Evolution of flat-panel displays

The evolution in performance and manufacturability of liquid-crystal displays has created a new reality in the electronic information displays industry. LCD's now outnumber all other flat-panel displays in production volume, by more than two orders of magnitude. LCD's may equal CRT's in market sales by the year 2000. However, LCD's are still an order of magnitude more expensive than comparable performing CRT's. LCD's are enabling new products, such as personal digital assistants, moving map navigators, picture telephones, etc., which could not he readily done with CRTs because of their size and sensitivity to ambient illuminations. The LCD technology in various modes, from passive twisted nematic to active matrix, is being used in all product sizes, from the 0.7-in camcorder viewfinder to the 14-in full-color display with XGA resolution. Full color is very important in future products and any flat-panel display technology without it will be relegated to niche markets     

HDTV displays in Japan: projection-CRT systems on top

The status of high-definition television (HDTV) displays for industry and the home in Japan is discussed. Key requirements for HDTV displays are examined. Improvements in projection cathode-ray tubes (CRTs), presently the sole display candidate for home HDTV displays in Japan, are described     

Flat-panel displays displace large, heavy, power-hungry CRTs

Personal computers, cars, and aircraft are major growing markets for liquid-crystal, electroluminescent, plasma, and vacuum fluorescent displays. However, the displays themselves are limited by technology. It is difficult to make them large enough, with high enough resolution, and with as many shades of color and gray as desired over a wide enough environmental operating range at a cost supportable in the marketplace. The status and future direction of display technologies are examined. The struggle to lower liquid-crystal display (LCD) cost and the promise of LCD projection systems are discussed