LCD supports terrestrial DTV quality in handsets

Sharp has succeeded in developing a new LCD for mobile devices like cellphones. The new LCD features a 2,000:1 contrast ration, said to be the industry's highest, a viewing angle of 176° and an 8ms response time.

One-Seg-compatible mobile phones are capable of receiving terrestrial DTV broadcasts. The total number of shipments of such phones is expected to surpass 10 million in Japan this year. Because a similar broadcasting service has already started in Europe and the United States, demand for handsets able to receive DTV broadcasting is expected to increase.

By fusing a proprietary, high-resolution liquid-crystal-system technology with a high-quality display technology cultivated through the development of its AQUOS LCD TVs, Sharp was able to develop this new LCD for mobile devices that delivers image quality similar to that of LCD TVs, enabling users to see clearer, more colorful images than is possible on conventional mobile equipment.

The company is scheduled to ship samples of the new LCDs for One-Seg-compatible mobile phones later this year. Sharp will then use the new LCDs to expand its lineup of mobile phones and to further develop the application of these new LCDs in digital cameras.