NEC LCD Technologies’ New 21.3-Inch LCD Modules for Medical Use Deliver Industry-Leading Luminance

NEC LCD Technologies today introduced two new 21.3-inch [54 centimeters (cm)-diagonal] amorphous-silicon color thin-film-transistor (TFT) liquid crystal display (LCD) modules for medical applications such as the display of radiograms for the interpretation and diagnosis of illness. The NL160120AC27-20 is an ultra extended graphics array (UXGA) resolution TFT LCD module with brightness of

950 cd/m2, and the NL204153AC21-09 is a quad extended graphics array (QXGA) resolution TFT LCD module with brightness of 800 cd/m2. Both of the new color products achieve industry-leading luminance in each resolution category by NEC LCD Technologies’ proprietary ultra-advanced, super-fine TFT (UA-SFT) technology and a new high-intensity, direct back-light system. Ideal for medical image diagnosis, the new modules also realize high picture performance with ultra-wide viewing angles, a high contrast ratio and high brightness uniformity.

The main characteristics of the new models are as follows.

1. Industry-leading high luminance
Through first-time application of proprietary UA-SFT technology to the 21.3-inch class of LCDs, which achieves a 20% improvement in optical transmittance as compared with SA-SFT technology, combined with the new high-intensity direct back-light system and further enhanced LCD panel design, the NL160120AC27-20 achieves high luminance of 950 cd/m2, twice that of the conventional product. The NL204153AC21-09 has QXGA resolution that is equivalent to approximately 1.6 times the density (area ratio) of the NL160120AC27-20 and attains high luminance of 800 cd/m2. Although both of the new products are color models they achieve a dynamic range of luminance, which has been conventionally difficult to attain along with high density and color, thereby enabling the smooth and precise reproduction of grayscale required for medical image diagnosis.

2. High contrast performance
A review in panel design, including adoption of UA-SFT technology, has improved the LCD panel's ability to prevent the leakage of light leading to enhanced black display. As a result, the NL160120AC27-20 and the NL204153AC21-realize high contrasts of 800:1 and 750:1 respectively. In addition, optimization of the optical design inhibits a "washed-out black" phenomenon that occurs when the viewing angle is enlarged - currently a common issue with in-plane switching (IPS) type LCD modules - leading to enhanced viewing angle performance of the contrast ratio.

3. High brightness uniformity
Enhancement of the entire optical design of the LCD module, including the LCD panel and the backlight system, enabled a reduction in the screen brightness difference, realizing a higher level of brightness uniformity than the conventional product, NL160120AC27-05. Higher brightness uniformity has been long sought after in medical image diagnosis.

“The LCD needs of the medical field have become increasingly complicated and sophisticated as use increases. We have striven to fulfill these increasingly diverse needs by continuing to enable high quality images and ultra wide viewing angles to enable our modules to be adopted even more widely by medical equipment manufacturers worldwide,” said Masaaki Hiroshima, Product Planning Department Manager, NEC LCD Technologies. “By further enhancing luminance, both of our new color LCD products can be used for X-ray interpretation and PACS Viewer use simultaneously, eliminating the need for two separate monitors to provide further convenience to the medical community.” 

As one of the few LCD module manufacturers that meet the needs of the medical field, NEC LCD Technologies will continue to pursue an even higher level of picture quality to supply unrivaled products. Both of the new modules will be displayed at FPD International 2007, which is being held at the Pacifico Yokohama, Japan, from October 24 - 26.

Pricing and Availability
Availability of samples is scheduled for the end of November 2007. Pricing and availability are subject to change.

 

Model number (resolution)	NL160120AC27-20 (UXGA)	NL204153AC21-09 (QXGA)
Size (diagonal measurement)	21.3-inch (54 cm diagonal)	21.3-inch (54 cm diagonal)
Brightness	950 cd/m2	800 cd/m2
Sample availability	November 2007	November 2007

 

See the attachments for the main specifications of the two new modules.

 Main specifications of the new 21.3-inch model NL160120AC27-20 (UXGA)
 Main specifications of the new 21.3-inch model NL204153AC21-09 (QXGA)