What does 'Active-Matrix' mean?

Active-matrix is a type of display technology that is used in many electronic devices, such as laptops, smartphones, and televisions. It is called an “active-matrix” because it uses active components such as transistors to control the flow of electricity through the display.

In an active-matrix display, each pixel on the screen is made up of three sub-pixels (red, green, and blue), and each sub-pixel has its own transistor. This allows each pixel to be independently controlled, which allows for higher resolution and faster refresh rates than passive-matrix displays.

Active-matrix displays are also more energy efficient than passive-matrix displays.

There are two main types of active-matrix displays: thin-film transistors (TFT) and organic light-emitting diodes (OLED). TFT displays are commonly used in LCD (liquid crystal display) screens, while OLED displays use organic materials to produce their own light, which allows for thinner and more flexible screens.

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Because active-matrix displays use active components to control the flow of electricity through the display, they are able to provide individual control of each pixel on the screen. This allows for more even brightness and color across the screen compared to passive-matrix displays.

In a passive-matrix display, the pixels are controlled by a grid of conductive lines that intersect at each pixel. These lines are used to apply an electric field to the pixels, which causes the pixels to change color.

However, because the pixels are not individually controlled, passive-matrix displays tend to have slower refresh rates and lower resolutions than active-matrix displays. They also tend to have more noticeable “ghosting” effects, where the image appears to trail behind fast-moving objects.

Active-matrix displays, on the other hand, use active components such as transistors to control the flow of electricity through the display. This allows for higher resolution and faster refresh rates, as well as more even brightness and color across the screen. Active-matrix displays are commonly used in laptops, smartphones, and televisions.