12th Oct 2023
What’s the deal with OLED Monitors – And why is FALD the next best alternative?
The filmmaking industry constantly strives to improve visual quality. When it comes to choosing the right monitor for production, an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) panel has mostly been the gold standard for their superior image quality, true black colours, high colour accuracy and its lightweight mass. However, OLED technology is slowly becoming scarce for this industry. In this blog we’ll discuss why this is the case, and why FALD (Full-Array Local Dimming) is a compelling alternative.
Although OLED is a matured technology, the cost of a high-end OLED monitor for production significantly sets a strain on a studios budget, limiting their adoption. Because of this, manufacturers have opted to manufacture products with OLED technology in the consumer market, like phones, televisions etc, limiting supply for the filmmaking industry.
Besides this limitation, OLED displays are susceptible to burn-in, where static images left on a screen for extended periods may leave permanent ghosting, and generally have a shorter lifespan.
FALD (Full Array Local Dimming) is a technology commonly used in LED-backlit LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitors and televisions to enhance their picture quality, primarily improving contract and black levels by dynamically controlling the brightness of individual zones (2400 zones, with 1000 nits of brightness), or groups of LEDs located behind the LCD panel.
FALD monitors work as follows:
- Full Array: The backlighting consists of an array of LEDs positioned behind the LCD panel. This array is extensive and provides more localised control over the illumination of the screen compared to traditional edge-lit displays.
- Local Dimming: The monitor can independently adjust the brightness of specific zones or groups of LEDs on the display. When a part of the screen needs to display a dark image or area, the LEDs behind that section are dimmed or turned off, resulting in deeper blacks and improved contract in that specific area.
FALD is a technology that can provide an alternative to OLED monitors. FALD, used in LED-backlit LCD displays, offer these key advantages:
- Improved Contrast Ratios
- Reduced Risk of Burn-In with FALD LCD panels.
- Longer Life Span than OLED, reducing maintenance and replacement costs.
- Competitive Price: FALD displays are generally more affordable than OLED, making them accessible to a broader range of professionals.
While OLED monitors undeniably offer superb image quality, these are some practical challenges that professionals are facing, prompting them to explore alternative solutions, with FALD LCD technology contending as a competent viable choice for many studios.
Check out the SmallHD Vision 17" 4K HDR Monitor, the perfect alternative with a FALD LCD panel that boasts over 2,400 zones, with 1,000 nits of brightness.