Panasonic Corporation has developed a new model of its IPS liquid crystal panel that achieves a contrast ratio of over 1,000,000:1, which is 600 times that of conventional liquid crystal panels.
Conventional liquid crystal panels, with a contrast ratio of approximately 1,800:1, suffer black floating in dark parts when the backlight intensity is increased, according to Panasonic. They also undergo a loss in sparkle in bright parts when the backlight intensity is lowered.
Structural comparison between a conventional liquid crystal panel and the new IPS version from Panasonic. Image credit: Panasonic Corporation.Panasonic's high-contrast IPS panel uses newly developed light-modulating cells that are integrated into the display cells. As a result, it is capable of controlling the amount of backlight entering the display cells pixel by pixel to achieve the high contrast ratio (maximum brightness: 1,000 cd/m², minimum brightness: 0.001 cd/m²).
The light-modulating cells are composed of a liquid crystal material with different light-transmission properties to those used in the display cells, allowing independent control of the display and light-modulating cells. Panasonic says this has reduced light leakage significantly, allowing finely tuned gradation expression.
According to Panasonic, the new IPS panel, which can be manufactured in existing liquid crystal panel manufacturing facilities, is suitable for high-end monitors for broadcasting, video production, medical and other applications. Sample shipments will begin in January 2017.
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