| Data Input Options (NTSC/Analog RGB/ Digital) |
Displays intended for multimedia use often require specialized input requirements to accept standard format video signals that need to be translated to the digital RGB signal format required by the LCD panel. Sharp interfaces include Analog (NTSC) RGB, Composite NTSC Video, and Digital RGB formats. |
| Degauss |
To remove an unwanted magnetic field from an electronic device, e.g. television tube or CRT monitor. Magnetic interference caused by a change in the position of a monitor in relation to the earth's magnetic field or the presence of an artificial magnetic field can cause discoloration. To correct this, all color CRT monitors automatically degauss at power-on and some also have a manual degaussing button. This allows the monitor to compensate for the change in the magnetic field by realigning the electron guns. In some low cost monitors without degauss buttons it is necessary to leave the power turned off for at least 20 minutes in order to get maximum degaussing. LCD displays do not need to be degaussed. |
| DICOM |
(Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine). The DICOM standard contains a display function standard. |
| Diffuser |
Flat sheet of white plastic which emits even light over the surface when lighted by a CFL tube on one or two edges. |
| Digital |
Recording and playing back of data as strings of zeros and ones (binary data.) Because this data is coded into strings of numbers, it is not subceptible to signal degradation in the same manner as analog data. |
| Digital Driving Level (DDL) |
A digital value which given as input to a display system produces a luminance. The set of DDLs of a display system is all the possible discrete values that can produce luminance values on the display system. The mapping of DDLs to luminance values for a display system produces the characteristic curve of that display system. The actual output for a given DDL is specific to the display system and is not corrected for the grayscale standard display function. |
| DIL (Dual-In-Line) |
Two parallel rows of connection holes on a PCB. Also, the type of connector used with this array. |
| DIL PINS |
Metal pins bonded with epoxy to each conductive lead on the contact edge. |
| Direct/Static Drive |
Method in which each conductive lead on the contact edge connects to one segment or annunciator. |
| Dithering |
Method of simulating or implying color by placing pixels of approximate or similar colors close together in order to save space or reasonably achieve colors that are otherwise not available. |
| DMTN |
Double Metal or Diode Matrix LCD. This is an active matrix technology that has lower production costs since the diode structure is less complicated than the transistor structure of TFTs. Though they are as fast as a transistor, DMTNs lack the ability for grayscale and are generally offered only on monochrome displays. They do offer better contrast, response time and lower power than STN LCDs. |
| Dot Matrix |
A group of dots/pixels forming a character or symbol; usually five dots across and seven dots down. |
| Dot Pitch |
In monitors, the dot pitch is the distance (measured in millimeters) between the holes in the shadow mask; the smaller the number, the sharper the image. If you have the option, a .28mm dot pitch is preferable, although .31mm is acceptable to many people. A dot pitch larger than this will probably lead to fuzzy text. The size of each pixel that illuminates on a display. |
| Dot/Pixel |
An active element that forms a character or symbol when combined in a matrix. |
| Doubledomain |
A technique used to improve the viewing angle where multiple alignment directions are produced on the same sub-pixel. |
| Drain |
This is the output terminal of a thin film transistor (TFT). |
| Driver |
Voltage IC mounted on the display which provides the voltage to each row and column by switching them on or off. ( Do not confuse with the controller IC ). |
| DSTN |
Abbreviation of Dual-scan STN, an enhanced STN passive matrix LCD display. The screen is divided into halves, and each half is scanned simultaneously, thereby doubling the number of lines refreshed per second and providing a sharper appearance. |
| Duty Ratio |
1/N when N is equal to the number of segments selected by one complete cycle. |
| DUV |
DUV (Deep Ultra Violet) Light with very short wavelength used in semiconductor microlithography. The most common wavelengths are 248 nm and 193 nm due to good avail-ability of lasers. A shorter wavelength gives better resolution. |
| DVI - Digital Video Interface |
An emerging standard for digital display connections to personal computers. |
Glossary
