LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)

One of the main technologies used in flat-screen TVs. LCD consists of a panel of liquid crystal shutters over a backlight that are capable of either allowing the light through or stopping it. LCD allows remarkably intense colours, and is more economical with power than a plasma TV. It's weakness is in its black levels, as the liquid crystal is never completely able to stop all the light coming through. To improve the contrast, some LCD TVs dim the backlight in dark scenes or, in newer, very expesive models with LED backlights, dim parts of the backlight.

For more information, return to the HDTV glossary introduction.