Hey there! As a supplier of LCM LCD displays, I often get asked about the differences between passive - matrix and active - matrix LCM LCD displays. So, I thought I'd write this blog to break it down for you.
Let's start with the basics. LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display. These displays are everywhere, from your smartphone to your computer monitor. LCM, on the other hand, is Liquid Crystal Module, which includes the LCD panel along with other components like a backlight and a driver circuit.
Passive - Matrix LCM LCD Displays
Passive - matrix LCDs were among the first types of LCD displays to hit the market. They're relatively simple in design. In a passive - matrix display, the liquid crystals are controlled by a grid of electrical conductors. There are two sets of conductors: one set runs horizontally, and the other runs vertically. When an electrical charge is applied at the intersection of these conductors, the liquid crystals at that point change their orientation, allowing or blocking light to pass through.
One of the main advantages of passive - matrix displays is their cost. They're generally cheaper to produce than active - matrix displays. This makes them a popular choice for applications where cost is a major factor, like some low - end calculators, digital watches, and older portable game consoles.
However, passive - matrix displays have some significant drawbacks. One of the biggest issues is their slow response time. When you change the image on the screen, the liquid crystals take a relatively long time to change their orientation. This can lead to blurry images, especially when there's a lot of motion on the screen. For example, if you're watching a fast - paced video on a passive - matrix display, you'll likely see a lot of ghosting or smearing.
Another problem is their limited viewing angle. Passive - matrix displays tend to look good only when you're looking at them straight on. As you move to the side, the colors start to fade, and the contrast decreases. This can be a real pain if you're trying to share the screen with someone sitting next to you.
Active - Matrix LCM LCD Displays
Now, let's talk about active - matrix LCDs. These displays are a step up from passive - matrix ones in terms of performance. In an active - matrix display, each pixel has its own thin - film transistor (TFT). This transistor acts like a switch, allowing for precise control of the electrical charge applied to each pixel.
The main advantage of active - matrix displays is their fast response time. The TFTs can switch on and off very quickly, which means the liquid crystals can change their orientation rapidly. This results in sharp, clear images, even when there's a lot of motion on the screen. That's why active - matrix displays are used in high - end smartphones, tablets, and computer monitors.
Active - matrix displays also have a much wider viewing angle compared to passive - matrix displays. You can view the screen from different angles without experiencing a significant loss of color or contrast. This makes them great for sharing content with others or for use in environments where you might need to view the screen from different positions.
However, all these benefits come at a cost. Active - matrix displays are more expensive to produce than passive - matrix displays. The manufacturing process is more complex because each pixel needs its own TFT. This higher cost is reflected in the price of products that use active - matrix displays.
Comparison Table
To make it easier to understand the differences, here's a quick comparison table:
| Feature | Passive - Matrix | Active - Matrix |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Low | High |
| Response Time | Slow | Fast |
| Viewing Angle | Limited | Wide |
| Image Quality (Motion) | Blurry | Sharp |
Applications
The differences between these two types of displays mean they're used in different applications.
Passive - matrix displays are still used in many low - cost, low - performance devices. For example, they're commonly found in simple handheld calculators. These devices don't require high - speed image changes or wide viewing angles, so a passive - matrix display is a cost - effective solution.
On the other hand, active - matrix displays dominate the high - end market. They're used in smartphones, where fast response times are essential for smooth scrolling and gaming. They're also used in laptops and desktop monitors, where high - quality images and wide viewing angles are important for productivity and entertainment.
Our Products
As a LCM LCD display supplier, we offer a wide range of products based on both passive - matrix and active - matrix technologies. For those on a budget, our passive - matrix displays are a great option. They provide basic functionality at an affordable price.
If you're looking for high - performance displays, our active - matrix displays are the way to go. We have a variety of sizes and resolutions to meet your specific needs. For example, we offer the 8 Inch Capacitive Touch Screen, which features an active - matrix display for sharp images and fast touch response.
We also have the 8 Inch IPS Touch Screen panel glass overlay kit. IPS (In - Plane Switching) is a type of active - matrix technology that offers excellent color accuracy and wide viewing angles. This kit is perfect for those who want to upgrade their existing display or build a custom touch - screen device.
And if you're in the industrial sector, we have the 8 Inch Industrial Capacitive Touch Screen. It's designed to withstand harsh environments and provides reliable performance in industrial applications.
Contact Us for Purchase
Whether you're a small business looking for a cost - effective display solution or a large corporation in need of high - end displays, we've got you covered. If you're interested in purchasing our LCM LCD displays, feel free to reach out to us for more information and to discuss your specific requirements. We're here to help you find the perfect display for your needs.
References
- "Liquid Crystal Displays: Addressing Schemes and Electro - optical Effects" by Ernst Bartsch, et al.
- "Fundamentals of Flat Panel Displays" by S. Kenji, et al.