Digital Display Technology - Consumer Electronics Association

1Digital DisplayTechnologyOVERVIEWThe introduction of high definition television in the UnitedStates is a remarkable breakthrough in visual technology.However, during the next several years, television promisesto take a major leap forward in technology. Experts say thatTV images soon will become life-like, or perhaps even morereal than life. In fact, some already are predicting we willone day see something called “H-TV”—or Hologram TV—where the characters of our favorite show will magicallysurround us in our living rooms.But television also will become more pervasive in our culture.Videoscreens will be everywhere, from the gas stationpump to the paneled wall of an elevator to the backseat ofa taxi.The New Television will change the way we receiveand watch programming and advertising messages.And digitalrecorders will change how—and when—we watch.Yes,the tube will get smarter, more powerful and even moreimportant to our lives.However, while much of the attention is focused on theadvances in high definition pictures and digital recordingfeatures, manufacturers are making incredible strides inchanging the very shape of the television itself. New digitaldisplay technology (DDT) is enabling engineers to createwidescreen TVs, flat TVs, wall TVs and, eventually, televisionsthat you can fold up like newspapers. Professor Ifor Samuel,who is doing research into new organic semiconductortechnology at the University of St.Andrews in Scotland,says,“In a few years, it will be possible to make television“New digital display technology(DDT) is enabling engineersto create widescreen TVs,flat TVs, wall TVs and, eventually,televisions that you can foldup like newspapers. ”screens which can be rolled up when not in use, informationdisplays on roller-blinds, and light-emitting clothing forsafety or fashion applications.” If Professor Samuel is correct,you will be able to customize the shape of your televisionas if it were an article of clothing.One could argue that digital display technology has yet tocapture the nation’s attention because of the subject’s complexity.Thetechnology often is described in arcane, engineeringlingo that could intimidate the average person.However, here is a layman’s look at the basic terms thatexplain how digital display technology works:DIGITAL LIGHT AMPLIFICATION (DLA)This is an electronic valve technology that uses liquid crystalon silicon. Developed by JVC, DLA enables manufacturersto create a brighter picture on a larger screen.DIGITAL LIGHT PROCESSING (DLP)Developed by Texas Instruments, DLP uses a digitalmicromirror device to modulate reflected light.An opticalsemiconductor chip also adds brightness and clarity to alarge screen picture. On opening day in 1998, the TexasRangers baseball team used DLP technology to display anHDTV picture of the game on an 18-foot diagonal screen.LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY (LCD)LCDs, which now are used on everything from digitalclocks to microwaves, are thinner and require less powerthan cathode ray tubes (CRTs) found in most televisions.Many TV makers are using LCDs to create ultra-thin setsthat can display HDTV pictures. Sony, for example, is planningto launch a 30-inch flat-panel LCD TV by year’s end.PLASMA DISPLAY TECHNOLOGYPlasma technology, which does not require a tube, enablesmanufacturers to create a larger flat-panel TV, up to 60inches. (Samsung, in fact, is working on a 63-inch version.) Aplasma display consists of cells, better known perhaps aspixels; gas in the plasma state reacts with phosphors in eachsub-pixel to produce what engineers call “colored light.”That’s how a plasma TV can display such a clear picturewith the lights on.The term, plasma TV, has become synonymouswith flat TVs. But the plasma TV has yet to capture awide audience due to high prices.5 Technologies to Watch OCTOBER 2002 3