NEC creates tiny, full HD-compatible LCD module

It looks like your cellphone display (and camcorder viewfinder) resolution is about to get significantly higher in the near-future, thanks to NEC and its crack team of super nerds. The company today announced that it had developed a 2.7-inch LCD module which delivers a resolution of 960 x 540, thanks to a super high pixel density of 413 pixels-per-inch. The quarter high-definition (QHD) panel is compatible with full HD resolution, and sees a boost in both the color gamut and luminance. Sure, it all sounds a bit dry on paper, but when you're noticing just how bad local reporters look in HD on your phone, you're going to thank NEC.

[Tony C @ Apr 21st 2008 10:54AM]

Not really "full HD" if it's only 960x540, now is it?

I believe that moniker requires it to be a "full" 1920x1280 pixels -- this one isn't even 1280x720...

[Tony C @ Apr 21st 2008 10:58AM]

Wow. Must be too early in the morning, I'm mixing things up. "Full HD" is supposed to be 1920x1080.

Is "full HD compatible" going to be like all the old and horrible "HD Ready" and "HD Capable" marketing schemes?

[Chebwa @ Apr 21st 2008 10:59AM]

I think maybe they mean it will take a 1080 signal, downgrade it and display it. To what end, who knows.

[Wwhat @ Apr 21st 2008 11:38AM]

The whole line "The quarter high-definition (QHD) panel is compatible with full HD resolution" is just total BS as far as I can make out, makes no sense and is just padding the bit of writing.
You can scale 'full HD' on ANY display, since it's not the display that does the scaling, so that can't be it surely.

[packetsniffer @ Apr 21st 2008 12:10PM]

Yeah, this is Engadget. Go figure.

[Kakkoii @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:14AM]

Yeah, this particular one isn't full HD..

But that not what this is about.. This is about creating high resolution in small space.

It's only 2.7-inches right now..
If they make a 5.4-inch screen, it will be full HD 1920x1080

Don't you think that's HOLY FUCKING SMALL for full HD?

That is a good PMP sized screen.. Something I'd expect on an Archos product. Full HD in your pocket..That is what this is about :).

[ron1n @ Apr 21st 2008 10:56AM]

is that CHDK I see!?

Open source frimware ftw!

[View Finder @ Apr 21st 2008 10:58AM]

HUD anyone?

[Kururugi Suzaku @ Apr 21st 2008 12:12PM]

To be honest pixel density means a lot more than resolution.

[Sam Zebian @ Apr 21st 2008 12:16PM]

Not necessarily...The Zune's screen is still 320x240, but it's pixel density isn't as good as the Ipod's, yet the screen still looks better... I guess it depends on the screen.

[Lowest Ranked @ Apr 21st 2008 3:06PM]

I'm sorry Sam, but as a loyal Zune user and Microsoft supporter, I must say I disagree with your statement.

In terms of same resolution range, any device with a higher pixel density, or so, smaller screen will display a sharper image.

Its equivilant to standing 4 feet in front of the Jumbotron at the game and then looking at your cellphone's 320x240 running at the same resolution.

On that note, Zune's screen still looks damn good!

[maveric101 @ Apr 21st 2008 9:13PM]

i'm pretty sure some other company already made a 3" 720p display and a 7" 1080p display several months ago. but i'm too lazy to look it up.

[Sam Zebian @ Apr 21st 2008 12:15PM]

If they made this a little bit bigger, like 3" or 3.2", they should use it in the future generation Zune, that would be so sick, even if it's 720P and not 1080p. Maybe it it's a 3.2" screen they would be able to squeeze in at least 1080i???

[thethirdmoose @ Apr 21st 2008 12:48PM]

That's better than print quality!

[Adam Zey @ Apr 21st 2008 1:04PM]

The name is BS, but being quarter-HD does provide some advantages. It's far easier to scale a 1920x1080 image down to 960x540 than it is to some other arbitrary resolution.

You can actually use nearest neighbour and have it look pretty good, because you've got even-sized pixels; it's fast enough to do in software too. Just copy every other pixel on every other line.

You can also do faster supersampling; just average 2x2 blocks of pixels instead of having to deal with partial pixels and weighted averages.

[Steffen Jobbs @ Apr 21st 2008 1:11PM]

Significantly higher in cost is more like it.

[yui @ Apr 21st 2008 1:22PM]

my goodness
its most likely on Docomo phones, again!
now N905i's LCD is 3 inch, 864 x 480 pixel
it is not too strange to enhanced its resolution to 960 x 540 with a even smaller size...

by the way i just remembered while apple shipped iPhone with its display being the "highest density per inch" ever....
isn't it too low while comparing with this?

[Ethan @ Apr 21st 2008 1:36PM]

Focusing by eye on digital cameras that aren't SLR might get a bit easier.

[Johan S @ Apr 21st 2008 2:35PM]

Half HD sucks!!

no, I'm kidding.

Thanks NEC .. now lets see some products with this!

[Arkenklo @ Apr 26th 2008 4:14PM]

Oh great! I cant wait for that 2560x1600, 10-inch Eee they´ve been talking about!
Wait, what did you said the price was again? Ah well, nevermind.