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LCD101 » Top 5 reasons to upgrade to LCDs » Which LCD is right for me » Frequently asked questions (FAQs) » How LCDs work » LCD Term Glossary Active Area/Effective Area: In the viewing area of the LCD glass, the dimensions of the perimeter of the conductive area. Bezel: A frame of plastic or metal, fitting around the LCD glass, to protect the edges of the glass. Cell: See subpixel. Cell Gap: The space containing liquid crystal fluid between the two pieces of glass. Cold Cathode Backlight (CCFT): In LCD graphic modules, a type of fluorescent backlighting or edge lighting. One or more fluorescent lamps behind the LCD panel that provides the light that is either blocked (black) or passed (white) by the LCD cell. Contrast Ratio: The difference in luminance between a white square centered on the screen and the black surrounding area. DCE™: Digital Chroma Enhancement produces rich, saturated colors when video and moving images are displayed. Digital Controls: High-tech SoftTouch digital controls electronically sense the slightest touch for easy adjustments of size, position and tuning at all resolutions. Dot/Pixel (Picture Element): The smallest active element that forms all text and graphics on the LCD screen. Ghosting: A phenomenon occurring when voltage from an energized element leaks to an adjacent OFF element and turns the adjacent element partially ON. Also, the temporary trail left by a moving object on a "slow" LCD panel. In-Plane Switching (IPS): A liquid crystal technology in which the alignment field is generated from electrodes located on a single substrate rather than on opposite sides like more conventional (TN) panels. The main advantages IPS are greater viewing angles and greater contrast ratio. Latency: See ghosting. Liquid Crystal Fluid: Having properties of both a solid and a liquid, it consists of rod-shaped bipolar molecules that are capable of twisting polarized light when in the OFF state. Module: An LCD glass connected to a PCB with drivers on board. It may also have controllers, temperature compensation circuits, or other features. Native resolution: The actual number of pixels forming the LCD panel. This is typically expressed as the number of pixels in a line by the number of lines, e.g. 1024x768. The native resolution may also be expressed in megapixels, which is calculated by multiplying pixels per line by total lines. Nit: A measure of luminance equal to 1 candela per square meter. Higher numbers indicate brighter displays. OnView® Technology: All screen adjustments are made via an on-screen menu using simple controls. OptiSync® Technology: Supports multiple inputs that feature precise display synchronization to any analog or digital computer signal for exceptional configuration flexibility. Ø-Touch™AutoTune™: Automatically provides the best image by monitoring the signals from the computer and optimizing the monitor settings. PerfectPortrait® Software: Enables the monitor to pivot easily between landscape and portrait mode. Pitch: The center-to-center distance between subpixels of the same color. Pixel: Picture element (see Dot/Pixel). Saturation Voltage: RMS voltage required to turn fluid to 90% ON. Scaling: An operation performed by a digital signal processor to fill the screen with an image not being displayed in the native resolution of the LCD panel. Subpixel: A red, blue, or green liquid crystal shutter. One subpixel of each color forms a pixel capable of displaying as many as 16.7 million colors. SuperClearMVA (Multi-Domain Vertical Alignment): Combines SuperClear screen technology digital with a liquid crystal technology in which each subpixel is subdivided into four regions in which the liquid crystal molecules align at angles to each other. The advantages of MVA are wider viewing angles and faster video response than TN or IPS. Threshold Voltage: RMS voltage required to turn fluid to 10% ON. Transmissive: An LCD which does not have a reflector or transflector laminated to the rear polarizer. A backlight must be used with this type of LCD configuration. Twisted Nematic (TN): A type of liquid crystal in which the alignment surface, and therefore the liquid crystal molecules, is oriented 90 degrees from each surface of glass. Video Response (response time): The time it takes to turn a pixel from OFF to ON to OFF again. A low number is desirable to display moving images without ghosting. Viewing Angle: A cone perpendicular to the LCD in which the contrast ratio exceeds 10. Viewing Area: The actual area that can be illuminated when the entire screen is turned ON (white). ViewMatch®: Allows users to adjust the color temperature and individual color intensity for easy screen-to- print matching. back to top |
