Most standard TFT display and monitors are rated between 200 and 300 (cd/m²). If it installed indoors, these displays are usually of sufficient brightness to be easily read. But for use in outdoor environment or even direct sunlight, you will find that content on TFT displays with normal brightness is often difficult to read. Reflection is the major reason. It is difficult to read your screen in bright sunlight, as the strong light reflecting off the screen's surface washes out the display.
⋄ The most common brightness for indoor displays: 200 - 300(cd/m²)
⋄ The ideal brightness of LED backlight for outdoor displays : 500 to 1500(cd/m²)
There are many technologies to increase the outdoor viewing ability of an LCD display such as high brightness backlight, transflective LCD, optical bonding and surface treatment. However, each has benefits and drawbacks depending on the specific application.
Increasing the brightness is the most common method to improve readability. High Brightness TFT LCD Module features powerful LED backlights, providing the brightness up to 1,000(cd/m²). Typically, LCD brightness of 800 (cd/m²) or higher is considered sunlight readable, but most sunlight readable displays are 1,000(cd/m²). It is possible to change the display brightness by applying more LED backlights without modifying the size or dimensions of the TFT-LCD. However, adding more backlights result in much greater power consumption and shorter battery life. It's not a perfect solution, but it does help improve the visibility in bright condition.
The other option to enhance visibility is using Transflective TFT Displays. Transflective is a form of LCD that is able to reflect most of the ambient light allowing it to be visible in bright sunlight without using a backlight. It is one of the most flexible solutions as it allows daylight to pass through with lower power consumption in bright environments and readability in any lighting condition.
LCD Modes: Reflective Type vs. Transflective Type vs. Transmissive Type
⋄ LCD Modes: Reflective Type vs. Transflective Type vs. Transmissive Type
Optical bonding decreases light refraction (from both LCD backlight and outside light), thus improves TFT screen's readability. Optical bonding is the process of laminating cover glass or touchscreens to the LCD cell with a layer of resin (Liquid-OCR) or film(Dry-bond process OCA). It enables the connection of the touch sensor, cover glass and display to one unit. One of benefits is to completely fill the air gap and eliminate two reflective surfaces between them.
• Greater durability：It creates an air gap between the LCD cell and the screen glass with air bonding* technology. Full bonding technology filling of the gap prevents this problem from arising and provides high durability for use in factories, or other harsh environments.
*(Air Bonding): During the process of air bonding, the components are bonded to the display by means of a double-sided industrial adhesive.
• Dust & Moisture Protection：Condensation can cause screens to become foggy from moisture that penetrates the air gap. The most obvious benefit of optical bonding technology is that it physically prevents dust and liquid ingress from getting between the glass and LCD.
• Improved contrast ratio： Reducing the light reflections between touchscreen and LCD helps improve the image quality.
• Improved touch experience：A touch panel with optical bonding maintains a more accurate touch response by eliminating air gap between the cover glass and the display.
To further improve readability under direct sunlight, Anti-Reflection and Anti-Glare coating can be applied to the surface reducing ambient light reflectance. AR/AG coatings can be applied directly to an LCD or a substrate material such as a protective cover lens or touch sensor.
• AG(Anti-Glare Coating)：This type of treatment is often described as a matte coating that reduces surface reflection on the front of the LCD panel and softens the direct light source. Therefore, it has some impact on contrast and color vibrancy because of the matte surface.
• AR(Anti-Reflection Coating)：AR (anti-reflective) film can reduce unwanted surface reflections caused by ambient light and enable you to see the screen with great clarity.
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