An LCD screen that uses a backlight. Transmissive LCDs are widely used in portable computers and provide excellent viewing indoors. They must be used outdoors in the shade because direct sunlight overwhelms the backlight, making viewing difficult, if not impossible.
Reflective LCD
A reflective LCD uses the ambient light in the vicinity. The light passes through the LCD layer to a mirror, which reflects it back to the viewer. Reflective LCDs are the least costly, but require bright light. Viewing is difficult in dark rooms or outside at night. Reflective LCDs can also be built with frontlights, which significantly improve the viewing in dimly lit environments.
Transflective LCD
A transflective LCD uses both transmissive and reflective methods. It uses a backlight as does transmissive, but also adds a reflective mirror that lets light pass through from the back.
Transflective LCDs are a compromise that allows users to obtain better viewing under both lighting conditions. However, because the mirror is built to let through backlight as well as reflect frontlight, it cannot do both equally as well as mirrors dedicated to one purpose. As a result, transflective LCDs are typically not quite as bright indoors as transmissive units and not as bright outdoors as reflective ones.
Reflective LCD
A reflective LCD uses the ambient light in the vicinity. The light passes through the LCD layer to a mirror, which reflects it back to the viewer. Reflective LCDs are the least costly, but require bright light. Viewing is difficult in dark rooms or outside at night. Reflective LCDs can also be built with frontlights, which significantly improve the viewing in dimly lit environments.
Transflective LCD
A transflective LCD uses both transmissive and reflective methods. It uses a backlight as does transmissive, but also adds a reflective mirror that lets light pass through from the back.
Transflective LCDs are a compromise that allows users to obtain better viewing under both lighting conditions. However, because the mirror is built to let through backlight as well as reflect frontlight, it cannot do both equally as well as mirrors dedicated to one purpose. As a result, transflective LCDs are typically not quite as bright indoors as transmissive units and not as bright outdoors as reflective ones.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Kaminsky and Ptacek comment on DNS flaw
- Well, well, well, what a day for security news! I got a chance to get the scoop word of mouth from Dan Kaminsky of IOActive (pictured above [image courtesy of quinnums]) and Thomas Ptacek of Matasano pictured below on the DNS flaw that's been all over the...
- Blog posts 2008-07-08
- Are all-in-one desktops a decent deal?
- Averatec, the O.C.'s other computer maker after Gateway, has released a new all-in-one desktop. The design doesn't break any new ground in this category, but it is simple, compact and reasonably attractive. And with a 22-inch LCD, Nvidia GeForce 8400 graphics and an integrated TV tuner, at first glance it...
- Blog posts 2008-07-08
- Dell 1525-122B
- Note: This review is part of our Back to School 2008 roundup, covering specific configurations of popular laptops that can be found in retail stores.As middle-of-the-road as a laptop gets, Dell's Inspiron 1525 is an excellent go-to choice for basic computing, especially if you take the time to configure a...
- Product reviews 2008-07-03
- Dell 1420-123B
- Note: This review is part of our Back to School 2008 roundup, covering specific configurations of popular laptops that can be found in retail stores.We were very fond of Dell's 14-inch Inspiron 1420 laptop when Dell launched it in the spring of 2007, as we find that 14-inch models offer...
- Product reviews 2008-07-03
- Phillips DC912
- When it comes to iPod speaker systems, there are at least three criteria for most shoppers: compatibility it needs to work with your particular iPod model; form factor (it needs to fit into a given space, be it a spacious shelf or tiny nightstand); and value (good sound for the...
- Product reviews 2008-07-03
- BenQ V2400W
- The BenQ V2400W is the fourth 24-inch LCD we've reviewed this year and the third we'd recommend. The $600
- Product reviews 2008-07-01
- Mitsubishi LT-40148
- Although CNET did not review the 40-inch Mitsubishi LT-40148, we did review the 46-inch Mitsubishi LT-46148. Judging from their spec sheets, the two Mitsubishi LCD HDTVs are basically identical but for screen size, so we expect that the review of the 46-incher will give a good indication of how the...
- Product reviews 2008-06-30
- Mitsubishi LT-52148
- Although CNET did not review the 52-inch Mitsubishi LT-52148, we did review the 46-inch Mitsubishi LT-46148. Judging from their spec sheets, the two Mitsubishi LCD HDTVs are basically identical but for screen size, so we expect that the review of the 46-incher will give a good indication of how the...
- Product reviews 2008-06-30
- Samsung LN40A750
- Although CNET did not review the 40-inch Samsung LN40A750, we did review the 46-inch Samsung LN46A750. Judging from their spec sheets, the two Samsung LCD HDTVs are basically identical but for screen size, so we expect that the review of the 46-incher will give a good indication of how the...
- Product reviews 2008-06-30
- Samsung LN52A750
- Although CNET did not review the 52-inch Samsung LN52A750, we did review the 46-inch Samsung LN46A750. Judging from their spec sheets, the two Samsung LCD HDTVs are basically identical but for screen size, so we expect that the review of the 46-incher will give a good indication of how the...
- Product reviews 2008-06-30
- Sony KDL-40W4100
- Although CNET did not review the 40-inch Sony KDL-40W4100, we did review the 46-inch Sony KDL-46W4100. Judging from their spec sheets, the two Sony LCD HDTVs are basically identical but for screen size, so we expect that the review of the 46-inch TV will give a good indication of how...
- Product reviews 2008-06-30
- Sony KDL-52W4100
- Although CNET did not review the 52-inch Sony KDL-52W4100 we did review the 46-inch Sony KDL-46W4100. Judging from their spec sheets, the two Sony LCD HDTVs are basically identical but for screen size, so we expect that the review of the 56-inch TV will give a good indication of how...
- Product reviews 2008-06-30
- Lasonic i931 High Performance Portable Music System
- The Lasonic i931 ($199) is a novelty iPod speaker system with a retro look inspired by the ghetto-blaster craze of the 1980s. Constructed mostly of air and cheap plastic, the Lasonic i931 is packed with features that are mostly wasted on its wholly impractical design. DesignAs a fashion statement, there...
- Product reviews 2008-06-27
- iHome ZN9 Clock Radio for Zune
- The iHome ZN9 ($99) is a welcome addition to the short list of Zune MP3 player accessories. With dual alarms, battery backup, AM/FM radio, and a time zone indicator, it's also simply one of the best clock radios we've come across at this price. DesignThe iHome ZN9 is created for...
- Product reviews 2008-06-27
- 2009 Hyundai Sonata Limited V6
- Photo gallery:2009 Hyundai Sonata Limited V6Hyundai got high marks from many auto reviewers for the last generation of its Sonata sedan, but it fell short on the car tech front. But now the 2009 Hyundai Sonata is here, and it looks good for catching up with and surpassing its nearest...
- Product reviews 2008-06-26
- Samsung LN46A750
- "The kitchen sink" is a term used loosely when describing a feature set on any product, from cars to countertops, but in the case of the Samsung LN46A750, we're using it in the tightest sense. This 46-inch flat-panel LCD packs more feature punch than any HDTV we've tested yet. 1080p...
- Product reviews 2008-06-26
- Dell Studio 15
- Parsing the intended markets for Dell's ever-shifting in-house brand names requires a bit of tea-leaf reading, although it's been easier of late, with the company stripping down its consumer brands to just the Inspiron and XPS lines. Now the company is adding a new line between the budget Inspiron and...
- Product reviews 2008-06-26
- HP TouchSmart IQ506
- Hewlett-Packard's redesigned TouchSmart PC solves at least one of the problems of the original. The new look stays much truer to that of a traditional all-in-one, leaving behind last year's clunky hinged design that we admit we kind of liked. The $1,499 TouchSmart PC IQ506 also shares an issue with...
- Product reviews 2008-06-26
- 2008 Infiniti M45X
- Photo gallery:2008 Infiniti M45xWhen you think big, comfortable sedans with cutting-edge tech, you look for a price range around $80,000 to $100,000 and think models such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7-series, and Lexus LS. But then here comes the 2008 Infiniti M45x with all the tech those other cars...
- Product reviews 2008-06-26
- IsMyLcdOK (zip)
- IsMyLcdOK is a small program but effective solution to easily check for dead/paralysed/stuck pixels on LCD monitors. Many manufacturers provide the highest industry standard dead pixel policy. IsMyLcdOK does not have to be installed and can be executed easily from the desktop, and can be carried on a small usb-stick...
- Software downloads 2008-06-26
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- FREE Economist Report available at the Collaboration Resource Center.
-
"Collaboration: Transforming the Way Business Works", a new study from the Economist Intelligence Unit. Find this informative report along with free videos podcasts and more, availibe courtesy of Cisco.
- Sign in now to download!
