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| Xenarc Technologies is the leading Manufacturer of Small Form Factor Truly Rugged All-Weather 7" to 18" Display Monitors that work anywhere: Both Indoors and Outdoors www.xenarc.com |
INTRODUCTION
Many specs and features influence the choice between consumer, commercial and truly rugged display monitors to fit a given set of needs and oftentimes the more important one to consider is overall system requirements. Potentially overlooked or poorly understood, a display’s LCD panel has a significant impact on its capabilities and the uses for which it will be best suited.Learn what type of technology and ruggedness is right for your company’s applications and select the type of LCD panel that is right for you. Weather you need entry level small form factor 7” to 18” monitor or need a more ruggedized and reinforced LCD display solution rich in features, Xenarc Technologies can custom manufacture the right LCD display solutions that fit your display project no matter the size.
Today’s home, office or factory flat screen LCD monitors primarily use (or are a variation of) one of three main panel technologies: TN, VA or IPS. Each of these panel technologies offers distinct benefits and none offers a one-size-fits-all solution. The first widely available LCD panel technology, TN continues to maintain its position as the mainstream LCD panel, while the more recently introduced VA and IPS technologies offer added, premium-level features and premium performance.
Nonetheless, the best LCD panel type for each user should be based on system requirements and overall total cost of ownership and how and where the LCD monitor will be used – not what’s new, hot or leading the market at the time of purchase or even the sticker price for that matter.
Engineers, Automators, Industrial Integrators have differing needs than lets say home or office LCD Monitor users and will generally benefit from differing qualities offered by the different types of panels and the technology and features that can be custom added as needed to operate in the specific environment where the LCD panels will be installed and be operating continuously.
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| Xenarc Technologies Rugged Monitors last over 6.2 Years or > 55,000 Hours of 24 hour continuous Operation |
The amount of time a user spends in front of the screen, the amount of time the LCD Display will be in critical operation and the environment where the monitor is going to operate is another important factor worth considering, as premium quality panels can help improve viewing comfort, can operate both indoors and outdoors in harsh environments, have low power consumption (≤ 20W), low operating voltage and have a MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures): > 55,000 Hours which is equivalent to over 6.2 years of continuous operation for critical systems. Warranty is another factor that must be included to calculate the Total Cost of Ownership.
Other factors worth considering are type of touchscreen whether resistive or capacitive, type of power supply needed to operate, operating temperature required, storage temperature required, vibration reinforcement technology, shock proof reinforcement technology, waterproof technology, sunlight readable technology, optical bonding technology just to name a few. Xenarc Technologies LCD monitors are built to work anywhere.
This white paper provides an overview of the panel technologies available and the latest features that can be added to any size small form factor 7” to 18” manufactured by Xenarc Technologies, taking a look at their unique qualities and fit profile for specific user needs and total cost of ownership beyond price associated with each type of LCD Panel.
Xenarc Technologies Monitors have the lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
Xenarc Touchscreen Monitor Can End Up Costing you $0 in the long run
Total cost of ownership (TCO) is a financial estimate intended to help buyers and owners determine the direct and indirect costs of a product or system. It is a management accounting concept that can be used in full cost accounting or even ecological economics where it includes social costs. A Xenarc Monitor is truly peace of mind because it is built to last over 6.2 years and comes with a solid 3 year warranty. With the yearly depreciation of your Xenarc Monitor, which is tax deductible, A Xenarc truly has the lowest cost of ownership. It might even end up cost you $0 dollars as it will pay for itself over the years.
If for any reason there is a manufacture defect on any Xenarc Monitor, you can just submit an RMA Request to the Display Engineers at Xenarc Technologies and we will issue a RMA Number which will let you ship the defective monitor back to us. Let us compare now the different types of LCD panels out there so that you can have a more accurate system requirement and are more aware of the technologies out there.
First, a brief review of how LCD displays work.
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| How LCDs Work |
WHAT IS AN LCD PANEL?
When you look at your desktop LCD monitor it may seem like one piece of slim material, which you may easily assume is the display’s panel. What you’re actually seeing is the topmost of several layers of very thin components. These layers include a combination of polarizing filters, glass substrates, electrodes, the liquid crystal panel and some type of backlight – today most often an LED, which has almost entirely replaced CCFL backlight technology.The panel itself is a flat sheet of material containing liquid crystals (LCs), a unique state of matter made of complicated molecules which have optical properties that can be activated by an electric current. Like water and other conventional liquids, liquid crystals are solid at low temperatures, with their molecules lined up in a parallel pattern; as they warm and melt their molecules become patternless and move about freely.
Unlike water and other conventional liquids, however, as LCs melt they go through an intermediate phase, initially transforming into a cloudy liquid, then at slightly higher temperatures become completely clear. It is in this cloudy, intermediate phase that LCs are able to reflect light, thanks to the unique ability of their molecules to move freely while also retaining a more or less parallel orientation.
The Physics of LCDs The combination of these properties makes LCD monitors possible: • Light can be polarized. • Liquid crystals can transmit and change polarized light. • The structure of liquid crystals can be changed by electric current. • There are transparent substances that can conduct electricity. For more on how LCDs work see: https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/lcd2.htm
In an LCD monitor, an electric current is used to switch segments of liquid crystals (pixels) from the transparent phase to the cloudy phase. The different panel technologies achieve image display through different methods of orienting the liquid crystals and adjusting the voltage, among other variables, but the basic principles apply to them all: a grid of liquid crystal pixels sit in front of a backlight and act as shutters, either allowing light to pass through or blocking it out.
WHY THE PANEL MATTERS
The type of panel used in an LCD display affects many aspects of its performance. In particular, a display’s panel technology directly affects its:♦ Response time and input lag
♦ Viewing angle
♦ Color reproduction
♦ Contrast ratio
♦ Black levels
For each of these characteristics there is a range of acceptable performance, and each of the major panel technologies offers a unique profile based on where it falls on the continuum for each. No one type of LCD is the best (or the worst) at everything – none ranks either “just ok” or “outstanding” for all of the characteristics.
TWISTED NEMATIC (TN) Panel Technology
The most significant constraint of TN technology is its narrower viewing angels, both side to side and top to bottom, which result in greater color shifting than with other types of panels. Today’s maximum possible viewing angle, which is available with all non-TN technologies, is 178 degrees both horizontally and vertically, often represented as 178º/178º. Although this may seem like a marginal improvement over the 170 degrees horizontal/160 degrees vertical delivered by TN panels, in reality those few degrees make a visible difference in image quality at the edges of the screen. In fact, TN-based displays can easily be identified by the color distortions and contrast shifting that are visible when viewing images from above or from the sides.
As screen sizes increase, this diminished color performance is often even apparent when viewing the screen from a dead center position, with slight color shifts visible at different locations across the screen, more substantial darkening noticeable toward the top of the screen, and a lightening of images toward the screen’s bottom. For general-purpose use, however, these shifts in color and contrast may be completely irrelevant and quickly fade from conscious perception. However, for color-critical work, such as for applications in the military, medical field and even marine vehicles, the inherent color variability of a TN LCD make it a not so unsuitable fit for these users and industries.
Graphic designers, Medical, Military, System Integrators, Point of Sale Personnel, Casino Operators & digital signage installers and other color-conscious professionals will also generally avoid TN displays due to their more limited range of color display compared to the other technologies. Finally, while you may have heard that TN-based LCDs are susceptible to delivering poor black depth, lower brightness and more limited contrast ratios, today’s quality LED backlit models offer higher brightness along with better blacks and higher contrast ratios. Bottom Line TN panels continue to lead the pack as the mainstream LCD technology. The least expensive panel technology, TN displays are ideal for cost-conscious businesses and consumers as well as anyone looking for a multipurpose monitor.
In addition, TN displays enjoy unmatched popularity with gamers and other users who seek rapid graphics displays.
Advantages:
• Rapid response time
• Lowest price
• Sufficient contrast for most business/general purpose use
Drawbacks:
• Most restrictive viewing angles, especially in vertical plane
• Not recommended for color-critical applications
Best for:
• Gaming
• Indoor Digital Signage
• Entry-level
• Multipurpose
• General business
• Home use
PREMIUM PANEL TECHNOLOGIES
Displays designed around TN panel technology can be a great fit for many types of users. However, while TN displays are less costly, they are ill-suited for applications that benefit from the wider viewing angles, higher contrast ratios, and better color accuracy offered by premium panel technologies. Particularly important (often critical) for those engaged in color- and detail-focused critical work, premium panel LCDs offer outstanding advantages for anyone looking for leading levels of color accuracy and visual clarity. Not only do the technologies discussed below virtually eliminate image distortion and color shifting, they can also help enhance viewing comfort and improve the overall user experience, particularly for those who use their display for extended periods of time.
VERTICAL ALIGNMENT (VA) Panel Technology
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VERTICAL ALIGNMENT (VA) Panel Technology |
VA technology is particularly efficient at blocking light from the backlight when it’s not needed to support an image. This enables the display of deeper blacks and higher static contrast ratios – up to several times higher than that of the other LCD technologies.2 The measured difference between the darkest blacks and the brightest whites a display is capable of producing, contrast ratio provides information about the amount of grayscale detail a display will deliver – the lower the contrast ratio, the less detail.
The high contrast ratios offered by VA-based displays enable them to deliver intense blacks, richer colors with more visible details in shadows and highlights – making them ideal for enjoying videos and movies as well as for gaming focused on imagery rather than the ultimate in speed. While VA monitors boasting a 5000:1 contrast ratio tend to be high-end, feature rich models with a corresponding price tag, monitors offering 1000:1 and 3000:1 contrast ratio have become common and offer mid-range pricing and feature sets ideal for multipurpose work and play.
It is important to note that older types of VA Panel technology still suffer from lower response times, input lag, color shifts and uneven brightness. For many users looking for a general purpose monitor that’s a notch above TN quality, these drawbacks may easily go unnoticed. However industrial integrators, automators and display engineers, gamers and video enthusiasts or critical workforce pro-users looking for an alternative to IPS will want to look for the latest in AMVA panel technology.
Understanding Contrast Ratio:
Contrast ratio: Also known as “static” contrast ratio, this spec compares the darkest and brightest color a display can produce at a given point in time. Considered the most realistic and useful spec for understanding a display’s contrast performance and grayscale abilities.
Dynamic contrast ratio: Dynamic contrast ratio (DCR) compares the brightest and darkest color a display can produce over time – that is, while an image is moving. To enhance DCR, backlighting is dynamically adjusted for darker scenes to deliver improved black levels and enhanced image details.
MEGA Dynamic Contrast Ratio: This term is used to indicate the virtually unlimited dynamic contrast range possible with LED backlit displays, where each LED can completely shut off, allowing for a nearly infinite ratio of black to white contrast. While enhancing the ability to display true blacks that result in greater overall image quality, neither MEGA DCR nor DCR are considered as useful as static contrast ratio for comparing contrast capabilities
Bottom Line
The latest VA-based panel technologies offer premium advantages over mainstream TN technology. With the highest-available static contrast ratios of any panel technology, MVA and other recent VA technologies offer an outstanding visual experience for movie enthusiasts and other professional enterprise users seeking depth of detail. Expanded super-wide 178º/178º viewing angles minimize color shift and higher-end, feature-rich MVA displays offer the consistent, authentic color representation needed by graphic designers and other visually demanding professional users. Models on the higher end of VA response times are sufficient for many types of gaming and other enterprise applications indoor/outdoors.
Advantages:
• Maximum available viewing angles
• High contrast ratios
• Response times sufficient for most users
• Mid-range to high-end pricing options
Drawbacks:
• Response times slower than TN and IPS
• Off-center contrast shift with some models
Best for:
• Movies
• Photography/Videography
• Content creation
• Home use
• Professional Enterprise Grade Users At the Office
• Gamers who value image quality over response time
IN-PLANE SWITCHING (IPS) AND PLANE-TO-LINE SWITCHING (PLS)
Initially expensive, slow and not readily available, IPS displays were the nearly exclusive domain of super high-end professional users, who valued the technology for its outstanding color performance and super-wide 178º/178º viewing angles and often times its ruggedness. Still the most popular choice among color-conscious professionals like graphic designers, photographers, video editors, industrial integrators, automators and engineers, IPS is much improved from its earliest days on the market, and much more readily available in a range of price points.Like VA technology, IPS has gone through many developmental stages, each improving upon its predecessors. Today variations such as S-IPS, H-IPS, e-IPS and P-IPS offer similar tweaks on the basic technology by different manufacturers. In addition, PLS (Plane-to-Line Switching) panels introduced by Samsung in 2010 to compete with LG’s extremely popular IPS technology, is in essence just another variation on IPS, delivering very similar real-world results.
Indeed, all of these variations are relatively similar in terms of the technology used, and are typically collectively referred to as “IPS-type” panels.3 Along the way, the color accuracy of IPS panels has been a consistent strong point and the technology continues, in the experience of pro users, to surpass the performance of TN and VA equivalents in this area.
As latest-gen VA technology like AMVA continues to offer pro-worthy color performance specs, this may change, but at present – at least in the minds of the professional users who champion its virtues – IPS still reigns supreme in real-world design environments, if not always on paper.4,5 IPS and PLS panels also provide support for professional color space technologies, such as Adobe Color, for color-critical applications. In addition to higher color depths, these panels offer more displayable colors which helps to improve color accuracy.6
The expansive viewing angles delivered by IPS are a key factor in its outstanding color performance. Offering full 178º/178º viewing free from the off-center contrast shift seen with some VA panels, with IPStype panels, each color will remain true and consistent regardless of its position on the screen and whether viewed from the sides, top or bottom. Initially a weakness of IPS technology, response time and contrast have subsequently been greatly improved upon.
While initially unsuitable for dynamic content due to slow response times, many current IPS and PLS monitors are far more responsive than their VA counterparts and can even hold their own against some TN monitors.7 Adequate for most general and pro users, IPS response times currently range from 5ms to 16ms – only slightly slower than many TN panels at the low end of the continuum.
While this will certainly satisfy many gamers, or those who value color performance over speed, it should be noted that fast paced games may suffer from motion blur or ghosting with IPS panels that have a response time higher than 8ms.8 This, however, is not by any means a universal opinion; as summed up by one gaming technology writer:
“As for pixel response, opinions vary. I personally think IPS panels are quick enough for almost all gaming. If your gaming life is absolutely and exclusively about hair-trigger shooters, OK, you’ll want the fastest response, lowest latency LCD monitor. And that means TN. For the rest of us, and certainly for those who place even a modicum of importance on the visual spectacle of games, I reckon IPS is clearly the best panel technology.”
Contrast, another traditional area of weakness for IPS monitors, has also been greatly” improved with recent technical advances, rendering them equivalent to their TN counterparts, with typical 1000:1 contrast ratios – suitable for just about any type of computing.10 Another bothersome issue that has been resolved with the more advanced versions of IPS/PLS is what has become known as the “IPS glow” or backlight bleeding – a haze of light visible at the monitor’s edges and/or corners when viewing particularly dark content.
Generally only visible at off-angles and with black or near-black content, IPS glow has been virtually eliminated on quality, higher-end and professional-grade IPS monitors. While IPS glow has never been a deal breaker for most mainstream users looking to affordably enjoy the many benefits of IPS, professional users and home enthusiasts looking for best-in-class viewing angles and color accuracy will want to stick with higher-end displays from known manufacturers.
Xenarc Technologies makes use of the most advanced and professional IPS and PLS Switching with custom added technologies such as sunlight readable, waterproof, optical bonding advanced touch screens that can either be capacitive or resistive.
Chip Monolithic Ceramic Capacitors for Improved Durability, High Performance Image and Video Signal Processors, AISS - Advanced Image-Scaling and Shaping, Wide Viewing Angle IPS (In-Plane Switching) LCD Panel, Automatic Backlight Adjustment through Built-in Ambient Light Sensor, Projected Capacitive Multi-Touch Touchscreen (USB), Optical Bonding, Anti-Reflective and Anti-Fingerprint Coating, Plug-N-Play with Windows 7 and up and Android devices (Downloadable drivers for other OS), Multi-Monitor Touchscreen Support.
Bottom Line
IPS, PLS and other IPS-type monitors continue to uphold their reputation as outstanding tools for users that require the utmost in color accuracy and consistency. In recent years IPS monitors have become increasingly available, with a corresponding decrease in prices, putting IPS displays within reach for a wider range of budgets and usage objectives. Technological advances have improved IPS panel speed, contrast and resolution, making these displays more attractive than ever for general desktop work as well as some types of professional applications
Advantages:
• Outstanding color accuracy and consistency
• Maximum available viewing angles
• Response times sufficient for most users
• Virtually eliminates color/contrast shift seen with some VA displays
Drawbacks:
• Maximum static contrast of 1000:1
• Potential white glow from off-angles when viewing dark content
Best for:
• Color-critical professional applications
• Technology enthusiasts
• Higher-level business / home use
• Gamers who value image quality over response time
Small Form Factor 7” to 18” Truly Rugged Display Touchscreen Manufacturing By Xenarc Technologies in Irvine, California & Taipei Taiwan
Xenarc Technologies has been designing and manufacturing off-the-shelf Small Form Factor Truly Rugged 7” to 18” touchscreen display monitors the last 20 years. All of our all weather, truly rugged touchscreen display monitors are tough roughly tested and certified for Automotive, Industrial, Marine, Medical, Military, POS, Digital Signage just to name a few industries.
Xenarc Technologies Corporation is dedicated to becoming your cutting-edge small form factor truly rugged, all weather custom technology display touchscreen monitor solution manufacturer and supplier.
HISTORY OF XENARC TECHNOLOGIES
Xenarc Technologies Corporation was founded in 2002 as a pioneer in truly rugged 7" to 18" small form factor, video and touchscreen interface device manufacturing. We were the first to introduce a 7” VGA display monitor, and the first to bring a touchscreen version of this display LCD monitor to market with the iconic 700TSV.
The Company quickly found a niche in the rugged display market by providing high quality touchscreen display monitors with a bevy of functions and features, as well as rugged monitors that never incorporate refurbished LCD panels or refurbished components, as other display manufacturers rely on.
Establishing a strong presence first in the USA, and then into Europe, Asia and Australia, Xenarc rugged 7" to 18" display monitors have provided video and touchscreen interfaces (HMIs) to a wide range of industries such as smart IIoT industrial factory floors, in-vehicle communication and tracking, digital signage, point of sale, medical, military, marine and to enhance the user experience with advanced user interface systems such as voting, in-store advertising and gaming machines.
We also have experience providing custom ruggedized touchscreen display solutions for mining machinery, sea and air applications, military applications and medical devices requiring stringent certifications. Xenarc Technologies continues to stay in the forefront of the true rugged display solutions going beyond VGA now to SDI, HDMI, DisplayPort, USB, and wireless solutions.
All of our 7" to 18" display solutions are manufactured by our own factory in Taipei, Taiwan in ISO9001 and ISO14001 certified facilities. In addition to our current display product line, we provide OEM customized display solutions to customers looking to create a new market incorporating these cutting edge display technologies.
Why do our All weather Rugged display products outlast others in extreme conditions? Why do our products have a wider temperature range and a wider voltage input range? It is because our mission is to offer engineers, automators and system integrators the best products for any situation. By utilizing high grade components, our small form factor 7” to 18” touchscreen display monitors are perfect for industrial, in-car computing applications or any other applications where a small, durable, environmentally rugged display is required, including but not limited to:
Transportation - Marine, Air, Heavy Vehicles, Mining, Weigh Stations, Fleet Management, Telematics, In-Car Computing, Public Transit, Cargo
System Integration - Machinery Controls, Factory Automation, Environmental Monitoring, Home Automation, Military, Smart Home
Point of Sale - Hospitality, Digital Signage, Self-Service Kiosks, Outdoor Kiosks and Signage, Casino
Data Monitoring - Cloud, IoT, Medical, Logistics, Inventory Management, Oil & Gas/Utilities, Law Enforcement, Broadcasting, Veterinary, First Person View
Broadcast & Production - Broadcast Stations, Mobile Production Vehicles, Field Rugged Deployment for your mobile workforce, Studio Video Production
Xenarc Technologies = PEACE OF MIND
Xenarc Technologies All-Weather Rugged 7" to 18" Monitors are built tough to last. The Mean Rate Between Failures of a Xenarc Monitor is over 6.2 years of continuous use and with the new updated manufacturer's warranty of 3 years, this is truly peace of mind. A Xenarc Technologies Rugged Monitor ends up paying for itself in 5 to 6 years because it rarely fails and can easily be tax deducted year after year when it depreciates. Engineers and Automators love the ruggedness and the toughness of a Xenarc Monitor especially for critical operations where no down time can be risked.
Please feel free to contact us at sales@xenarc.com to have a specialist help you in selecting the right display for your application.
CONCLUSION
When it comes to choosing LCD panel technology, there is no single right answer. Each of the three primary technologies offers a distinct combination of strengths and weaknesses and individual user needs, while budget and preferences will determine the best overall fit for each user. It is important to note that among the monitors using each type of panel there will also be a range of price points, features and overall quality offered, and that quality may vary among manufacturers due to other factors related to a display’s components, manufacturing and design.
Certifications:
IP65, IP67, IK07 and IK08 as well as optical bonding and other technologies that can be added so that it can be used for the application or industrial floor etc.
Other Technologies and Features that can be custom added to your display system requirements:
♦ Custom Designing & Manufacturing
♦ Capacitive Touch Screen
♦ Resistive Touch Screen
♦ Optical Bonding
♦ Waterproof
♦ Sunlight Readable
♦ Proprietary Backlight Enhancement
♦ High Temperature Tolerant
♦ Low Temperature Tolerant
♦ Low to High Voltage Tolerant
♦ Open Frame Rack Mount
♦ Pressure Resistant Technology
♦ High Vibration Resistant
♦ Low Vibration Resistant
♦ Indoor Display Kit
♦ Digital Signage Kit
♦ Point of Sale Kit
♦ Ruggedized & Reinforced
♦ Touchscreen break resistant
♦ Continuous Operation
♦ Chip Monolithic Ceramic Capacitors for Improved Durability
♦ High Performance Image and Video Signal Processor
♦ AISS - Advanced Image-Scaling and Shaping
♦ Automatic Backlight Adjustment through Built-in Ambient Light Sensor
♦ Anti-Reflective & Anti-Fingerprint Coating
♦ Multi-Monitor Touchscreen Support
Compare ALL Xenarc 7" to 18" Monitors
"HDMI Monitors"
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