Society of Information Display (SID) held 2010 International Symposium, Seminar, and Exhibition from May 23 to May 28, 2010 at Washington State Convention Center, Seattle, WA, USA. The SID, that is now in its 48th year, is the major international event for scientists, engineers, manufacturers, and users in the electronic-display industry. Below is a brief review for only three of many products presented this year.
Samsung has presented an ultra energy-efficient USB-powered monitor. It is an 18.5" LCD display capable of running exclusively from USB - no adapter required. It is an extremely energy efficient display. Built with LED backlight, Samsung has been able to drop the peak power consumption down to only 6.3W. That is why the device can function from bus power over USB.
SONY has introduced a rollable (bendable) OLED display. The flexible OLED measures 4.1" and is only 80 micrometers thick. To reach the goal of a rollable display, SONY developed OTFT - organic TFT (thin film transistor) with original organic semiconductor material. The rollable OLED has a resolution of 432x240 pixel, 16.8 million colors, and contrast ratio 1000:1.
LG has showed the largest 3-D display in the World. This display is a gigantic 84" ultra high definition (UHD) 3-D panel with 3840x2160 resolutions. That is four times the resolution of previous full HD TV panels with (1920x1080). To enable watching in 3-D, the display requires a polarized glasses.
Showing posts with label monitor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label monitor. Show all posts
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Fixing a Broken Laptop Screen Yourself is Easier Than You Think
Laptop screen problems can be different. It may be easy fixable or may require certain efforts. Some LCD screen issues can be resolved by cleaning or running software, others replacing with a new LCD panel in worst-case scenario. Anyway, the first step is to define what type of problem your screen has.
First of all, if your LCD screen has small black spots it can be just a dirt. In this case you will need to clean the screen. It is better to use distilled water (or tap water, at last resort) but not a solvent. Shut down your laptop before cleaning. Using a lint-free microfiber cloth is best, an old cloth can introduce dust. Finally, dry the screen with a dry cloth.
If small black spots did not disappear after cleaning or the spots are white or colorized, it is quite possible that the screen has faulty pixels. Faulty pixels can be different by nature. According to a typical classification, they can be stuck, hot, and dead. And consequently, they require different approaches to fix. At times, stuck pixels may start working with time again. Sometimes such pixels can be re-energized by turning them on and off rapidly (you can try to use some pixels-fixing software tools).
You may find many different advices on the Internet how to deal with faulty pixels. Some of them are worth to try, others may damage the screen (for instance, using an excessive heat). Anyway, it is better to try different approaches to fix these pixels (at least to make sure that the only one option is left). Unfortunately, if your srceen has a dead or a partially dead pixels, in most cases there is nothing that you can do about it other than replacing your LCD screen with a new panel.
LCD screens are more fragile than old CRTs and faulty pixels can be easily contributed by users if pressure is put upon screen. As well as, the screen may have scratches. Some people try CD scratch remover but as a rule it makes the screen worse. The matter of fact, every LCD panel has a coating on top of the actual screen, this is what is scratched. Unfortunately, it can not be repaired. If your screen has many scratches, looks too ugly, then the most radical solution would be to replace the screen.
In case of dark screen, flicker, stripes, or other image problem, the first step should be to make sure that this is a screen problem, not other laptop's part. Therefore, it is necessary to check if other parts of laptop work. The easiest way is just to connect an external monitor through video output. If picture is good it means the laptop screen is non-functional or broken.
In case of dimmed screen or flicker it might be broken inverter or back-light bulb (that causes flicker). The back-light lamp is mounted inside the screen. When the back-light lamp fails, you have to replace the whole LCD screen (it is possible to replace only the lamp but very hard). All screen parts are supplied in one module that can be replaced.
If your screen is not repairable, a good cost-effective solution could be to replace the screen on your own. Are non-technical people capable to replace a laptop screen themselves? Evidently, yes. No doubt that most people are scared to change their laptop screen first time. But replacing LCD screen is easy. It is only slightly more difficult than changing a light-bulb: removing 6 screws, pulling off a bezel, disconnecting the old screen, and the installation of the new screen by following steps in reverse order. You may learn from some on-line illustrated guide how to replace LCD screen.
Since most laptop manufacturers charge too much, search for a good online store-retailer for your screen replacement (it should be within $50-150 depending on model). Some places carry a big inventory of brand new LCD panels to replace any notebook screen. If you are unable to find a particular model listed on their website, call or email them to find a screen replacement for your laptop.
© Alex Smartson. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
First of all, if your LCD screen has small black spots it can be just a dirt. In this case you will need to clean the screen. It is better to use distilled water (or tap water, at last resort) but not a solvent. Shut down your laptop before cleaning. Using a lint-free microfiber cloth is best, an old cloth can introduce dust. Finally, dry the screen with a dry cloth.
If small black spots did not disappear after cleaning or the spots are white or colorized, it is quite possible that the screen has faulty pixels. Faulty pixels can be different by nature. According to a typical classification, they can be stuck, hot, and dead. And consequently, they require different approaches to fix. At times, stuck pixels may start working with time again. Sometimes such pixels can be re-energized by turning them on and off rapidly (you can try to use some pixels-fixing software tools).
You may find many different advices on the Internet how to deal with faulty pixels. Some of them are worth to try, others may damage the screen (for instance, using an excessive heat). Anyway, it is better to try different approaches to fix these pixels (at least to make sure that the only one option is left). Unfortunately, if your srceen has a dead or a partially dead pixels, in most cases there is nothing that you can do about it other than replacing your LCD screen with a new panel.
LCD screens are more fragile than old CRTs and faulty pixels can be easily contributed by users if pressure is put upon screen. As well as, the screen may have scratches. Some people try CD scratch remover but as a rule it makes the screen worse. The matter of fact, every LCD panel has a coating on top of the actual screen, this is what is scratched. Unfortunately, it can not be repaired. If your screen has many scratches, looks too ugly, then the most radical solution would be to replace the screen.
In case of dark screen, flicker, stripes, or other image problem, the first step should be to make sure that this is a screen problem, not other laptop's part. Therefore, it is necessary to check if other parts of laptop work. The easiest way is just to connect an external monitor through video output. If picture is good it means the laptop screen is non-functional or broken.
In case of dimmed screen or flicker it might be broken inverter or back-light bulb (that causes flicker). The back-light lamp is mounted inside the screen. When the back-light lamp fails, you have to replace the whole LCD screen (it is possible to replace only the lamp but very hard). All screen parts are supplied in one module that can be replaced.
If your screen is not repairable, a good cost-effective solution could be to replace the screen on your own. Are non-technical people capable to replace a laptop screen themselves? Evidently, yes. No doubt that most people are scared to change their laptop screen first time. But replacing LCD screen is easy. It is only slightly more difficult than changing a light-bulb: removing 6 screws, pulling off a bezel, disconnecting the old screen, and the installation of the new screen by following steps in reverse order. You may learn from some on-line illustrated guide how to replace LCD screen.
Since most laptop manufacturers charge too much, search for a good online store-retailer for your screen replacement (it should be within $50-150 depending on model). Some places carry a big inventory of brand new LCD panels to replace any notebook screen. If you are unable to find a particular model listed on their website, call or email them to find a screen replacement for your laptop.
© Alex Smartson. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
Friday, April 16, 2010
What Laptop Users Should Consider When Choosing LCD Screen Size
Screen size is a key factor in the laptop's overall performance, size, and weight. The laptop screen size also is one of the most important factors when it comes to how long your battery is going to last. What is the most optimal laptop screen size?
It is easy to take the quality of laptop for granted. But when you consider that you probably spend more time using your laptop than any other device or tool, you realize that the screen you stare at every day is a vital part of your computer system.
The laptop screen size is one of the first things that is worth to choose before considering other laptop parameters. As a matter of fact, screen size is a key factor in the laptop's overall performance, size, and weight. The laptop screen size also is one of the most important factors when it comes to how long your battery is going to last. The most popular laptop screen diagonal sizes range from 12 to 17 inches. The most popular screen resolutions are 1024 x 768, 1280 x 800, 1280 x 1024, 1680 x 1050, and 1440 x 900.
Some people would never consider any laptop below a 14.1-inch screen. The laptops with 17-inch screen or even bigger are not so convenient for traveling. However, they combine the power of a desktop and the benefits of a laptop (that is why some people call them as desktop replacements). The battery life is short for such big laptops. Another disadvantage is that these laptops may be too heavy and too big.
What screen resolution is optimal? A higher screen resolution reduces the size of items on your screen and increases the relative space on your desktop. But on the other hand, you may feel uncomfortable if fonts are too small to read a text. Another parameter is aspect ratio (the relative numbers of horizontal and vertical pixels). Traditional screens built with 4:3 aspect ratio. For example, a native resolution of 1280x1024 indicates an aspect ratio of 5:4, which is the most used format on 17" and 19" LCD monitors in the recent years. New wide-screen monitors may use almost 2:1 ratio. Wide-screen monitors use a special aspect ratio control to resolve the problem of "unnatural" displaying video with different formats. Normally, a native resolution should allow displaying without any distortion. The best way to find the perfect resolution that is optimal for you and your screen is to try different settings.
Most people like the laptops with 14-inch or larger LCD screens with preferred Windows resolution of 1,024x768. These laptops are not too heavy. They are prone to have a long battery life and charge-cycle capability (run time more than several hours). Also 14-15-inch laptops are the most reasonably priced. The experienced computer users also consider this choice as the best compromise between viewable area and overall portability.
If you prefer to have the laptop screen with size less than 15-inch, it could be reasonable to use an internal display only when you are on the road. When you at your desk, your laptop can be connected to an external monitor (for example, with a spacious 19-21-inch screen) for better view and more professional works. At desk also it could be good to use an external ergonomic keyboard and mouse (that are connected to laptop).
© Alec Smith. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
It is easy to take the quality of laptop for granted. But when you consider that you probably spend more time using your laptop than any other device or tool, you realize that the screen you stare at every day is a vital part of your computer system.
The laptop screen size is one of the first things that is worth to choose before considering other laptop parameters. As a matter of fact, screen size is a key factor in the laptop's overall performance, size, and weight. The laptop screen size also is one of the most important factors when it comes to how long your battery is going to last. The most popular laptop screen diagonal sizes range from 12 to 17 inches. The most popular screen resolutions are 1024 x 768, 1280 x 800, 1280 x 1024, 1680 x 1050, and 1440 x 900.
Some people would never consider any laptop below a 14.1-inch screen. The laptops with 17-inch screen or even bigger are not so convenient for traveling. However, they combine the power of a desktop and the benefits of a laptop (that is why some people call them as desktop replacements). The battery life is short for such big laptops. Another disadvantage is that these laptops may be too heavy and too big.
What screen resolution is optimal? A higher screen resolution reduces the size of items on your screen and increases the relative space on your desktop. But on the other hand, you may feel uncomfortable if fonts are too small to read a text. Another parameter is aspect ratio (the relative numbers of horizontal and vertical pixels). Traditional screens built with 4:3 aspect ratio. For example, a native resolution of 1280x1024 indicates an aspect ratio of 5:4, which is the most used format on 17" and 19" LCD monitors in the recent years. New wide-screen monitors may use almost 2:1 ratio. Wide-screen monitors use a special aspect ratio control to resolve the problem of "unnatural" displaying video with different formats. Normally, a native resolution should allow displaying without any distortion. The best way to find the perfect resolution that is optimal for you and your screen is to try different settings.
Most people like the laptops with 14-inch or larger LCD screens with preferred Windows resolution of 1,024x768. These laptops are not too heavy. They are prone to have a long battery life and charge-cycle capability (run time more than several hours). Also 14-15-inch laptops are the most reasonably priced. The experienced computer users also consider this choice as the best compromise between viewable area and overall portability.
If you prefer to have the laptop screen with size less than 15-inch, it could be reasonable to use an internal display only when you are on the road. When you at your desk, your laptop can be connected to an external monitor (for example, with a spacious 19-21-inch screen) for better view and more professional works. At desk also it could be good to use an external ergonomic keyboard and mouse (that are connected to laptop).
© Alec Smith. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Why LED Backlight Screens Are Better than Traditional Ones
LED-backlight LCD screens are brighter, thinner, less power-consuming, and more reliable than the screens built with fluorescent lamp. But they are more expensive too. Is it worth today to buy a laptop or monitor with LED-backlight LCD screen instead of traditional one?
A backlight (or backlit) is a form of illumination that used in LCD (liquid crystal display) screens. In other words, backlight is an internal source of white light that illuminates the LCD from the back of the display panel. This is how most modern laptop screens and desktop monitors are built. Note, LED-backlight LCD (or TFT) screen is not the same as an OLED (Organic LED) active screen which does not require a backlight to function.
Only a few years ago, display technology started incorporating LED (light emitting diode) backlights. Today LCD screens with LED backlight are still more expensive than traditional screens. Are they really better than old ones? Most computer experts would tell you that these new types of screens are brighter, thinner, less power-consuming (and less heat), and more reliable. They may forget to mention that these screens with LED backlight have longer life (old technology monitors starts dim after several years usage and loses brightness).
Also it is important that backlight-LED type of LCD screen is "greener" than a regular screen because it is mercury-free, less power-consuming, and able to prolong battery life in laptops (therefore, decrease its disposal problem). According to Dell's internal research, switching all of its laptops to LED, which use 43% less power than fluorescent lamp will save consumers $20 million dollars in energy costs and 220 million kilowatt-hours over 2010 and 2011.
There is one more reason to switch to LED backlight. Regular screens use CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp) backlighting that produces inaccurate color. CCFL emits white light that has non-uniform (stripped) spectrum. Actual white light (sunlight or daylight) has a continuous spectrum. And LED is able to produce such full spectrum white light. That is why LED-backlight screens are able to reproduce more natural and richer colors. The first users who gratefully noticed this were photographers, designers, and graphics professionals.
Important to note, now we see only the first generation of LED backlight monitors. They are not developed and worked out properly yet. In principle, manufacturing LED is cheaper than CCFL and, eventually, the monitors with LED backlit will be cheaper. Evidently, LED-backlight screen will replace soon older CCFL type as LCD replaced CRT in the past. However, it seems, the true revolution will come with OLEDs.
© Alex Smartson. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
LCD Screen Optimal Resolution
The best way to find the perfect screen resolution that is optimal for you and your LCD screen is to try different settings. However, not all settings may be good. There are a few technical limitations that users should be aware of.
A few years ago, 1024x768 was the most common display resolution. Now HD (high definition) resolution of 2560x1600 is used in 30" or bigger LCD monitors. Special medical monitors have been designed for 3280x2048 resolution. The term "display resolution" is used to describe simply the physical number of columns and rows of pixels creating the display, for example, 1280x1024, or in other words, the size of display. However, the meaning of the word "resolution" here is misleading. Such using "display resolution" means pixel dimensions which does not tell about a real resolution of the display. Technically, display resolution is measured in pixels per inch.
In digital imaging, a pixel (pic's-el, or picture element) is a single smallest point or unit of picture which can be controlled. Pixels are normally arranged in a 2-dimensional grid, and are often represented using dots or squares. Dots per inch (DPI) is a measure of spatial printing or video dot density, in particular the number of individual dots that can be placed in a line within the span of one inch (2.54 cm). As it was mentioned above, DPI is often confused with image size, leading to expressions such as 1024x768 resolution.
What screen resolution is optimal? A higher screen resolution reduces the size of items on your screen and increases the relative space on your desktop. But on the other hand, you may feel uncomfortable if fonts are too small to read a text. Another parameter is aspect ratio (the relative numbers of horizontal and vertical pixels). Traditional displays built with 4:3 aspect ratio. For example, a native resolution of 1280x1024 indicates an aspect ratio of 5:4, which is the most used format on current 17" and 19" LCD monitors. New wide-screen monitors may use almost 2:1 ratio. Wide-screen monitors use a special aspect ratio control to resolve the problem of "unnatural" displaying video with different formats. Normally, a native resolution should allow displaying without any distortion. The best way to find the perfect resolution that is optimal for you and your monitor is to try different settings.
To change your screen resolution in Windows OS, open Display in Control Panel. On the Settings tab, under Screen resolution, drag the slider, and then click Apply. When prompted to apply the settings, click OK. Your screen will turn black for a moment. Once your screen resolution changes, you have 15 seconds to confirm the change. Click Yes to confirm the change; click No or do nothing to revert to your previous setting. Your monitor and graphics card (video adapter) determine how much you can change your screen resolution; normally, it is a limited list of standard settings.
In general, a computer display resolution can be set higher or lower than the physical screen resolution. However, if old CRT monitors provided a variability in resolution, LCD displays are not so easy adjustable because they have a fixed physical resolution. You may be unable to increase the resolution of LCD display above a certain level (normally better than native resolution). The "native" resolution is the same as a screen maximum resolution if a correct video driver installed. Be aware that using a non-native low resolution on LCD may result in a poorer image (may appear blurred), due to dropping of pixels to make the image fit (if using DVI) or insufficient sampling of the analog signal (if using VGA).
© Alex Smartson. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
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