OLED vs LCD
September 30, 2009 0 CommentsOLED vs LCD in
Video Glasses
OLED
THE SCIENCE
With OLED (organic light emitting diode), a stack of organic
polymers, including both emissive and conductive layers, is
deposited on a substrate containing a thin-film transistor (TFT)
array. An electrical charge passing between the bottom electrodes
and an additional transparent layer on the surface of the display
stimulates the emissive organic layer, which in turn creates
light.
STRENGTHS
Like LCD, OLED requires no backlight or projection lamp. But unlike
most LCD 's we've seen to date, an OLED doesn't need to keep its
pixel cells partially fired up at all times to be ready to respond
to the signal. That's because OLED cells respond so quickly, they
can be fully turned off until needed. Signal response time in an
OLED is measured in microseconds (a far cry from the several
millisecond response times in today's LCDs). Bottom line: Blacks on
an OLED should be pretty much as black as black can be, which makes
for a bright and dynamic picture with depth that has to be seen to
be believed.
OLEDs also promise dramatically reduced power consumption, and much faster screen response times than LCD.
With a depth of only a few millimeters, OLED is one of the thinnest display technologys available - its ultra-slim form factor makes it akin to an architectural element like glass or mirror. Also, variations on the technology, such as transparent OLED, hold the promise of cool, futuristic augmented reality applications.
WEAKNESSES
Manufacturing OLEDs involves
several patented technologies, which require costly license fees.
This results in the technology being more expensive that LCD.
LCD is a mature technology. OLED technology has barely busted out of the lab. IN addition to Video Glasses OLED displays can be found in digital cameras, GPS units, and portable media players. Two reasons why OLED manufacturing lags behind LCD are low yield (only a small number of panels actually make it past the quality-control stage) and differential aging (the blue pixels in an OLED display tend to lose brightness at a faster rate than red and green ones, which means OLED displays may have a limited lifespan compared to LCD.
LCD
THE SCIENCE
A matrix of thin-film transistors applies voltage to liquid
crystal-filled cells sandwiched between two sheets of glass. When
hit with an electrical charge, the crystals "untwist" to filter
light coming from behind the cells. Each pixel comprises a red,
green, and blue cell.
STRENGTHS
Image quality is advancing rapidly among LCD manufacturers.
Response time, color accuracy, picture uniformity (the ability to
deliver consistent brightness and color across the screen), and
horizontal viewing windows have (for the most part) improved
notably in the latest generation of sets. But the biggest thing LCD
may have going for it is that manufacturers are banking on it as
the future of mass market television, and have invested mountains
of cash in new automated plants that will drive volume up and
prices down. This should also drive prices down for Video Glasses
Displays.
WEAKNESSES
Many LCDs lose contrast when you're off-axis. Some screens are susceptible to motion blur and judder.
