How to choose a TFT LCD Display Module?

TFT (Thin Film Transistor) LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) now leads the flat panel display market, thanks to its affordability, vibrant colors, satisfactory viewing angles, energy efficiency, and user-friendly design. This technology has replaced traditional CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube) and VFD (Vacuum Fluorescent Display), while also limiting LED (Light Emitting Diode) displays primarily to larger formats. The versatility of TFT LCD displays has made them valuable in numerous fields such as televisions, computer monitors, medical devices, home appliances, automotive displays, kiosks, POS systems, budget mobile phones, marine applications, aerospace, industrial measuring instruments, smart home technology, handheld gadgets, gaming consoles, projectors, consumer electronics, and advertising displays. For further insights into TFT displays, please explore our knowledge base.

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When it comes to selecting the ideal TFT LCD display module for your needs, there are several factors to consider. Check out the following checklist to find the perfect match.

Size

• Choosing the right size is the essential first step for any project. Two dimensions to consider are the outside dimensions (width, height, and thickness) and the active area (AA) or pixel area. Orient Display offers products ranging in sizes from 1.0" to 32", with OLED sizes going down to 0.66" for wearable devices.

Resolution

• Resolution directly impacts clarity; displays with noticeable pixelation are undesirable. Higher resolution options include QVGA, VGA, HD, FHD, 4K, and even 8K. However, increased resolution comes with higher costs, power demands, memory requirements, and data transfer speeds. Orient Display provides resolutions from as low as 128x128 up to HD and FHD, and we are currently working on 4K solutions for our client base. For a comprehensive list of available resolutions, refer to our introduction to LCD resolution.

Aspect Ratio or Orientation

• It’s crucial to consider the orientation, whether landscape or portrait, as well as the aspect ratio. While 4:3 was once a common choice, you may now lean towards wider formats like 16:9 or even 21:9.

Brightness

• Choosing the appropriate brightness level for the TFT display is significant. You certainly do not want an LCD image to wash out in bright conditions, nor do you want to deplete battery life with excessive brightness for displays intended for indoor use. Further guidance is provided in the table below.

Orient Display offers a range of brightness options, including standard, medium, high brightness, and high-end sunlight-readable IPS TFT LCDs.

Viewing Angle

• If you're working with a limited budget, opting for TN type TFT LCD may be an option, though you must be mindful of the viewing angle, available in either 6 o'clock or 12 o'clock orientations. Watch for gray scale inversion issues. For premium products, IPS TFT LCD presents an ideal choice, free from viewing angle constraints.

Contrast Ratio

• The contrast ratio selection is akin to viewing angles: while TN type TFT LCDs offer lower contrast at a lower price, IPS TFT LCDs provide significantly improved contrast at a higher cost. Orient Display offers both types for your consideration.

Temperature

• Standard TFT LCDs usually function well within a temperature range of -20 to 70°C, suitable for most applications. However, for outdoor uses, an extended range from -30 to 80°C might be necessary, requiring special liquid crystal fluid. A heater is essential for operating conditions of -40°C. Storage temperatures tend not to be an issue, as many of Orient Display's standard TFT panels are rated to endure -40 to 85°C; don’t hesitate to reach out to our engineers for specific inquiries.

Power Consumption

• Power usage can be a critical factor in certain handheld devices. Typically, the backlight consumes more power than other display components. Implementing dimming or turning off backlighting during inactivity is advisable. For ultra-power-sensitive applications, incorporating a sleep mode or integrating memory for controllers must be part of the design. Feel free to contact our engineers for more insights.

Interface

Orient Display features a diverse array of interfaces such as HDMI, RGB, LVDS, MIPI, SPI, RS232, and Parallel MCU.

• Standard Interfaces: These interfaces are offered by display or touch controller manufacturers and include several options such as Parallel, MCU, SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface), I2C, RGB (Red Green Blue), MIPI (Mobile Industry Processor Interface), LVDS (Low-Voltage Differential Signaling), eDP (Embedded DisplayPort). Orient Display has developed technology that allows for cross-compatibility among these interfaces.
• Advanced Interfaces: Orient Display also offers higher-level interfaces, which simplify usage for non-display engineers. Examples include RS232, RS485, USB, VGA, HDMI, among others; additional information can be found in our product series for TFT modules, Arduino TFT displays, Raspberry Pi TFT displays, and control boards.

Touch Panel

The integration of touch panels has significantly enhanced human-machine interactions and is increasingly popular. Orient Display is heavily invested in manufacturing capacitive touch screen sensors and has become the leading global supplier in this area, capturing an approximate 18% share of the automotive market.

We provide various types of touch technology, including traditional GG (Glass Glass), OGS (One Glass Solution), and PG (Plastic Glass) configurations.

Leveraging these three touch panel technologies, Orient Display also offers different features like glove touch compatibility, water-resistant touch inputs, and more, including advanced functions such as hover touch, 3D (force) touch, and haptic response capabilities. Furthermore, we can accommodate various touch formats ranging from cost-effective fixed-area buttons to multi-touch solutions that support up to 16 points.

We can also create touch panels in diverse shapes such as standard 2D (rectangle, round, octagon), 2.5D (with rounded edges), or fully 3D (curved surfaces).

In terms of durability, choices range from economical chemically tempered soda-lime glass to high-end options like Asahi (AGC) Dragontrail glass and Corning Gorilla glass. Depending on your thickness requirements, we can provide the thinnest 0.5mm OGS touch panels, robust designs over 10mm thick, or flexible plastic alternatives for safety.

Additionally, we can supply traditional RTP (Resistive Touch Panel) technology through our partners, with available configurations including 4-wire, 5-wire, and 8-wire systems.

Custom Solutions

If our current line-up does not provide the perfect TFT LCD display for your needs, don’t lose hope. The products showcased on our website represent just a fraction of our offerings. With thousands of standard products in our database, you can reach out to our engineers for more information.

If you require a custom display, Orient Display is open to offering partial customization. This can include adjusting the FPC for different lengths or shapes, minimizing pin out configurations, designing ultra-bright LCD panels, or incorporating your company logo onto a cover lens. Our engineers will work with you to achieve your desired results, with NRE costs starting from hundreds to thousands of dollars. In unique circumstances, it can extend to tens of thousands.

For fully customized TFT LCD panels, anticipate high NRE costs that vary based on size, quantity, and production methodologies, with tooling costs potentially ranging from $100,000 to over $1 million.

For questions regarding Orient Display technologies and products, do not hesitate to reach out to our engineers.

ORIC Electronics serves various industries worldwide, maintaining a strong commitment to quality. Our mission is to furnish customers with high-value products. Together, let's forge a brighter future.