A new Thin-Film-Transistor (TFT) liquid-crystal technology promises to bring high performance to LCD panels up to 6.5 in. in diameter. Sharp's mobile Advanced Super View LCD technology, used in displays for the company's AQUOS LCD TVs, has been merged with the company's Advanced TFT LCD technology used in transreflective LCDs for PDAs and mobile phones. The combination yields an LCD with high-resolution video and photographic-quality still images.
The new displays are designed for mobile devices, such as camera phones, that display streaming video content and color images. They offer excellent visibility in any lighting situation, a wide viewing angle, high contrast ratio, and high-end color reproduction. Versions with diagonal sizes of 1.5, 2.4 (see the figure), 4.0, and 6.5 in. will be available for applications in digital still cameras, mobile phones, PDAs, mobile TVs, and car navigation systems.
The four models feature respective resolutions of 560 by 240 pixels, 240 by RGB by 320 pixels (QVGA), 480 by RGB by 640 pixels (VGA), and 400 by RGB by 234 (WQCGA) pixels. Each has a 300:1 contrast ratio, 25-ms response time, and 160° vertical and horizontal viewing angles. Samples of the displays will be available in the first quarter, with volume shipments coming in second quarter. Pricing has yet to be determined.
Sharp Corp.www.sharpsma.com