A microminiaturized display, typically with a screen size less than two inches diagonal. They are used in rear-projection TVs and their data projector counterparts, in head mounted displays (HMDs) and in the viewfinders of digital cameras. Although microdisplay research goes back to the mid-1980s, commercial products emerged in the late 1990s.
Reflective and Transmissive
Reflective microdisplay bounce light into the viewer's lens or the projection lens. For example, in a DLP microdisplay, tiny mirrors divert light into the projection path (see DLP).
LCD microdisplays are transmissive, allowing light to pass through the display like backlit, laptop computer screens. See rear-projection TV.
A Microdisplay Unit
This amazing screen is used in HMDs and digital camera viewfinders. The reflective LCD display provides an 800x600 resolution in a half-inch screen that uses only 45 milliwatts of energy, as much as ten times less than transmissive displays. (Image courtesy of Three-Five Systems, Inc.)
Reflective and Transmissive
Reflective microdisplay bounce light into the viewer's lens or the projection lens. For example, in a DLP microdisplay, tiny mirrors divert light into the projection path (see DLP).
LCD microdisplays are transmissive, allowing light to pass through the display like backlit, laptop computer screens. See rear-projection TV.
A Microdisplay Unit
This amazing screen is used in HMDs and digital camera viewfinders. The reflective LCD display provides an 800x600 resolution in a half-inch screen that uses only 45 milliwatts of energy, as much as ten times less than transmissive displays. (Image courtesy of Three-Five Systems, Inc.)
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Samsung HL61A750
- Rear-projection HDTVs, as a category, are on their way out, and DLP-based sets are the only microdisplay choice available, now that all manufacturers of LCD- and LCoS-based rear-projection displays have basically ceased production. Samsung and Mitsubishi are pretty much the only players left in this category--they're the only two...
- Product reviews 2008-07-18
- Sony XEL-1 OLED TV
- One of the most-common questions we get as CNET HDTV reviewers, after the overwhelming favorite "What HDTV should I buy?," is "What's the next big thing in HDTV?" Granted, we don't hear that question as often as we used to, perhaps because LCD, plasma and microdisplay sets have become more...
- Product reviews 2008-02-21
- Panasonic PT-61LCZ70
- Ever since the introduction of microdisplay rear-projection HDTVs based on DLP, LCD and LCoS technology, the bother and expense of having to replace their bulbs in your television has been an issue. Most of these behemoth TVs use conventional bulbs, just like compact two-piece projectors, to power their pictures, and...
- Product reviews 2007-10-04
- Mitsubishi WD-65734
- As large-screen plasma displays become less and less expensive, the tried-and-true rear-projection HDTV becomes less and less appealing to Americans with lots of room and a penchant for gigantic images. At 65 inches, however, the Mitsubishi WD-65734 stands in a size class where plasma still breaks the bank. This DLP...
- Product reviews 2007-09-19
- Why you probably don't need that extended warranty
- A study by ConsumerReports.org suggests that non-savvy consumers will fork out a total of $1.6 billion on warranties this year. Newsflash - theyre not worth the money!Extended warranties and service plans are a great gig for the retailer. When they sell you a TV for $500 they make...
- Blog posts 2006-11-20
- Panasonic PT-61DLX76
- Panasonic is a major HDTV player, but its big-screen cards have mostly been of the flat-panel variety as opposed to rear-projection. The PT-DLX76 series, which includes a 56-inch model as well as the 61-inch PT-61DLX76 ($3,299 MSRP) reviewed here, changes all that. It's the company's first foray into the lucrative...
- Product reviews 2006-07-24
- Would you wear video glasses?
- According to EE Times, an Israeli company has developed a personal video display device that looks like a simple pair of glasses. You can use these glasses with various sources, such as a portable media player or your cell phone. This technology promises to eliminate the dizziness phenomenon usually associated...
- Blog posts 2006-05-05
- Sony DVP-NS70H
- HD-DVD and Blu-ray players are still a way from being mainstream, so upconverting DVD players currently provide the closest thing to a high-def DVD experience. Upconverting DVD players don't magically make DVDs high-definition--there's no high-def picture data on the disc--but they scale the available picture to fit HDTV resolutions. And...
- Product reviews 2006-04-10
- 5.6 mln rear-projection TVs will be sold in 2004
- Shipments of rear-projection sets will rise to 5.6 mln units in 2004, up 11.4% from 5 mln in 2003, iSuppli predicts. Rear-projection TV RPTV set shipments will swell to 7.5 mln in 2008, rising at a CAGR compound annual growth rate of 8.3% from 2003. Rear-projection sets compete in the...
- Blog posts 2004-09-17
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