) via a small group of pushbuttons on the rear or front of the monitor, or via an IR remote that allow the user to access the monitor’s settings.

A monitor with Dim-to-Black control means the monitor’s up and down arrow buttons have been programmed to adjust the monitor’s brightness and contrast at the same time. Dim-to-Black is useful in applications where the monitor is constantly used in different lighting environments. Rather than searching through the OSD (On-Screen Display) menu each time to adjust the screen’s brightness, Dim-to-Black allows for manual transitions on the fly. This is different from the Ambient Light Sensor, which adjusts the monitor’s brightness automatically.

Display Colors is the number of colors the monitor can display. The higher, the better. These numbers are always shown in millions unless it is a dated monitor. Standard LCD monitors have 16.7 million colors, which equals 24-bit color. Color bits and display colors are directly related since display colors is based on the power of two. This is because 2 raised to the 24th power comes out to ~16.7 million.

The humidity specification on the LCD monitor data sheets relate to relative humidity (RH) and is shown as a percentage. Relative Humidity measures water vapor, but relative to the temperature of the air. It measures the amount of actual water vapor in the air compared to the total amount of vapor that can occur at the current temperature. The same absolute humidity level but in two different climates will result in two different relative humidities. The relative humidity would be higher in the cooler climate, and lower in the warmer climate. The higher the percentage, the more humid it is relative to the temperature in the environment. At 100% relative humidity, the air is saturated and is at its dew point.

Hertz (Hz) is the unit used to measure the refresh rate of a monitor. The refresh rate refers to the number of times a monitor can show a static image per second. This is similar to frame rate, but slightly different. Frame rate refers to the content itself, refresh rate refers to the display. Too low of a refresh rate on a monitor with high frame rate content will result in excessive motion blur.

Interlaced is a method of scanning video. Video sources that have the letter i in them are interlaced (e.g. 1080i). This method of scans the even and odd numbered lines as two separate fields. First the even scan lines are drawn, then the odd scan lines. One each of complete even and odd scan line fields make up one video frame. Interlaced video will double the perceived frame rate of a display without consuming extra bandwidth. However, interlacing effects like combing can occur if the interlaced video is displayed using a slower speed than it was captured, or in still frames.

IR (Infrared) touch screen monitors do not overlay the display with an additional screen or screen sandwich. Instead, infrared monitors use IR emitters and receivers to create an invisible grid of light beams across the screen. This ensures the best possible image quality. When an object interrupts the invisible infrared light beam, the sensors are able to locate the touch point, and send the X and Y coordinates to the controller. IR touch screens generally feature larger screen sizes.

Isotropic Failure results when direct sunlight and high ambient temperatures combine to overheat the LCD screen. The screen will darken, or turn completely black. If the monitor’s internal temperature approaches 100°C (212°F) temperatures, the LCD panel will suffer irreparable harm. Please note that a monitor’s internal temperature may far exceed ambient temperatures when positioned in direct, bright sunlight. Therefore, the rated operating temperature of the LCD panel and the overall monitor must be sufficient to survive the worst-case heat scenarios that the monitor will be exposed to.

LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display. The LCD panel directs the light from the backlight and produces the picture we see on the monitor’s screen. LCD panels use tiny liquid crystals to shift the light from one color to the next. The crystals are controlled using voltage from the monitor. Different LCD panels offer different advantages and can vary the overall cost of the monitor greatly.

LED Backlights are the most common backlights used in LCD flat panel displays today. The LED backlights are what illuminates the LCD panel. Without any backlights, an image could not be seen. A monitor’s life is based on the life of the backlights because they are so essential. LED backlights succeeded CCFL backlights and are more energy efficient, offer better contrast and brightness, and greater color range. LED backlights must be used with LCD panels to display an image.

Luminance (AKA Brightness) is the measurement of how much light a monitor emits. The SI unit for luminance is Candela per Square Meter (Cd/m²). One Cd/m² is equal to one “nit,” a more common term with LCD monitors. The measure of nits a LCD display emits will be the main factor in determining the monitor’s perceived brightness. A monitor luminance of around 250-350 nits will work well indoors and most monitors fall in this range. 400-700 nits would be ideal for daylight use (Daylight Viewable monitors). 1,000 nits or more is required for viewing in direct, bright sunlight (Sunlight Readable monitors)

MTBF stands for Mean Time Between Failure. A monitor’s MTBF refers to the time period when the the monitor’s backlights will dim to 50% of the original brightness. MTBF is typically measured in hours. If the backlights of an LCD monitor with standard brightness levels dim to 50%, it is considered unusable because the screen is not bright enough for any use.

Multi-touch refers to the ability for a touchscreen to interpret multiple touch points being triggered at the same time. Common multi-touch actions include zooming in by performing a pinch-like maneuver, or pressing two buttons at the same time. Multi-touch is the overarching term that refers to any touchscreen action that accepts more than one touch point being triggered. This is common with P-Cap and some IP touch screens.

The MVA panel is a type of LCD panel. MVA panels are newer than TN panels and offer wider viewing angles (typically 178° x 178°) This allows the monitor to be used in landscape or portrait mode, or mounted above eye level, with no loss of image quality.

Nits is the measurement of luminance. Nit is believed to come from the Latin word nitere, to shine. It is the measure of light emitter in a unit area and frequently used to specify the brightness of a display. Standard displays feature 200-300 nits, whereas Sunlight Readable Monitors range from 1,000 – 2,500 nits.

Open frame monitors are provided without typical enclosures. They are often used for limited-space applications, or when the display will be integrated into a machine or system. Open frame monitors and touch screens are available in two configurations: all components are mounted to the rear of the LC panel, or in a “kit” version, the LCD panel and all other components are provided loose, enabling the end user to mount them in any way they desire.

The operating temperature of the LCD video display is the range of temperature that is deemed acceptable for using the monitor. Operating outside the high end of this range can result in isotropic failure, or the components can begin to fail at temperatures below the low end of the range. The storage temperature of a monitor will always be equal to or greater than the operating temperature since monitors generate heat when operated.

Adding glass over a LCD panel does protect it. However, this also causes increased internal reflections, both from external light as well as from the LCD’s own backlights, thereby reducing image quality. It also creates an air gap between the glass and the panel.

Optical Bonding is the process of injecting an optical-grade resin into the gap between the LCD panel and the glass. This eliminates internal reflections, eliminates the possibility of internal condensation, increases the contrast ratio, and improves the image quality.

Pinch-to-Zoom is a common multi-touch gesture used on many touchscreens, especially cell phones. This is when you use two fingers in a pinching motion to zoom in or out on a touchscreen. P-Cap (Projected Capacitive) touch screens enable this multi-touch capability.

Sometimes referred to as a “dot,” as in “dots per inch”, “Pixel” is short for picture elements, which make up an image, similar to grains in a photograph or dots in a half-tone.  Each pixel can represent a number of different shades or colors, depending on how much storage space is allocated for it.  Pixels per inch (ppi) are sometimes the preferred term, as it more accurately describes the digital image.  The actual physical size of the pixel is equal to the pixel pitch of the display.  If your display is set to something less than the maximum resolution, then a pixel will be larger than the actual size of the screen dot, i.e., a pixel will use more than one dot.

Pixel pitch (AKA Dot Pitch) is the distance from one pixel’s center to the adjacent pixel’s center. Pixel pitch is measured in millimeters (mm) and most LCD monitors range from 0.10mm to 0.70mm. Pixel pitch is directly correlated to resolution and viewing distance. The smaller the pixel pitch, the more condensed the pixels are, and the higher the resolution. However, a smaller pixel pitch requires a closer viewing distance. The viewing distance should decide the ideal pixel pitch for you.

Polarizing filters are made from a type of transparent crystal, which allow certain light waves to pass through. A vertical allows vertical light waves, and blocks horizontal light waves, and vice versa. LCD monitors use two polarizers to control the brightness of the light. Care must be taken to choose the proper polarizers. For example, Incorrect polarizers used in Sunlight Readable monitors would result in the monitors appearing invisible to anyone wearing polarized sunglasses.

Private labelling is when one company manufactures a product that will be sold under another company’s brand. TRU-Vu private labels a great number of monitors and touch screens, featuring the client’s name, model number and logo on the front bezel and rear label.

Protective glass is when an extra layer of glass is added onto the front of the LCD screen. The primary reason to place glass over the LCD panel is to protect the panel from damaged. AR (Anti-Reflective) or AG (Anti-Glare) glass will help to reduce unwanted reflections and glare.

Rack mount is a type of enclosure that features flanges on the left and right sides suitable for mounting directly into a standard 19” rack with the face of the LCD monitor visible at all times. The height of the unit is measured in rack units (RU) where 8U and 9U are most common to fit 17-inch or 19-inch LCDs.

The refresh rate refers to the number of times a monitor can show a static image per second. Hertz (Hz) is the unit used to measure the refresh rate of a monitor. This is similar to frame rate. Frame rate refers to the content itself, whereas refresh rate refers to the display showing the content. Too low of a refresh rate on a monitor with high frame rate content will result in excessive motion blur. Almost all monitors built for use in North America feature a 60Hz refresh rate. However some gaming monitors can feature refresh rates of 144Hz or higher.

The display resolution of a LCD monitor is the number of horizontal pixels multiplied by the number of vertical pixels. TRU-Vu’s display resolutions range from 640 x 480 up to 3840 x 2160 (aka 4K resolution). Larger display sizes will typically require higher resolutions that provide sharp image quality. However, LCD displays with smaller screen sizes can have lower pixel resolutions but still produce excellent image quality.

RGB stands for Red Green Blue. It is the color model used in sensing, representing, and displaying images in electronic systems like monitors and computers. RGB is an additive color model that adds the 3 primary colors (red, green, and blue) together to reproduce a an array of colors. Red, green, and blue together will result in white. LCD monitors will use RGB sub-pixels to create different colored pixels in order to represent a larger picture.

SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) is a touch screen technology. SAW touch screens utilize a series of piezoelectric transducers and receivers along the sides of the monitor’s glass plate to create an invisible grid of ultrasonic waves on the surface. When the panel is touched, a portion of the wave is absorbed. This allows the receiving transducer to locate the touch point and send this data to the computer. SAW monitors can be activated by a finger, gloved hand, or soft-tip stylus.

SAW touch screens provide excellent image quality. However, contaminants on the surface can interfere with the touch sensing grid, so cleanliness is important. You also must use a soft object to trigger this device so ultrasonic waves can be absorbed. Hard objects such as a pen, credit card, or fingernail will not work well.

The screen size of an LCD monitor is determined by measuring from one corner of the LCD screen (excluding the bezel) diagonally to the opposite corner of the LCD screen. Screen size is measured in inches. Screen size is not to be confused with Viewable Area, as the viewable area is the horizontal measurement multiplied by the vertical measurement of the LCD Screen.

The shock rating shows the maximum amount of shock that can occur without damaging the display. The shock rating of a monitor is measured by the maximum acceleration of gravity (G) over a given time, usually milliseconds (msec). A monitor experiencing a shock greater than the provided rating or if the shock occurs quicker than the given time will result in complications or failure.

Surface capacitive touch screen monitors have a transparent electrode layer placed on top of a glass panel, and covered by a protective cover. When an exposed finger touches the monitor screen, it reacts to the static electrical capacity of the human body; some of the electrical charge transfers from the screen to the user. This decrease in capacitance is detected by sensors located at the four corners of the screen, allowing the controller to determine the exact touch point. Surface capacitive touch screens can only be activated by the touch of human skin or a stylus holding an electrical charge. It will not activate with a gloved finger, or other objects.

Super Video Graphics Array (SVGA) is a set of video standards one step above VGA. SVGA can display up to 16 million colors with a resolution of 800 x 600 compared to VGA’s maximum of 640 x 480.

The TN panel is a type of LCD panel; TN stands for twisted nematic and is one of the most widely used, cost effective, but oldest LCD panels available. The viewing angles are not as good as other types of panels, and are generally worn when viewing the monitor from below. However, the response time is one of the quickest out of all LCD panels.

Other technologies allow for multitouch functions such as pinch-to-zoom, but cannot work with operators wearing thick gloves. The type of touch screen technology you select will be contingent upon many factors, including type of data to be displayed (video, graphics, text), the intended users, the operating environment and where/how it will be mounted. Chosen correctly, touch screen monitors will be an excellent addition to your system. Please see our touch screen guide for further details.

The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) is a technical standards organization that has created many computer display standards. Its most prominent standard today is the VESA Mounting Interface Standard (MIS) or simply the VESA Mount. VESA Mounts simplify mounting by standardizing the hole pattern that a monitor and mount must fit. VESA mount patterns are measured in millimeters and listed as the horizontal by vertical distance between the center of the mount holes. An example would be “VESA 75×75” meaning the 4 screw holes are all 75mm apart.

The video inputs on a monitor show what incoming video signals the monitor can interpret. This also tells you what cables are needed to send the signal from your source to the monitor. Common video inputs include: HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort, Composite BNC, DVI, and HD-SDI. Some transmit audio and video, others only transmit video.

The viewable area of a video display is the actual width of the LCD screen (typically in inches) x by the height of the LCD screen in inches (excluding the enclosure). This measures the total area of the screen and shows how wide and tall the screen will be. Monitors with the same Screen Size will have the same Viewable Area and visa versa.

The viewing angle of a monitor is the maximum angle the monitor can be viewed at before image quality degrades. Viewing angles are measured in horizontal and vertical degrees. When the monitor is in a position where viewing occurs outside of this maximum angle, the brightness and contrast ratio will begin to drop. At a severe enough angle, the perceived colors on screen will begin to shift. Make sure your monitor’s end position will allow viewing within these angles for ideal results. The worst viewing angle for most LCD panels is usually from the bottom looking upward at the panel. A MVA-type panel will provide full 178° x 178° viewing angles.

Waterproof means a device is completely sealed from the ingress of water under specified conditions. The waterproofed device will remain unaffected by water. IP ratings and NEMA standards measure waterproofing based on specified conditions. We have a full line of waterproof monitors and touch screens.

Zero Bezel or Bezel-Less enclosures are monitors which have no bezel, frame, or edge around the front edges. If you run your finger across the monitor’s front face, you would never feel a bump on the edges. Zero Bezel or Bezel-Less monitors are more stylish and hygienic. They are far superior medical displays, as the bezels found on standard LCD monitors often able germs and debris to collect near and under the bezel.

If you are new to the world of digital projectors, you won"t have to shop around long before discovering that the terms LCD and DLP refer to two different kinds of projectors. They are in fact two different kinds of microdisplay imaging technology. You might not even know what LCD and DLP are before asking the obvious question "which one is better?"

It is important to note there is a third significant light engine technology called LCoS (liquid crystal on silicon). It is developed and marketed by several vendors, most notably Canon, JVC, and Sony. Many excellent projectors have been made with LCoS technology, including several outstanding home theater projectors that can, in the opinion of many observers, surpass the value proposition of both LCD and DLP offerings. The discussion of LCoS technology is beyond the scope of this article, and will be addressed separately in an upcoming article.

You may have already seen the term 3LCD on websites and in projector literature and press releases. Several makers of LCD projectors have adopted 3LCD as a marketing brand name. It is intended to distinguish the specific implementation of LCD technology found in digital projectors from the more common direct view LCD displays found in a wide variety of consumer products. In LCD projectors there are always three LCD panels, and they are always light transmissive devices rather than reflective or direct view displays. Within the projector industry, there is no technical difference between 3LCD and LCD, and the terms can be used interchangeably.

Well, the answer to this question depends on your definition of the word "lead." As of this writing, DLP technology has a significant lead in terms of the number of models currently in production. As of this date, July 28, 2009, our database lists 704 different DLP-based models in production, as compared to 430 LCD models. Thus, DLP holds a commanding lead in the number and variety of models being produced.

However, this is not the whole story. Many of the best selling projectors these days are LCD models. As an example, at the moment, six of the Top 10 Most Popular 1080p home theater projectors on this site are LCD"s, two are DLP and two are LCoS. In fact, despite the clear advantage DLP has in the number of models in production, Pacific Media Associates reports that LCD projectors held a 51% market share by unit volume in 2008. Clearly both technologies have a huge market presence, and neither one is about to emerge as the dominant player.

LCD (liquid crystal display) projectors contain three separate LCD glass panels, one each for the red, green, and blue components of the video signal. Each LCD panel contains thousands (or millions) of liquid crystals that can be aligned in either open, closed, or partially closed positions to allow light to pass through. Each liquid crystal behaves in essence like a shutter or blind, and each represents a single pixel ("picture element"). As red, green, and blue light passes through the respective LCD panels, the liquid crystals open and close based on how much of each color is needed for that pixel at that moment in time. This activity modulates the light and produces the image that is projected onto the screen.

DLP ("Digital Light Processing") is a proprietary technology developed by Texas Instruments. It works quite differently than LCD. Instead of having glass panels through which light is passed, the DLP chip is a reflective surface made up of thousands (or millions) of tiny mirrors. Each mirror represents a single pixel.

Sealed imaging chip. Most DLP projectors have sealed DLP chips that eliminate the possibility of a dust particle alighting on the imaging plane, which could create a dust spot on the projected image. LCD projectors do not have sealed panels, and the possibility of getting a dust spot exists. This is especially true when air filters are not cleaned periodically as per operator manual instructions.

Whether filter-free design is a true advantage to the user is a matter of competitive debate and controversy. In most DLP projectors, components other than the imaging chip itself are not sealed and can be adversely affected by a build-up of dust. In particular, dust on the color wheel may affect color and image quality. Dust particles can burn or melt when coming into contact with the lamp surface, thereby accelerating the degradation of lumen output over the life of the lamp. The degree to which a filter-free projector might be adversely affected depends on how much dust there is in the operating environment. Texas Instruments maintains that the amount of dust found in a normal room environment will not adversely affect the operation of a filter-free projector. Those who advocate the use of filters maintain that air filters will prevent an accelerated degradation of the lamp"s lumen output, even in normal room conditions.

Those who advocate using air filters on projectors maintain that dust is never good inside a projector, and that the user is better off with a filtered design that prevents dust from entering the projector to begin with. All LCD projectors use air filters, as do some of the higher end 3-chip DLP models from vendors such as Runco and Digital Projection.

Those who support filter-free designs point out that many users of filtered projectors do not follow recommendations for cleaning or replacing air filters. If an air filter gets clogged over time, it can inhibit airflow, increase internal operating temperatures, and adversely affect the life of the LCD panels.

No convergence problems. All projectors using three imaging devices, whether they are LCD, DLP, or LCoS, must have all three devices aligned perfectly so that the red, green, and blue information for each pixel is in convergence. Over time, these three device systems can slip out of alignment. On occasion they can come out of the box, brand new, with slight convergence errors. Convergence errors can soften the projector"s image and create color artifacts where there shouldn"t be any.

Contrast advantages. Most business class DLP projectors (those intended for portable presentation or conference room use) have much higher Full On/Off contrast ratings than comparably priced LCD models. ANSI contrast figures are rarely published in the projector industry, but our measurements indicate DLP projectors usually have an edge over the LCD competition in ANSI contrast as well. However, with the introduction of inorganic LCD panels that are now used in most LCD 1080p home theater products, DLP"s traditional advantage in contrast within the home theater market niche has been neutralized to a large extent.

No image persistence. If one displays a static image for an extended period of time, an LCD projector with organic LCD panels may have a tendency to retain a subtle ghost of that image even after the subject matter is switched to another image. This does not occur on a DLP projector. Nor does it occur on LCD projectors that use inorganic panels.

Some of the advertising hyperbole has blown the seriousness of this issue out of proportion. Anti-LCD ads have claimed that LCD projectors are subject to "burn-in." Strictly speaking, this is not really true. Burn-in, in traditional usage, refers to permanent damage that can be suffered by CRT or plasma phosphor-based displays. Once a static image has been etched into a phosphor display through long term exposure, it cannot be removed. This is a different phenomenon than we see on LCDs. On organic LCD displays, when image persistence occurs, it is temporary and can normally be erased by displaying a white screen for a period of time.

Nevertheless, the point is that image persistence does not occur on either DLP projectors or inorganic LCD projectors. So on these products there is never any need to take steps to erase a persisting image.

No degradation of image quality over time. There is usually no degradation of image quality on DLP projectors when used over long periods of time, other than that which might result from excessive internal dust build-up. But in any event, the DLP chips themselves will not degrade. Conversely, LCD panels and polarizers can degrade with time, causing color shifts, unevenness of illumination, and reduction of contrast. The degree to which LCD degradation is a problem on current products is somewhat of a mystery since those who know the most about it (the LCD manufacturers) don"t discuss it publicly. This issue will be discussed further below.

Somewhat less pixelation/screendoor effect on low resolution products. One of the historical advantages of DLP over LCD has been a reduced level of pixelation in the image. Pixels tend to have sharper definition on an LCD projector, and this can produce a more visible pixel structure in the image. This is often called the screendoor effect, since the picture on low resolution projectors can look like it is being viewed through a screendoor.

However, the differences between LCD and DLP in this regard are not as great as they used to be for two reasons. First, LCD makers have achieved smaller interpixel gaps, making the screendoor effect much less visible. Second, the average native resolution of projectors being sold today has increased dramatically over what it was several years ago. With increases in resolution come smaller pixels and a less noticeable pixelation across the board. Nevertheless, on low resolution products like SVGA and even standard XGA, DLP projectors still have an advantage in manifesting somewhat less visible pixel structure than LCD projectors. (Note: There is a disadvantage to having less distinct pixel structure, which is reduced image sharpness. We will discuss this further below.)

DLP leads in miniaturization. The single-chip light engine affords the opportunity for extreme miniaturization that LCD cannot quite match. At the moment there are 15 DLP projectors on the market that weigh less than 3 lbs and put out more than 1000 lumens. By comparison, the lightest 3LCD projector on the market weighs 3.5 lbs and most are 4 lbs or more.

Since LCD projectors and 3-chip DLP projectors always deliver a constant red, green, and blue image simultaneously, they do not create rainbow artifacts.

Today, some DLP projectors being built for the home theater market use a color wheel containing two sets of red, green, and blue filters. This wheel still spins at 7200 RPM, but because red, green, and blue are refreshed twice in every rotation rather than once, the industry refers to this as a 4x rotation speed. And by increasing the physical rotation speed beyond 7200 RPM, some projectors now have 5x or 6x speed wheels. For the large majority of users, the 5x and 6x speed wheels in most current home theater models have reduced rainbow artifacts in video display to the point where they are of little or no concern.

However, most DLP projectors built for commercial/presentation use still use 2x speed wheels because they are less expensive. This is perfectly fine if the presentation matter is static charts, graphics, photography, or anything that does not stimulate rapid eye movement. We do not recommend DLP projectors with 2x speed wheels to buyers for whom video display or part time home theater are important intended uses.

Color saturation/color brightness. Some DLP projectors have excellent color saturation, and some are exceptionally poor. This is related more to the vendor"s implementation than anything inherent in the technology itself. Advocates of 3LCD technology have been quite vocal about the lack of color brightness on single-chip DLP products, particularly those that have white segments in the color wheel. This phenomenon is worth commenting on.

When you use a light meter to measure the brightness of red, green, and blue on an LCD projector, the sum of the values usually adds up to the brightness reading you get for white. This makes sense because on an LCD projector, white is created by turning the red, green, and blue channels all fully on. But on a DLP projector, this is often not the case. Due to the presence of a white segment in the wheel, the white reading can be as much as double the sum of the brightness readings for red, green, and blue. In other words, if an LCD projector measures 2000 lumens of white light, you will also get 2000 lumens of color light out of it. If a DLP projector measures 2000 lumens of white, you might get only 1000 lumens of actual color light from it, the rest being white light.

Because of this, proponents of 3LCD technology have been lobbying for color brightness specs to be included along with ANSI lumen specs on the industry"s specification sheets, and support for this has been building in the industry. In the spec wars, quite clearly this would be one metric on which LCD has a commanding advantage over DLP. Not surprisingly, Epson and Sony have already begun to publish color brightness specs on their LCD projectors to drive home the point. The color spec is always the same as the ANSI lumen rating, and the specs will read, as an example, "2600 lumens color light output, 2600 lumens white light output."

From a practical perspective, we have mixed feelings about all of this. Clearly, the 3LCD camp is correct t