Car multimedia video receivers have become increasingly popular in recent years, providing drivers and passengers with a variety of entertainment options on the go. One of the most important components of these systems is the screen. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the different types of screens available in car multimedia video receivers and what sets them apart.
The most common type of screen used in car multimedia video receivers is the thin-film-transistor liquid-crystal display (TFT LCD). TFT LCD screens are known for their high resolution and bright, vibrant colors, making them an ideal choice for watching movies or playing video games on the go. They also have a relatively low power consumption, which is important for vehicles where power resources may be limited.
OLED screens are a newer technology that is gaining popularity in car multimedia video receivers. These screens use organic light-emitting diodes to produce bright, high-contrast images that are easy to see even in bright sunlight. OLED screens are also more energy-efficient than TFT LCD screens, making them a good choice for vehicles where power is limited.
LED screens are similar to TFT LCD screens, but they use light-emitting diodes instead of liquid crystals to produce images. LED screens are known for their bright, vivid colors and high contrast ratios, making them an excellent choice for watching movies or playing video games in the car. They are also energy-efficient and have a longer lifespan than other types of screens.
Capacitive touchscreens are becoming increasingly popular in car multimedia video receivers. These screens use the electrical conductivity of the human body to detect touch, making them very responsive and easy to use. Capacitive touchscreens also offer multi-touch capabilities, allowing users to perform pinch-to-zoom gestures or swipe through menus. They are also known for their high-resolution displays and excellent color reproduction.
Resistive touchscreens are the older technology of the two touchscreens, but still used in some car multimedia video receivers. These screens are less responsive than capacitive touchscreens and require more pressure to register touch inputs. Resistive touchscreens are also less accurate, which can make it difficult to use certain apps or features on the car multimedia system.
In conclusion, car multimedia video receivers come in many different forms, and the type of screen used is a crucial component in determining the overall user experience. When selecting a multimedia system, it's important to consider the type of screen used, as well as its size, resolution, and touch capabilities to ensure the best possible experience.
[Image above] An example of a touchscreen display in a car. Touchscreen displays are an increasingly standard feature in new car models, but do the advantages outweigh the safety concerns of distracted driving? Credit: plien, Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Unless you’ve shopped for a new car recently, you may not realize how many cars now use touchscreens instead of physical buttons for basic controls.
The shift toward touchscreens in cars matches what has and is happening in other electronics, including computers, cameras, and information kiosks. However, while the benefits of touchscreens in these applications generally outweigh the drawbacks, the advantage of touchscreens in cars is not so clear—and may cause more safety concerns instead.
The inclusion of digital displays in cars began notably in the 1980s, with the introduction of digital screens that displayed radio frequency.
“These screens were tiny, only an inch or two wide. By the mid-eighties, they were displaying additional information such as fuel consumption and temperature,” an article by The Globe and Mail explains.
By the end of the 1980s, digital screens had grown larger and started displaying navigation information as well, thanks in part to a dead reckoning navigation system developed by Etak. (Car navigation systems based on GPS first appeared in the 1990 Mazda Eunos Cosmo.)
The first touchscreen debuted in 1986, with the Buick Riviera. Unlike contemporary screens that use liquid crystal display technology, the Buick Riviera’s Graphic Control Center used a green-and-black cathode-ray-tube display. However, Buick discontinued the system in 1990 after owners found it onerous and distracting. Other car companies experienced the same pushback, so the technology remained relegated to a small number of high-end, expensive cars.
It wasn’t until the early 2010s that cars began widely featuring touchscreen displays again, a shift largely attributed to the fact consumers now were more comfortable with the technology. Today, touchscreen displays come standard in many new cars—data from IHS Markit says that 82% of vehicles sold in 2019 came with a touchscreen.
In the video below, employees at Five Star Car Stereo in Florida describe two common types of touchscreens used for car radios and demonstrate the difference in performance.
Credit: Five Star Car Stereo, YouTubeJust as smartphones have grown increasingly larger each year, so too have digital displays in cars.
“Having a 10-inch infotainment screen in your car was a big deal around the turn of the last decade,” an autoevolution article says. But now, “Screens smaller than 12.3-inch …. they’re really not that special anymore.”
Some touchscreens of notable size include the 2019 Ram 1500’s 12-inch screen, the Tesla Model 3’s 15-inch screen, and the forthcoming Cadillac Lyriq electric SUV’s 33-inch screen. None of these screens hold a torch, though, to what Mercedes-Benz has planned—a massive 56-inch “Hyperscreen” display for the upcoming EQS luxury electric sedan.
The Hyperscreen will consist of three separate screens covered by one solid piece of curved, anti-reflective Gorilla Glass that spans the entire dash. It will be powered by the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX), a voice-controlled infotainment system.
On its website, Mercedes says the display will feature a zero-layer setup, meaning the user will not have to scroll through submenus or give voice commands because the “most important applications are always offered in a situational and contextual way at the top level in view.”
Learn more about the Hyperscreen below in the recording of its world premiere.
Even though touchscreen displays are an increasingly common feature in new cars, it doesn’t mean they are in the public’s best interest.
An increasing number of studies show that digital infotainment systems are likely distracting enough to increase the risk for accidents, particularly when the display is a touchscreen.
Because of these safety concerns, some automakers, such as Mazda and Honda, are returning to physical controls for some of their cars. Mercedes hopes the zero-feature layer will reduce driver distraction, but that remains to be seen.