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The flat panel market, LCDs in particular, has experienced tremendous growth over the past several months, and the products themselves, particularly from the major manufacturers, have improved in quality as well. Many manufacturers have focused their picture efforts on developing 120Hz technologies to eliminate some of the motion blur issues associated with LCD TVs, while others have worked to slim down the overall footprint of the products for a more aesthetic appeal. Dolby Laboratories, known primarily for its industry-changing audio technologies, has now taken a step into the video world with its latest product, Dolby High Dynamic Range Technologies.
What is Dolby HDR?
Dolby HDR is a new technology from Dolby Laboratories that utilizes LED backlights on LCD TVs to create an image with a higher dynamic range and higher contrast ratio.
How does it work?
The system uses an array of individually-addressed LEDs behind the liquid crystal panel. Each LED is controlled individually in concert with the image signal so that less light will be produced for darker portions of the screen while more light is produced for brighter portions of the screen.
Which products is it meant for?
Dolby HDR is designed for LCD flat panel displays. Because plasma displays do not incorporate a backlight, Dolby HDR technology would not apply.
How does it differ from current LCD TV technologies?
Most current LCD TVs utilize Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps which light up the entire LCD panel 100 percent of the time regardless of the displayed image. Dolby HDR relies on LEDs which are restricted to specific regions of the display and only light when needed by the image. The LEDs can be either high brightness white or tri-color (red, blue, green). To date, the technology has only been applied to white LEDs.
What’s wrong with CCFL displays?
Traditional LCD TVs with cold cathode fluorescent lamps can produce low contrast ratios due to the fact that the entire panel is lit up fully 100 percent of the time. The liquid crystals are not able to completely filter out all of the back light and allow some light to leak through. In addition, a CCFL display’s power consumption remains constant no matter how bright or dark the displayed image is. CCFLs contain some mercury, making them less “green” than LED-based displays.
What are its primary benefits?
The primary benefits of Dolby HDR and LED displays in general are increased contrast, increased dynamic range and reduced power consumption. The contrast or black level of CCFL LCD TVs can be perceptively improved by dimming the backlight, but that affects the entire screen and reduces the overall dynamic range.
When will product with Dolby HDR be available?
So far we have only seen products as technology demonstrations (from SIM2). We’ll keep you informed as we learn more.
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