{"id":2638,"date":"2024-02-26T12:24:39","date_gmt":"2024-02-26T04:24:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/?p=2638"},"modified":"2026-03-27T18:39:57","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T10:39:57","slug":"lcd-vs-epaper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/en\/blog\/lcd-vs-epaper\/","title":{"rendered":"LCD vs IRIS's E-Paper: Which One Should You Use?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph translation-block\">The LCD became the dominant color display technology in TVs, laptops, mobile phones, and signage for its light-weight, vivid-color features. As the imminent need to reduce carbon emissions is upon us, and the 2050 carbon-neutral target creeps closer, the color display industry needs to move toward a <a href=\"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/en\/blog\/zero-emission-chlcd-display\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2611\" target=\"_self\">sustainable, low-emission display technology<\/a>. So the color e-paper becomes the most environmentally-friendly alternative to LCD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We share the differences between LCD and ChLCD e-paper, so you can choose the most energy-saving and sustainable color display.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How LCD works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An LCD is usually made of backlight, vertical and horizontal polarizers, color filters, and liquid crystals. The backlight module provides a light source to the display, the liquid crystals throttle the light passing through the two polarizers to create different grayscales. Then the color filters mix the light into different colors.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column2638_f1d820-ed{max-width:735px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;}.wp-block-kadence-column.kb-section-dir-horizontal:not(.kb-section-md-dir-vertical)>.kt-inside-inner-col>.kadence-column2638_f1d820-ed{-webkit-flex:0 1 735px;flex:0 1 735px;max-width:unset;margin-left:unset;margin-right:unset;}.kadence-column2638_f1d820-ed > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);}.kadence-column2638_f1d820-ed > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column2638_f1d820-ed > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column2638_f1d820-ed > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column2638_f1d820-ed > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column2638_f1d820-ed > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column2638_f1d820-ed > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column2638_f1d820-ed{position:relative;}@media all and (min-width: 1025px){.wp-block-kadence-column.kb-section-dir-horizontal>.kt-inside-inner-col>.kadence-column2638_f1d820-ed{-webkit-flex:0 1 735px;flex:0 1 735px;max-width:unset;margin-left:unset;margin-right:unset;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column2638_f1d820-ed > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-column.kb-section-sm-dir-vertical:not(.kb-section-sm-dir-horizontal):not(.kb-section-sm-dir-specificity)>.kt-inside-inner-col>.kadence-column2638_f1d820-ed{max-width:735px;-webkit-flex:1;flex:1;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;}.kadence-column2638_f1d820-ed > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column2638_f1d820-ed\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"LCD Monitor Teardown\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jiejNAUwcQ8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When R, G, B subpixels mix together perfectly, the LCD can reveal more than 16 million colors, creating vivid color displays in mobile phones, TVs and laptops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How ChLCD color e-paper works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph translation-block\"><a href=\"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/en\/products\/full-color-chlcd\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"307\" target=\"_self\">Cholesteric liquid crystal (ChLCD) e-paper<\/a> has three layers of displays that reflect red, green, and blue respectively. The electric field alters the rotation of the liquid crystals that is bistable between the two states:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The planar state has the liquid crystal particles lined up uniformly to reflect specific wavelengths of light, to form unique colors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The focal conic state lines up the liquid crystal particles in a way to let light pass through, displaying the colors underneath.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image2638_a4a652-12.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image2638_a4a652-12 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:600px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image2638_a4a652-12.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image2638_a4a652-12 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image2638_a4a652-12 figure{max-width:600px;}.kb-image2638_a4a652-12 .image-is-svg, .kb-image2638_a4a652-12 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image2638_a4a652-12 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image2638_a4a652-12\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"735\" height=\"551\" src=\"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/different-colors-of-ChLCD-735px-min.png\" alt=\"ChLCD wavelength segment visible to the human eye\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-1044\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/different-colors-of-ChLCD-735px-min.png 735w, https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/different-colors-of-ChLCD-735px-min-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 735px) 100vw, 735px\" \/><figcaption>Altering the ChLCD particles on different layers to fully reflect light (white), partial reflection (gray), or no reflection (black).<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph translation-block\">A <a href=\"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/en\/blog\/how-color-epaper-works\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1023\" target=\"_self\">ChLCD can display more than 16 million colors<\/a>, same as an LCD, by controlling the reflectance of RGB layers separately. So ChLCDs are as vibrant in color as LCD screens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Advantages of LCD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The LCD technology has the following advantages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The display's own backlight provides high contrast in a dim environment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The fast response time means an LCD can refresh at greater than 60 Hz to play videos.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So LCDs are found in most consumer electronic screens, such as mobile phones, laptops, monitors and TVs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Advantages of ChLCD color e-paper<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are the advantages of ChLCD color e-paper:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The ChLCD is bistable in nature, so it only uses power during refreshes. It requires no power to maintain a static image.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its reflective nature means the display contrast is greater in a brighter environment, which means the image is clearly visible under the sun.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The display does not have a light source, so it does not direct blue light into the eyes when viewing. It is safer for the eyes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"translation-block\">While most ambient light is reflected off ChLCD, about 10-30% of the light is absorbed by the bottom layer. So an embedded solar module at the bottom of ChLCD can generate renewable energy to create a <a href=\"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/en\/products\/infinity-display\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"309\" target=\"_self\">zero-emission Infinity Display<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image2638_025193-8f.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image2638_025193-8f .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:600px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image2638_025193-8f.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image2638_025193-8f .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image2638_025193-8f figure{max-width:600px;}.kb-image2638_025193-8f .image-is-svg, .kb-image2638_025193-8f .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image2638_025193-8f .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image2638_025193-8f\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"735\" height=\"413\" src=\"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/infinity-display-structure-735px-min.png\" alt=\"Infinity Display trichromatic light wavelength principle\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-1050\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/infinity-display-structure-735px-min.png 735w, https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/infinity-display-structure-735px-min-300x169.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 735px) 100vw, 735px\" \/><figcaption>Use solar cells to replace the backsheet of the ChLCD to generate electricity from ambient light.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph translation-block\">Therefore, ChLCD e-paper is suitable for eye-friendly <a href=\"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/en\/applications\/art-education\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"323\" target=\"_self\">ebook readers<\/a> and sustainable screens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">LCD vs e-paper in indoor color performance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">LCD's backlight comes in handy indoors to provide high-contrast images, but it has trouble competing with the brightness of the sun outdoors. So LCDs usually look dim on a sunny day. Color e-paper reflects ambient light to form images, hence it looks brighter in a brighter environment, performing the best under the sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We used a light meter to calibrate different LED light sources and see the differences in visibility for LCD and color e-paper. We also set the iPad at the brightest setting for this experiment.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image2638_74e435-91 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image2638_74e435-91\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"1013\" src=\"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/lcd-vs-epaper-led-light-source_600-px.jpg\" alt=\"lcd vs e-paper image contrast under different led brightness\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-2645\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/lcd-vs-epaper-led-light-source_600-px.jpg 600w, https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/lcd-vs-epaper-led-light-source_600-px-178x300.jpg 178w, https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/lcd-vs-epaper-led-light-source_600-px-7x12.jpg 7w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption>Image contrast of LCD and ChLCD e-paper with LED brightness from 1,000 lx to 10,000 lx.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">LCD's images were more visible at low light (less than 5,000 lx) conditions, while the color e-paper looked better when reflecting a brighter LED light (greater than 5,000 lx).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">LCD vs e-paper color performance in sunlight<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When we placed the two screens in direct sunlight, the window-facing setting (20,000 lx) and partially cloudly outdoor (75,000 lx), the iPad's backlight was overpowered by the sun, with hardly any visible detail.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image2638_6ce004-e4 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image2638_6ce004-e4\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/lcd-vs-epaper-sunlight_600-px.jpg\" alt=\"lcd vs e-paper under different sunlight brightness\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-2646\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/lcd-vs-epaper-sunlight_600-px.jpg 600w, https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/lcd-vs-epaper-sunlight_600-px-267x300.jpg 267w, https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/lcd-vs-epaper-sunlight_600-px-11x12.jpg 11w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption>Image contrast of LCD and ChLCD e-paper with the sun's brightness from 20,000 lx to 75,000 lx.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph translation-block\">On the other hand, the ChLCD screen exceled at reflecting the sunlight to form vivid colors, making it an ideal technology for <a href=\"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/en\/applications\/retail-living\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"321\" target=\"_self\">outdoor signage<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">LCD vs e-paper in power consumption<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Compared to a TV with 300 nits, an outdoor LCD usually needs more than 3,000 nits in brightness to be visible in the sun, so outdoor displays usually consume 3 times as much energy to operate as TVs.  If a 55\" outdoor display uses ChLCD instead, and refreshes an image every 5 minutes, the e-paper display only uses less than 1% of the LCD's rated power.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image2638_fed9f1-ae.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image2638_fed9f1-ae .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:600px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image2638_fed9f1-ae.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image2638_fed9f1-ae .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image2638_fed9f1-ae figure{max-width:600px;}.kb-image2638_fed9f1-ae .image-is-svg, .kb-image2638_fed9f1-ae .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image2638_fed9f1-ae .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image2638_fed9f1-ae\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"735\" height=\"297\" src=\"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/ChLCD-vs-signage-consumption-min.png\" alt=\"ChLCD vs signage consumption\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-2627\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/ChLCD-vs-signage-consumption-min.png 735w, https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/ChLCD-vs-signage-consumption-min-300x121.png 300w, https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/ChLCD-vs-signage-consumption-min-18x7.png 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 735px) 100vw, 735px\" \/><figcaption>Energy consumption between LCD and ChLCD e-paper.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph translation-block\">Combining the above pros and cons, LCDs are more suitable for playing videos indoors, while ChLCD e-papers are better options for color ebook readers and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.3rgit.com\/Products\/Product\/32-Inch_RLCD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">outdoor energy-saving digital signage<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you would like to know more about color e-paper applications, please get in touch with us.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>LCD\u6db2\u6676\u986f\u793a\u5668\u64c1\u6709\u8f15\u8584\u3001\u5f69\u8272\u7b49\u512a\u52e2\uff0c\u662f\u73fe\u5728\u5f69\u8272\u986f\u793a\u5668\u7684\u4e3b\u6d41\u6280\u8853\uff0c\u5f9e\u96fb\u8996\u3001\u7b46\u96fb\u3001\u624b\u6a5f\u3001\u5ee3\u544a\u770b\u677f\uff0c\u96a8\u8655\u53ef\u898b\u5230LC&#8230;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2669,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2638","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-product"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":10,"label":"\u96fb\u5b50\u7d19\u7522\u54c1"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/lcd-vs-epaper-1024x596.jpg",1024,596,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"elv","author_link":"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/en\/author\/elv\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":10,"name":"\u96fb\u5b50\u7d19\u7522\u54c1","slug":"product","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":10,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":11,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":10,"category_count":11,"category_description":"","cat_name":"\u96fb\u5b50\u7d19\u7522\u54c1","category_nicename":"product","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2638","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2638"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2638\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2669"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2638"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2638"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iris-opt.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2638"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}