Cathode-ray tube (CRT)'s dominance will soon be over by the replacement of the flat-panel screen-thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD). Experts predict that the brisk development of futuristic products such as diode-based sets would undermine CRTs. Here the diode stands for liquid crystal display.
The Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is the first offspring of the flat-screen family. It has been well loved by the users for its thin monitor that takes up way less space than CRTs. LCDs are made of a cell that contains liquid crystal material. This semi-liquid or solid cell is placed between two glass pates to form a sleek outlook. Not only it is good for interior, LCDs consume less power than CRTs, better for eyes, and is much vulnerable to electro-magnetic fields.
In spite of LCDs' advantages, previous LCDs failed to produce clear colors. It also showed narrow viewing angle and slow response rate. LCD provider finds solution, ``Currently, we have developed LCD enough where the viewing angle of a TV would be as wide as a PDP set and the response time of the former is just as fast,'' a Samsung Electronics spokesman spoke. An active matrix alternative, TFT, came along to produce clear colors as CRTs. This is contributed by the commercialization of PDP around 1990 that enlightened the large-sized display market. PDP has the advantage of powering a much larger monitor, normally bigger than 40 inches across diagonally. PDP products put up graphics on the screen using light from plasma generated during gas discharge. Since the plasma itself emits light, it provides a wide viewing angle while producing high quality colors.
Samsung Electronics and LG.Philips LCD are highly competitive two products in Korea. Samsung SDI and LG Electronics are battling to claim the top spot. Samsung Electronics is about to release 52-inch LCD panels later this month. In response, PDP vendors are counterattacking in the 58-inch and 63-inch TV market, where LCD producers are struggling. The 52-inch products are regarded as the upside limit of LCD TVs in terms of commercial production at the moment. It is clear that the CRT era is becoming the old history. However, runway leader LCD's development is predicted to be something to keep an eye on.
