lcd display brightness control price

For the video display developer LCD panels are available in many sizes and resolutions, they are also available with many choices of maximum brightness. The following considers the topic of LCD panel brightness, the choices, the methods for adjusting brightness and some brightness adjustment scenarios.

LCD panels are generally rated as to their maximum brightness level which is expressed in Nits, it is equal to Candela/sqm (cd/m2), and this will be at a particular color temperature as noted in the specification, usually 10,000 K. In terms of a practical understanding, the following is a rough guide:

Outdoor displays range from a low end of 700 nits to typically 1,000 or 1,500nits and up with 2,000~2,500nits and even up to 5,000nits seen with some models. This may include standard LCD panels, custom LCD panels as well as custom cut LCD panels.

Virtually all LCD panels have a LED backlight these days, these are powered by an LED driver board. Brightness control via the driver board will be by one of two methods:

PWM (Pulse Width Modulation): This varies the duty cycle of the backlight “on time” – it is predominant in modern LCD panel LED backlight designs to enable support for digital brightness controls.

Analog: Uses a simple variable voltage to adjust brightness, for example this might be a dial or slider type potentiometer / variable resistor. To see how to enable analog backlight adjustment visit: https://www.digitalview.com/blog/brightness-adjustment/

One of the advantages of LED for the backlight is the range of adjustment that is possible, however it is important to note that the range varies significantly from model to model. Some industrial panels can be turned to very low light levels making them suitable for use in special environments such as at night. Lower cost panels limit the range of brightness to what might be required for typical usage, whereas panels with full range dimming from full off to full on require more complex backlight drivers.

Backlight lifetime: Many LCD panels have a backlight lifetime rating of 50,000 hours (typically measured to half brightness), this can be extended by running the LED backlight at a lower brightness level. Some panels may only offer 30,000 hours as a lower cost solution while other panels may offer up to 100,000 hours for high end applications.

An LCD panel backlight may be constructed so the LED’s are mounted directly behind a light guide diffuser, or they may be mounted along one or more edges of the light guide.

Active backlight: This is a function of some LCD panel backlights to automatically adjust the backlight brightness in response to the image. For more advanced systems there is an LED array making up the LED backlight, this adjusts the brightness in areas localized to the image being shown. This can greatly enhance the brightness across the display and is being used primarily with video, for example on consumer TV sets. It is not useful to all image types, for example a spreadsheet or content like maps or data is not likely to benefit.

Local dimming: Some LCD panels with direct LED may support local dimming so the LED’s are dimmed in response to the image close to them. This will not be at the same resolution as the LCD panel itself but will help greater contrast over the display by enhancing the brightness in bright areas of the image and darkening the image in dark parts of the image.

For the LCD monitor manufacturer it is important to consider that any covering over the LCD panel will reduce the brightness. For example the protective glass over a digital signage display, or a touch screen, or a semi-silvered mirror. So if a specific brightness is required the measurement should be taken with these in place.

There are various relatively low cost brightness meters available, typically in the couple of hundred dollars range. It is difficult to comment on the accuracy of these but we have found them to be within 5% of each other, though more importantly they do appear to be quite consistent in measurement so good for measurement comparisons. For more accurate measurement there are light meters from companies such as Minolta that can be calibrated, the cost may run into several thousand dollars.

Examples of light meters costing a few hundred dollars include SpyderX by Datacolor (needs a PC), a handheld meter is the SM208 by Sanpometer (search SM208 meter). Note: Many light meters, including smartphone apps, will be meters used for photography and not give readings in nits (or candelas). LCD panel specifications are typically measured using nits.

PWM and Analog: Most Digital View LCD controllers support PWM and Analog as a method for adjusting the backlight brightness level (this is noted in the column headed “Other” on the controller board summary table: https://www.digitalview.com/controllers/lcd-controllers-home.html. Also see https://www.digitalview.com/blog/brightness-adjustment/ for a guide to using a dial or slider type variable resistor to adjust the backlight.

DPMS (Display Power Management System): The backlight will be automatically turned off after a period if there is no valid video signal being received.

Ambient light sensor: The backlight is adjusted for brightness or powered off depending on ambient light conditions. This uses a light sensor attached to the LCD controller board, see https://www.digitalview.com/blog/light-sensor-app-note/ for more details.

The specifics of the backlight control are documented separately for each LCD controller model (product summary here) in the product manual available for download on the product page.

Note: There are two ways to adjust the perceived brightness of a LCD panel or LCD monitor, the backlight and the black-level. Very often, particularly in the past, the monitor brightness setting adjusted the black-level, this adjusts the LCD but not the backlight.

Color, color temperature etc: In addition to adjusting the brightness other settings may be adjusted as well. For example the color temperature or for example a switch to green monochrome for night vision.

Night-safe lighting (update) : Dual-rail backlights can also be supported. These special backlight enable normal brightness and extreme low level brightness with custom night-safe lighting. Contact us for details.

Note: We have a blog on methods for implementing an ambient light sensor with Digital View LCD controller boards to automatically adjust the backlight or system power, see: Ambient Light Sensor

Update March 2019: Most of the above remains unchanged except for the increased availability of high bright LCD panels of around the 1,000 nit to 2,500 nit range. AUO for example has a number of large size LCD panels with 1,500 nit brightness for the digital signage market. Tianma has panels under 20″ with 1,000 nit to 1,500 nit brightness for various outdoor applications.

The other change is that high bright panels are now increasing edge-lit, this makes the panels thinner and these panels tend to use less power than the previous models. One of the benefits for monitor designers is easier heat management and reduced overall display system costs.

The LCD technology used eliminates picture geometry distortions and color spots. The monitor delivers flicker-free images, even at low refresh rates (60 Hz). In addition, IPS technology guarantees improved contrast values and significantly higher viewing angle stability. The result is a device that meets the highest ergonomic requirements.

The monitor’s default blue color location can be adjusted to individual requirements using a color slider. This enables color adjustment in the field such as when replacing a monitor. The adjustment can be performed via the On Screen Display (OSD) without external tools such as a luminance meter or calibration software.

The adjustable LUT makes it possible for LUT recalculations to be initiated manually. Within this recalculation the gamma model, luminance settings, or color parameters can be modified. The LUT is calculated via OSD menu without having to access external calibration software. The reset LUT is calculated immediately, saved in the device, and used immediately for image display. This provides the user with the ability to establish the user LUT individually without using luminance meter.

The optimum screen resolution is 1280 x 1024 pixels. Video signals with other resolutions, common in medical technology, are automatically adapted to the screen size. Alternatively they can be displayed in original size (1:1).

An integrated brightness sensor, using EIZO fully automated brightness control, ensures fast luminance stabilization during system start and compensates for fluctuations that occur in the course of operation due to differing ambient temperatures.

By utilizing an energy-efficient LED as a backlight, the monitor achieves a high-brightness and low power consumption at the same time. In contrast to conventional CCFL technology, LED backlighting offers a longer monitor lifespan, is free of hazardous materials, and is therefore compliant with current environmental regulations.

Planar® CarbonLight™ VX Series is comprised of carbon fiber-framed indoor LED video wall and floor displays with exceptional on-camera visual properties and deployment versatility, available in 1.9 and 2.6mm pixel pitch (wall) and 2.6mm (floor).

From cinema content to motion-based digital art, Planar® Luxe MicroLED Displays offer a way to enrich distinctive spaces. HDR support and superior dynamic range create vibrant, high-resolution canvases for creative expression and entertainment. Leading-edge MicroLED technology, design adaptability and the slimmest profiles ensure they seamlessly integrate with architectural elements and complement interior décor.

From cinema content to motion-based digital art, Planar® Luxe Displays offer a way to enrich distinctive spaces. These professional-grade displays provide vibrant, high-resolution canvases for creative expression and entertainment. Leading-edge technology, design adaptability and the slimmest profiles ensure they seamlessly integrate with architectural elements and complement interior decor.

From cinema content to motion-based digital art, Planar® Luxe MicroLED Displays offer a way to enrich distinctive spaces. HDR support and superior dynamic range create vibrant, high-resolution canvases for creative expression and entertainment. Leading-edge MicroLED technology, design adaptability and the slimmest profiles ensure they seamlessly integrate with architectural elements and complement interior décor.

Planar® CarbonLight™ VX Series is comprised of carbon fiber-framed indoor LED video wall and floor displays with exceptional on-camera visual properties and deployment versatility, available in 1.9 and 2.6mm pixel pitch (wall) and 2.6mm (floor).

Carbon fiber-framed indoor LED video wall and floor displays with exceptional on-camera visual properties and deployment versatility for various installations including virtual production and extended reality.

a line of extreme and ultra-narrow bezel LCD displays that provides a video wall solution for demanding requirements of 24x7 mission-critical applications and high ambient light environments

Since 1983, Planar display solutions have benefitted countless organizations in every application. Planar displays are usually front and center, dutifully delivering the visual experiences and critical information customers need, with proven technology that is built to withstand the rigors of constant use.

If you are having difficulty reading the information displayed on the LCD, try changing the contrast setting. Adjusting the contrast will give the information a sharper and more vivid appearance.

Engineers are always looking for lower cost, faster, more convenient interfaces to transmit signals and to accept data and commands. The numbers of available interfaces available in the market can be dazzling. Orient Display can also convert any interfaces to the customer’s requirements among the above interfaces or to higher level interfaces.

Genetic (Raw) Interfaces: Those are the interfaces which display or touch controller manufacturers provide, including 6800,8080, SPI(,Serial Peripheral Interface), I2C, RGB (Red Green Blue), MIPI (Mobile Industry Processor Interface), LVDS (Low-Voltage Differential Signaling), eDP ( Embedded DisplayPort) etc. Orient Display has technologies to make the above interface exchangeable.

High Level Interfaces: Orient Display has technologies to make more advanced interfaces which are more convenient to non-display engineers, such as RS232, RS485, USB, VGA, HDMI etc. They are widely accepted in the market. More information can be found on our other product pages. TFT modules, Arduino TFT display, Raspberry Pi TFT display, Control Board.

Orient Display sunlight readable TFT displays can be categorized into high brightness TFT displays,high contrast IPS displays, transflective TFT displays, Blanview TFT displays etc.

The brightness of our standard high brightness TFT displays can be from 700 to 1000 nits which make them be visible under all environments including direct sunlight. With proper adding 3M brightness enhancement film (BEF) and double brightness enhancement film (DBEF) and adjustment of the LED chips, Orient Display high brightness TFT products can achieve 1,500 to 2,000 nits or even higher luminance which makes great contrast under direct sunlight. Orient Display has a special thermal management design to reduce the heat release and largely extend LED lifetime and reduce energy consumption.

Our high contrast and wide viewing angle IPS displays can achieve contrast ratio higher than 1000:1 which can make readability under strong sunlight with lower backlight luminance. High brightness IPS displays have been widely accepted by our customers with its superb display quality and it has become one of the best sellers in all our display category.

Transflective display is an old monochrome display technology but it has been utilized in our color TFT line for sunlight readable application. Orient Display has 2.4” and 3.5” to choose from.

Blanview TFT displays are the new technology developed by Ortustech in Japan. It can provide around 40% of energy consumption for TFT panels which can use smaller rechargeable or disposable batteries and generate less heat. The price is also lower than traditional transflective TFT displays. Orient Display is partnering with the technology inventor to provide 4.3” and 5.0” .

Orient Display can also provide fullcustomized or part customized solutions for our customers to enhance the viewing experience. Orient Display can provide all the different kinds of surface treatments, such as AR (Anti-reflection); AG (Anti-glare), AF (Anti-finger print or Anti-smudge); AS (Anti-smashing); AM (Anti-microbial) etc. Orient Display can also provide both dry bonding (OCA, Optical Clear Adhesive), or wet bonding (OCR, Optical Clear Resin and OCG, Optical Clear Glue) to get rid of light reflective in air bonding products to make the products much more readable under sunlight and be more robust.

Touch panels have been a much better human machine interface which become widely popular. Orient Display has been investing heavy for capacitive touch screen sensor manufacturing capacity. Now, Orient Display factory is No.1 in the world for automotive capacitive touch screen which took around 18% market share in the world automotive market.

Based on the above three types of touch panel technology, Orient Display can also add different kinds of features like different material glove touch, water environment touch, salt water environment touch, hover touch, 3D (force) touch, haptic touch etc. Orient Display can also provide from very low cost fixed area button touch, single (one) finger touch, double finger (one finger+ one gesture) touch, 5 finger touch, 10 points touch or even 16 points touch

Considering the different shapes of the touch surface requirements, Orient Display can produce different shapes of 2D touch panel (rectangle, round, octagon etc.), or 2.5D touch screen (round edge and flat surface) or 3D (totally curved surface) touch panel.

Considering different strength requirements, Orient Display can provide low cost chemical tampered soda-lime glass, Asahi (AGC) Dragontrail glass and Corning high end Gorilla glass. With different thickness requirement, Orient Display can provide the thinnest 0.5mm OGS touch panel, to thickness more than 10mm tempered glass to prevent vandalizing, or different kinds of plastic touch panel to provide glass piece free (fear) or flexible substrates need.

Of course, Orient Display can also offer traditional RTP (Resistive Touch Panel) of 4-wire, 5-wire, 8-wire through our partners, which Orient Display can do integration to resistive touch screen displays.

Marvel designed Outdoor Digital Display Boards. It uses all aluminum material as outer shell. which make high display boards with good heat dissipation. For the structure, it comes with mosaic structure that has high reliability. And it equipes with extra tiny bezel, it only has 1.6cm for bezel, Thickness is only with 8.5cm size. In another hand,high brightness outdoor lcd display panel has 2500-5000nits of brightness , it is using DLED backlight technology, which makes it with good heat dissipation, high brightness LCD Displayand low power consumption.Besides, the High Brightness LCD is able to keep brightness constant for 5 years at least if using marvel control system. For the quality, Marvel has their own dust-free room where it produce high brightness outdoor advertising signage . And Marvelhas their own quality control department, the QC stuff will check all functions and hardware details for income material . And they also do inspection for all products before shipment , then they signed a form . If there’s any problem, Marvel after sales team will reply you in 24 hours working days,they check the details info according to the sliver sticker attached in the products, So they will know the shipment date and be able to check the all bom list , inspection list for the products, So that they can do the after-sales service. If it’s confirmed there’s any components broken or not working under normal using within warranty, And Marvel team will send out the spare parts for replacement totally for free. We are not boasting, cause Marvel company also has been invested by Shenzhen government . We are not only for us but also standing for Shenzhen government, that’s why we have good reputation in business.

Recently I was looking for a cheap 16×2 LCD, and I found several interesting models on eBay that come with great price. I purchased one with blue backlight. The total is only $3.49 including shipping. The product was shipped from Hong Kong, so it took about 2 weeks to arrive. Here are two images of the front and the back:

One downside is that the back LED is a bit noticeable (see the glow on the right edge of the display); also, the text will be almost completely invisible if the LED is turned off, so the LED has to remain on, consuming more power.

Making it work with Arduino is straightforward by following the LiquidCrystal example. I made small changes to the pin assignment. Here is what I did: LCD RS, Enable, D4, D5, D5, D6 pins are connected to Arduino pin 12, 11, 8, 7, 6, 5 respectively. Normally the display contrast (V0) pin of the LCD is connected to a potentiometer in order to adjust the contrast voltage. After some experiment, I found that the desirable voltage is about 0.65V, which can be supplied by the forward bias voltage of a standard diode, such as 1N4148.

In order to control the back LED brightness, I made use of a transistor (2N3904) and Arduino’s PWM (pulse width modulation) to adjust the effective voltage supplied to the LED. The transistor serves as a current sink, and its base is connected to Arduino pin 10 to apply PWM control. This is very standard design, refer to the schematic below. With this, I can easily control the brightness of the backlight. Just to demonstrate it, I wrote a simple program based on the Scroll example provided in Arduino. The program scrolls text left and right, meanwhile I use a timer interrupt to brighten and dim the backlight. See the video below.

Some ghosting artifacts are noticeable as the words move left and right. The video probably exemplified them, the actual LCD looks better than the video.

Update: It’s ok to connect Arduino pin 10 directly with LED- or LED+ to supply the PWM signal without using a transistor. Arduino’s I/O pins can source or sink more than 20mA of current, which is sufficient to drive the backlight LED. Other microcontrollers might not be able to do so directly from their I/O pins.

In summary, this is an decent and inexpensive LCD, which works nicely with Arduino. Right now it occupies 7 Arduino pins (1 of them has to support PWM), but this number can be reduced to 3 by using a shift register. The schematic and source code for the example program are attached below. Comments and suggestions are welcome!

I bought a cheap ($12) 3.5 inch LCD screen from ebay and it worked fine with the waveshare35a and the builtin piscreen overlays - including touch events. But one thing I could not do was control brightness.

The fix was easy and required only 2 components - 2N4401 (or any other comparable NPN transistor) and a 10k resistor. But the tricky part was removing the connection from 3.3v to common anode of backlight. I used a hobby knife to remove the trace which is under the board - right where C1 meets 3.3V. Will add a picture next time I open up the LCD module.

Swap out the transflective polarizer with a transmissive polarizer. This increases the brightness without increasing the amount of power necessary or decreasing the half-life of the LEDs. The one downside is the display will be a bit more difficult to read when the back light is off, but it is still readable.

Every monochrome display with a LED back light contains a current limiting resistor. The lower the resistor value, the higher the current draw. Hence the brighter the back light. The down side is the back light draws more power (not always good for battery powered products) and it reduces the half-life of the LED back light.