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1. Adrian Cochrane (alcinnz@floss.social)'s status on Thursday, 02-Mar-2023 07:30:16 JST Adrian Cochrane

   Yesterday I started describing how computer graphics work by discussing some of the early techniques. Today: What are the devices we're outputting through to reach our eyes? For those of us who have working ones.

   I described Cathode Ray Tubes yesterday, which were refined to support colour by adding a "colour mask" to filter outgoing light & (unless you're Sony) additional electron guns. We often still output images in the format these CRTs expect!

   1/3?

   • Adrian Cochrane (alcinnz@floss.social)'s status on Thursday, 02-Mar-2023 08:24:59 JST Adrian Cochrane

     in reply to

     Appliances have long used Twisted Crystal displays since these barely require any computer graphics software. Instead we print icons on them in transparent conductive material, & such that where it's exposed to a current the "twisted crystal" (un)blocks "polarized" light passing through.

     Often it rapidly cycles between icon rows or columns.

     This tech miniaturised to surpass CRTs as the main display technology due to their thinness, adding an LED or plasma backlight. Though CRTs fought.

     2/3?

   • Adrian Cochrane (alcinnz@floss.social)'s status on Thursday, 02-Mar-2023 08:29:44 JST Adrian Cochrane

     in reply to

     Nowadays most amount to write-only analog RAM from an electronic perspective. Most are based on that LCD tech, though others are made from material which emit light directly when exposed to a current. Without needing to manufacture millions of independent LEDs.

     Then again I have seen massive low-res advertising screens made of independent LEDs!

     LEDs are diodes made of Gallium which emits light. Light-Emitting Diodes.

     3/3 Fin for today!