Hitachi today demonstrated what it said will bring prices of LCD panels down significantly, while bringing quality up: hot cathode fluorescent lamps, or HCFL.
Most LCD panels shipping today are based on CCFL, or cold cathodes, but Hitachi told us today that its new HCFL technology not only gives superior brightness as well as lighting control, but utilize less energy and cost significantly less than emerging LED panels. With HCFL, LCD panels will achieve two to four times the watt output that a typical CCFL panel can do. Not only this, new LCD panels will also deliver more granular and accurate brightness controls. Most of all, Hitachi said that HCFL panels will require only two to three times less lamps, all while delivering more brightness.
On a 32-inch display, a HCFL panel will require anywhere from four to six lamps, while an older CCFL display can take up to 14 lamps. This of course, translates into significant power savings over the long haul.
When we asked about comparable LED panels, Hitachi indicated that there will be a huge cost savings. Current LED LCD TVs on the market command a high premium and we're excited to see a cheaper alternative show up.
I bet it looks nice next to your LPs.
Oh come on, you're KILLING me.
For some reason, Excel 07 doesn't like the formula "two to three times less"...
I believe they are. Its amazing how often people look backwards and find a more efficient solution. Who knows why they used cold cathodes, probably just something they always did with LCDs, and no one bothered to consider hot cathodes until now.
Yea that made me cringe too.
Yea. I think there are reasons why you can't throw CRT units away either. Something bad lol.
Hot Cathodes? Initially I would have thought this would be a bad switch from cold cathodes, but if it really does mean cheaper equal, or better quality LCDs, then I'm happy. I've been waiting for a sub $200 28" monitor.
I bet it looks nice next to your LPs.
Welcome to the future, we value progress here.
Of course this is old technology. But I still think it is worth the 40$ for such a high definition, which IMHO is more important than having the latest technology. But it's two different world: brand new and used stuff.
The headline states "Wallets rejoice". What kind of state of the art screen do you get for 40$? New, forget it. Used, there's a good chance of having something very good and that will still work in two years.
As for repair: it's not THAT dangerous. It's dangerous to hit it with a hammer or a mace. But you could even drop it and chances are that it won't even break. Have you dropped a TV?
Voltages are high inside but don't carry much power. The real danger there is to take a shock and dropping off your chair on the neck.
In my job, I see so many LCD screens destroyed by people who still don't get that you DO NOT PUT YOUR FINGER IN THE SCREEN. I didn't see such things on CRTs and I wouldn't even dare dropping one.
Well, my whole point is not really relevant to the topic here, it's just about the wallet part
On current TFT/LCD technology the sun can be used as backlight to light the screen
Buying a brand new 1280x1024 LCD costs less than $100, so what will these be at?
The biggest thing I can think of a use for is my fathers laptop. The thing is a massive beast, and such resulting in a huge screen requiring a lot of power. This would make significant longer battery life.
@hellwig. The reason they haven't used the old style cathode is because they are huge. That is what took up the bulk of the CRT's. This scant article left all that pertinent info out. Hitachi must have come up with a way to make a hot cathode unit or units that were very slim.