LCD TV

Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) are a form of monitor consisting of a thin fluid of crystalline molecules backlit by a light source. Such displays are often used as computer monitors and television sets. Due to early limitations in the technology, LCD television sets have received less enthusiasm from the market in comparison to other flat panel technologies such as plasma and digital light processing, but these issues have recently begun to be addressed, and liquid crystal televisions are currently poised to enter the market competitively.

Crystals and Currents

LCD displays operate by means of liquid crystal molecules placed between two transparent panels, one of which is coated with a special polymer that allows the fluid to bond to it. Both panels are polarized in such a way to block all light unless such light is manipulated by the movements of the crystals. By running an electric current into the crystalline fluid, the direction of incoming light is subtly twisted into various directions, enabling the display of images through the otherwise opaque panels. Varying electrical fields will stimulate various movements of the crystals and thus create different displays. Since the crystals do not emit their own light, the light source itself is externally provided by means of a florescent bulb.

Issues of Size

LCD televisions tend to be flatter and lighter than their competitors, and this renders them more convenient to wall-mount and nove about the home. They have thus far also tended to be much smaller in terms of screen size than their competition, and some of the unpopularity of LCD TVs can be attributed to the fact that very few liquid crystal televisions larger than 42-inches have been affordably priced; while smaller-size LCD TVs have been fairly strong sellers, the higher costs involved in LCD manufacture has for a time rendered larger-scale units impractical. As of late 2004, however, at least one major manufacturer has placed on the market an LCD television as large as 82-inches, and other companies are expected to follow suit.

LCD: Pros and Cons

Liquid crystal displays possess several drawbacks. Older LCD TVs often demonstrate evidence of ghosting, a term for visual artifacts briefly formed on the screen due to a slow refresh rate. Such problems are found in other flat screen TVs as well and are being increasingly phased out all across the market. Another common complaint is that convenient viewing angles for an LCD TV are limited in comparison to those of the competition. LCD TVs also infrequently suffer from screen burn-in. On the plus side, LCD displays use very low expenditures of energy, and tend to have extremely long life spans. In addition, many LCD displays are purchasable with full television functionality, in contrast to plasma screens, which are often simply monitors and thus require external tuners.

By Matthew Ingalls