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March 12, 1997
Hitachi, Ltd. has developed a 12.1-inch Super Clear Color liquid crystal display (LCD) that uses a new drive method (enhanced Hi-Addressing technology) and optimizes the LCD cell configuration to solve the twin problems of low contrast and shadowing associated with conventional STN LCDs. Sample shipments will begin in April. With a high contrast ratio of 50:1 or higher and a 120 ms high response speed that allows moving image display, this LCD is ideal for multimedia applications.LCDs have come into wide use as displays for notebook PCs and other portable equipment thanks to their compactness, light weight, and low power consumption. The choice between the TFT and STN display types has been made based on the requirements of the application. With the increasing popularity of networking environments such as the Internet, and multimedia notebook PCs with built-in CD-ROM, there is a growing need for high-cost-performance color LCDs capable of displaying moving images.
To respond to this need, Hitachi has newly developed the 12.1-inch Super Clear Color LCD that uses a new drive method called enhanced Hi-Addressing technology (a high-frequency drive method using simultaneous selection of two lines) which suppresses the shadowing and power consumption associated with high-frame-frequency drive, and provides a high-contrast display with a fast response speed. Also the high contrast level has been achieved by optimizing the LCD cell configuration, resulting in display capabilities approaching those of TFT displays.
The new LCD offers SVGA support (800 x 600) and 16 million display colors, together with a fast 120 ms response time and a high 50:1 or higher contrast ratio. The new drive method reduces the drive voltage on the data lines, which is subject to frequent output voltage fluctuations, resulting in a reduction in module power consumption including back-lighting to 2.8W. The new LCD can be seen at the Electronic Display Exhibition (EDEX) to be held in Yokohama from April 16.
Features
1. Fast response
A fast 120 ms response time, providing moving image display capability, has been achieved by optimization of the LCD cell and an enhanced Hi-Addressing technology. Hitachi also plans to develop an LCD with 80 ms response time.2. High-quality display (high contrast, low shadowing) plus low power consumption
The use of enhanced Hi-Addressing technology has made it possible to achieve high contrast (by suppressing the frame response phenomenon associated with high-frame-frequency drive) and eliminate shadowing. Optimization of the LCD cell configuration is another factor contributing to the achievement of the high contrast ratio of 50:1 or higher. The new drive method reduces the drive voltage on the data lines, which is subject to frequent output voltage fluctuations, to be reduced to 5 V, resulting in a reduction in module power consumption to 2.8W and drive circuit power consumption to 0.6 W.3. Large screen size in a compact, lightweight unit
A compact module has been achieved through the use of an ultra-slim, flat TCP and high-density mounting technology. The weight has also been reduced to only 490 g.4. Low reflectivity
Color filters using a low-reflection black matrix have been used to prevent reduced visibility due to the reflection of external light.Performance Comparison
12.1-inch SVGA Super Clear Color LCD (New product) 12.1-inch SVGA Color STN LCD (Current Hitachi product) 12.1-inch SVGA Color TFT LCD (Current Hitachi product) External dimensions (mm) 277 x 202.5 275 x 202.5 275.5 x 199 Thickness (mm) 8.0 8.0 8.0 Display pixels 800 x 600 800 x 600 800 x 600 Contrast ratio 50:1 (fr:150Hz) 30:1 (fr:150Hz) 100:1 Response time (ms) 120 300 50 Power consumption (W) 2.8 3.2 2.8 Shadowing Almost none Some None Drive method Enhanced Hi-Addressing Voltage averaging TFT direct drive Sample price and shipments date
Sample price (yen) Shipments date 100,000 April 1997
