Seoul (Korea) – Sunlight is usually something you want to avoid when working with a notebook outside. In the case of LG’s new 14.1” LCD, however, you actually want sunlight - and lots of it: The LCD is driven by sunlight, features an increased contrast ratio and can save up to 75% power over regular LCD panels.



LG Display may have one of the more interesting LCD innovations at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, which will open its doors in early January. The company said it will demonstrate a new TFT LCD for notebooks that is specifically designed for outdoor use: The 14.1” panel is illuminated by sunlight instead of the standard backlight unit when used outside.

What makes this panel special is the integration of selective reflection plates in existing backlight panels, which enable the switch from reflective mode in a high luminance setting (sunlight) to transmissive mode in a low luminance setting (indoors and at night). LG claims that the display achieves an outdoor contrast ratio that is up to four times higher than what regular LCDs can provide in a similar setting. The switch from sunlight to backlight mode is simply done “with the touch of a button”, LG said.

Running a notebook LCD with the help of sunlight sharply cuts the power consumption of the most power hungry hardware in today’s notebooks as well. In sunlight mode, the display will use only 25% of the power used in backlight mode, LG promises. Since LCDs consume considerable amounts - typical 14.1” LCDs can consume somewhere between 50 and 70 watts – a power reduction of about 75% is significant.

There was no information when this new display may become available.

The last line of the article...

Dec 23, 2008 00:46     

... disappoints me. Never knew it could be done but it's exactly what I wanted since 2003, due to nature of work and some of my personal pursuits.
rollakid report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

50-70watts on a 14.1" display?

Dec 23, 2008 02:43     

That seems quite high when I consider a plugged in laptop 15.4" (not charging a battery) with a core2duo, 2gig of ddr2, integrated graphics, and a normal LCD draws about 25-30 watts from the wall while idle. Seems to me that this estimate of the power used by the lcd is a bit high.
Brian report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +16

cool!

Dec 23, 2008 03:53     

just wonder if it could switch itself depending on the lighting condition, rather than having to press a button..
wolfie2x report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

So...

Dec 23, 2008 04:22     

If its a cloudy day at the beach, all I have to do is change the scenery. Or Not? because its cloudy.
Sorbitol report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

OLPC XO-1

Dec 23, 2008 09:23     

I've been using this kind of screen for a year now. Works great on the One Laptop Per Child Foundation's XO-1. They go a step further and use an LED for illumination when it is needed.
Jeff report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

I think I speak for everyone when I say...

Dec 23, 2008 09:42     

Awesome!!
mikeF report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

Hell, even my smartphone have it...

Dec 23, 2008 14:14     

...why can't desktops/laptops have it now?
Darktores report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Wow

Dec 23, 2008 18:13     

that is truly amazing. I suspect others will follow suit! jess www.anonweb.eu.tc
James Deeson report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Cool!

Dec 23, 2008 21:59     

Cool!
mark report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

My 15 inch laptop backlight consumes around 6w. A t...

Dec 23, 2008 23:07     

My 15 inch laptop backlight consumes around 6w. A typical 17 inch LCD on your desk uses between 20 and 30. This estimate was a tad high. High end phones have had transreflective LCDs for ages. It's the best thing ever when you're trying to use it outside.
Jordan report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

you are wrong on the wattage

Dec 23, 2008 23:45     

The wattage you mention is for a desktop external monitor, not for a laptop lcd which are much more efficient. Still, though, most of the power drains from the screen rather than the other components, so it is still a big gain, just not the way you mention it.
nizzy1115 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Would this kind of display make digital photo frame...

Dec 24, 2008 02:03     

Would this kind of display make digital photo frames look more realistic?
realbart report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

umm...

Dec 24, 2008 07:58     

so if you live in Washington state or New England, basically this is nothing more than a novelty. neat idea, but if you don't live in an area that has 95% sunlight all the time, then don't bother.
skadeet report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

percentage wrong?

Dec 25, 2008 10:00     

The press release from LG I read claimed a 7.5% power savings in transflective mode.
Cabdriverjim report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0