Sony Home Theater User Manual
Page 20
The Sony Guide to Home Theater
20
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) direct view.
WHAT IT IS. Liquid-crystal display technology first appeared in the early 1970's.
LCD is used in front projectors, rear-projection TVs, and flat-panel displays. Like a
laptop computer screen, a flat panel direct view LCD consists of a panel of viscous
liquid sandwiched in plastic. The liquid is driven by a network of transistors that
control individual pixels. When a transistor delivers an electrical charge, the crystals
'untwist' to an exact degree to filter light generated by a lamp behind the screen.
BENEFITS. LCDs are far thinner, lighter and sleeker than CRTs, making them
favorites of interior decorators. LCDs also need no convergence. They're immune
from "burn-in," so there's never any harm from videogames left on too long, DVDs in
pause or station logos on the corner of the screen. LCDs also need no magnetic
shielding from your loudspeakers. And there are no altitude limits. So they're ideal
from sea level to Denver!
LIMITATIONS. Currently LCD televisions cost more and they are somewhat
limited in viewing angle and contrast ratio. LCDs are generally limited to screen
sizes of 30 inches and less, although larger sizes are soon to appear in the marketplace.