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Electronics

Guide To Understanding The Technology of OLED and LED LCD

by Richard Vincenti Jr1 Comment

Many of us hear the terms LED LCD and OLED and assume that they are pretty much the same thing, and some people might not even know the difference between LCD T.V’s and LED LCD T.V’s. One reason for all of this confusion is the way that manufacturers market their products and how they refer to the new “technology” that they put into their devices.LED Abstract Image

A liquid crystal display (LCD) does not emit light itself, it requires some type of back light in order to see whatever is on the screen. LCD screens basically control light, sometimes they let it through and sometimes they don’t, this is what produces the image we see. Using voltage and transparent conductors, each pixel can be controlled precisely.

When LCD screens first came on to the market they were primarily backlit by CCFL or Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps. These CCFL lamps are usually positioned at the edges of the LCD screen and then a light diffuser is used to spread the light across the entire screen. This method of backlighting works really well but dose not produce a very good black. The reason this method doesn’t produce a good black color is because the CCFL lamps remain at full intensity even when displaying the darker part of images, which results in a glowing effect on the screen. Often we hear commercials for T.V’s mention that they have blacker blacks, they are referring to the contrast ratio which is directly related to how backlighting is managed.

More recently, manufacturers have been using small LED lights to illuminate the LCD screen. The LED’s can be placed at the edges of the screen and the light they produce can be diffused just like the CCFL back lighting method. LED lighting uses much less electricity and are much smaller than CCFL’s, which mean you can have a thinner, lighter, and more energy efficient display panel.

In order to achieve a better contrast ratio manufacturers began to dim the backlighting when darker images appear on the screen but this method only helps when the majority of the screen is dark, which is rare in most cases and means that the contrast ratio is basically the same for the majority of what your watching since the display almost never dims. So, how can we get a better contrast ratio for every image that appears on the screen? This is where WLED comes into play. WLED uses an entire array of LED lights that span the entire area of the LCD display. WLED allows for dimming in very specific locations of the screen which results in a very good contrast ratio. Another variation of WLED backlighting involves using RGB LED lighting instead of pure white LED’s. RGB LED backlight screens produce superior color compared to an all white WLED display and also have a solid contrast ratio.

So now that we have a basic understanding how how LCD screens are illuminated we can start to look at why OLED is actually quite different.

Organic Light Emitting Diode or OLED technology, as the name suggests, is an LED that uses organic compounds that emit light when electrical current is applied to them. As we mentioned before LED LCD T.V’s use and LCD screen that is backlight by LED lighting, with OLED displays, the OLED itself is the display, which means there is no need for a backlight. Since OLED displays lack a backlight they offer extremely dark blacks and very vivid and precise colors. OLED’s are basically flat in comparison to traditional LED’s which resemble little bulbs. With OLED’s being so small, manufactureres are able to make extremely thin and even flexible displays. OLED is relatively new and still has a lot of issues including saturation problems. OLED is also quite expensive at this time due to a difficult manufacturing process.

So where does Apple’s Retina display fit in? Well Apple does utilize LED backlight LCD screens that are similar to other displays, except Apple has squeezed in more pixels which creates a higher pixel density, so high that Apple claims the human eye can not see pixelation from a normal viewing distance.

So next time you head out to buy a new display, you can walk into the store with confidence now that you have a better understanding of how todays display technologies work.

Filed Under: Electronics, GuidesTagged With: Display Technology, LCD, LED, OLED, Technology

Nvidia GeForce Grid

by Richard Vincenti Jr1 Comment

When we think of gaming today we think about our computers, tablets, phones, handhelds, and consoles. We are always looking for more processing power, better graphics capabilities, and more RAM. Wouldn’t it be nice if the platform didn’t really matter anymore? What about looking at it from a developers point of view? Imagine creating a game that just works everywhere on everything. This type of technology is going to go mainstream and it’s going to revolutionize the way we use hardware.Nvidia Logo

I would go as far as to predict that the next generation of consoles that are released may very well be the last that actually do all of the data processing inside the hardware itself. I believe that cloud based gaming will become the standard and I think it will be amazing.

As someone who has worked with developing games, I understand wanting to make sure that anyone who experiences your game should experience it in the best way possible. You don’t want gamers to experience a lower quality version of your game just because of their hardware limitations.

Imagine how much easier it will be for game developers to send out patches and update their software, you can be sure that everyone is up-to-date with the latest bug fixes and features. Will patch day become a thing of the past? Secondary servers could be loaded up with the new version of the game and then swapped with the live version instantaneously.

Cloud based gaming is not without it’s flaws. Latency, which most online gamers are quite aware of and monitor regularly, has been a huge issue when trying to deliver an epic experience in real-time across the inter webs. Nvidia has come up with a solution to this problem and they are calling this new technology GeForce Grid. Geforce Grid is basically a supercomputer that you can tap into from your home. It’s almost like having Nvidia as your next door neighbor and whenever they come out with something better they just come into your house and upgrade your hardware first thing in the morning.

Now, I am not entirely sure how this will be marketed, I am thinking you might be able purchase server time and be able to play any title that is registered with your account. There will need to be some type of equipment for when you wanted to play on your television but most likely you will only need something for your controller to connect to. Most of the gaming hardware we will use will basically be a shell with a screen, talk about light weight.

This new technology is exciting to say the least and will be interesting to watch evolve. This will undoubtably reach far beyond the gaming space and reach into every aspect of our digital world.

If you would like to learn more about GeForce Grid, head to Nvidia’s official website here.

 

Filed Under: Discussions, Electronics, Games, Product SpotlightTagged With: Cloud, Gaming, GeForce, Grid, Nvidia, Technology

The Inspirational Fun of DIY Electronics

by Richard Vincenti JrLeave a Comment

From making your own radio to creating your new robot best friend, do it yourself electronics are just plain fun. Sensors, capacitors, diodes, motors,L.E.Ds, and many other components can all be tied together using either a breadboard or a piece of wood and some screws, all to create something awesome with your own two hands. DIY electronics not only can be rewarding and fun but can also get your mind thinking in a “engineering mode”. When you gain a deeper understanding of how electronics are put together, you can begin to imagine putting something together that maybe someone else hasn’t.DIY electronics on breadboard

There are a few different ways that you can begin building electronics but if you are just starting out you may want to pick up a hobby or project kit. You can purchase labs with snap circuits or you can jump right into it and grab a breadboard and look up some schematics. Electronic kits are available from many different vendors online and a simple google search will most likely get you where you need to be. Radio Shack of course still offers many kits online as well as in store.

Robot kits are one of my favorite ways to build. From solar powered grasshoppers to robotic mini-tanks, your options seem endless. Many robot kits will even allow you to use programming language to set up how your robot functions.

DIY electronics are also a great way to challenge the minds of your children. I remember my father bringing home one of these kits when I was just a kid and I spent many summers working on all of the projects in the book. When I finally reached the last page of the particular project I was working on and flipped the switch, it was awesome to see it all come together. It was such a great feeling to know that I put it together myself and it works!

If you get really good you may even be able to repair some of your stuff. Remote stop working? Television on the fritz? Maybe even repair that old iPod you have laying around. Heck, knowing what you’re doing can save you money in repairs. Just remember that opening up and attempting to repair home electronics usually voids the warranty, so only do this if you are really sure of what you are doing or if you don’t care about what you’re trying to fix. As always be sure to practice safety when working with electronics and use common sense. Always make sure that the power source is disconnected before beginning any work.

Tools play an important role in working with electronics and you should look into buying an electronics tool kit that usually includes things like the following.

  • 5 pc file set
  • PLCC extractor
  • 3 pc soldering aid set
  • 6″ tweezer
  • Brush
  • 6 pc precision screwdrivers
  • Screwdriver handle w/drivers bits
  • IC extractor
  • Mini-flashlight
  • Utility knife
  • Anti-static strap
  • Soldering iron
  • 7-in-1 tool
  • Mini-hammer set
  • 3 pc soft screwdrivers
  • 7 pc folding hex key set
  • 3 prong holder tool
  • 5″ cutters
  • 6″ adjustable wrench
  • 5″ long-nosed pliers
  • 8″lineman’s pliers
  • 4.5″ flat-nosed pliers
  • 4.5″ bent-nosed pliers
  • De soldering pump
  • Solder core
  • Heat sink

If you are interested in picking up this hobby or if you already enjoy this hobby but you are looking for resources, you can find some great tutorials,projects,vidoes, and an online store for electronics here.

 

Filed Under: Discussions, Electronics, ScienceTagged With: breadboard, circuit, DIY, Electronics, LED

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