History of the Flat Screen - Essay Example

Running Headers: HISTORY OF FLAT SCREEN Name: Course: Institution: Instructor: Date: August 15, 2010. Introduction The history of flat screen dates back in the year 1964, being that necessity is the mother of invention, the American scientist from the University of Illinois argued with concern about the quality of monitors which at that time were television sets used within the main computer producing very low quality pictures which were not well defined and difficult to identify the content and, or follow the programs that were being broadcasted, (Dunmur, and Sluckin, 2010). Due to the evolution of large and colored screens, which were really consuming a lot of power, heavy, overheating, the quality became poorer hence the need for a different screen monitor with better resolutions to help solve the problems that they had experienced previously with the cathode Ray Tube screens. This concern led to the invention of plasma technology, (). The term “plasma” was used in regard to the technology because the pixels that enhance the screen resolution depended on plasma cells, (Stern, 2001). A plasma screen is typical display panel contains millions of tiny plasma cells in compartmentalized spaces between two glass panels which when energized reflects light that focuses on the screen to create a field of view, (Abramson, and Sterling, 2007). Plasma is a fourth state of matter after solid, liquid and gaseous states, which contains definite number of electrically charged particles. However, the interaction between the neutral particles and the charged particles plays a major role in determining the usefulness and the behavior of plasma. As the energized electrons move and vibrate between the two glasses, some of the electrons strike mercury particles moving through the plasma which increases surface area for the energy level in the molecules. Each pixel in the plasma display comprises of the three primary colors namely blue, red and green with respect to the IEE regulations, the voltage signal variations within the cell causes many different perceived colours got from the reflection/ refraction and deflection of the primary colours which in turn displays the quality picture. The type, characteristic and behavior of the plasma display screens are determined by the ratio of ionized electrons (particles) to the neutral particles and the energy level within the particles, (Dunmur, and Sluckin, 2010). The unique characteristics and behavior of plasma makes it very useful in many important daily applications and to the world as a whole, (Abramson, and Sterling, 2007). The flat screen technology has better features that make it superior to the cathode ray technology, apart from the quality pictures, sound, power consumption; they are also slim and not heavy compared to the cathode ray type, (Raizman, 2003). Types of flat panel display screens. The flat panel displays (flat screens) have specific different categories of which are largely grouped in to two depending on the technology applied in the manufacture and mode of application, (Raizman, 2003). They are categorized into two general groups namely the Volatile and the static flat panel display screens. The Volatile flat panel display screens - Here the pixels must be periodically refreshed for them to retain their original state, without the frequent refreshing the pixels will loose their original state and the image will be, distorted, faded and of low quality. Examples are: Plasma displays Liquid Crystal displays(LCD) Organic Light Emitting Diode Displays (OLEDs) Light Emitting Diode Displays (LEDs) Electroluminescent Displays(ELDs) Surface Conduction Electron- Emitter Display (SEDs) Field Emission Displays (FEDs) Nano-emissive displays (NEDs)) Static flat panel display screens – This type of display screen depends on the materials with bistable colour states, (Abramson, and Sterling, 2007). Meaning that their images do not require energy to maintain pictures but they require the energy to change the content especially of the screen, (Dunmur, and Sluckin, 2010). Its disadvantage is that it has got low refresh rates which affects interactive display by prolonging the time it takes to display once you refresh the content on display. Examples of Static flat panel display screens:  Electronic paper  Touch panels  Mobile display  Flexible display  On-vehicle display  Sony Watchman Transparent display The general Advantages and disadvantages of flat panel display screens with respect to the Cathode ray tube display screens. Advantages Consumes less space due to its slim size and ability to be just hanged instead of being placed on a surface. Very easy to mount, being that it is not heavy. Give move vivid, clear and more accurate view, with high quality pictures that are easy to identify hence lower concentration during viewing, making screens look luxurious to the user, (Stern, 2001). Produces real and natural picture with no alterations from the real source of the captured picture. Very quick in command executions with high refresh rates, faster performance and reliable quality displays. If you consider the technology used then flat screens are very affordable with respect to the cathode ray tube screens that were generally cheap, with low technology which resulted into low quality pictures, low refresh rates with unpredictable reliability with respect to performance as is was even difficult to identify the content of the display because not all the displayed content corresponded to the true source of the picture on display, (Abramson, and Sterling, 2007). Low power consumption due to integrated technology that enhanced the overall quality of the flat display screen. Less bulky than rear-projection cathode ray tube screens The integration of components to make the integrated circuit led to a slim display screen with improved performance Has a large field of view in that these kinds of screens are really expansive to make hence the manufacturer’s find it economical to make a bugger screen compared to a small one. Increase the display screen does not affect the prizes of the flat screen but reduction in size of the display screen would be uneconomical to the manufacturers which would in turn be taxed on the buyer, (Raizman, 2003). Disadvantages Very delicate and complicated to repair incase of a malfunction because not all technicians are conversant with he digital technology. Expensive with respect to the cathode ray tube screens generally. Prone to “large area flicker", this because of the high refresh rates and screen sensitivity. Expensive to manufacture, therefore not found in smaller sizes meaning expensive to the common man. Performs poorly at high altitudes due to the pressure between the gases inside the screen and the air pressure at the high altitude producing a buzzing noise. Not very clear when used in bright rooms or when the screen is viewed from acute angles. When using the AM, FM, SW frequencies, the Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) from these devices can interfere with, or disable your hearing ability of the use and the others within the surrounding area. Conclusion With the invention and innovations in the flat screen technology, things have drastically changed from analogue to digital with high speed data and voice transmission over both short and long distances within shortest time. The cordless/Digital phones have enhances security in that no one is a now able to listen to your conversation or use your digital phone without your authority. Through eavesdropping, the cordless phones and radios had no privacy, not even security as it was very easy for somebody to listen and understand all that you discuss, (Dunmur, and Sluckin, 2010). However, the long procedure of communication through means like telegram that would reach the owner days later can now be done within seconds regardless of how far apart the two are from each other, (Fitzpatrick, 2008). The interference with the vision during maintenance and repair of the screens like during the time when the screens were made of heavy transistors, the x- rays that led to loss of eye sight by the electronic technicians is now a gone case with the digital technology whereby Integrated circuits are made of very many transistors that are easier to trace, diagnose and repair the fault, (Raizman, 2003). Work Cited Albert Abramson, and Christopher H. Sterling. The History of Television, 1942 to 2000. London: McFarland Publishers, 2007. ISBN: 0786432438, 9780786432431. David Dunmur, and Tim Sluckin. Soap, Science, and Flat-Screen TVs: A History of Liquid Crystals. New York: Oxford University Press, 2010. ISBN: 0199549400, 9780199549405. David Raizman. History of Modern Design: Graphics and Products Since The Industrial Revolution. Washington: Laurence King Publishing, 2003. ISBN:1856693481, 9781856693486. Dr. David P. Stern. Plasma Physics – History, Retrieved November 2001, From http://www-spof.gsfc.nasa.gov/Education/whplasma.html (Accessed August 21, 2010). Richard Fitzpatrick. Brief History Of Plasma. Retrieved 2008, From, http://farside.ph.utexas.edu/teaching/plasma/lectures/node4.html (Accessed August 21, 2010). Read More