An active matrix display is also called "TFT", which is short for "thin film transistor". This type of flat panel liquid crystal display is made up of many thin film transistors, each of which corresponds to an individual pixel. Each individual pixel is controlled by other transistors, turning off and on the TFTs, which in turn control whether or not they will allow the passage of light. The array of TFTs, some of which are passing light and others blocking it, is what makes up the image on the screen.
Some of Sony's flagship models feature a 32,000-color TFT display, with a 96 x 400 resolution, adding up to 38,400 pixels in 15-bit color - pretty close to what you'd expect to find in the best laptop computers or wide screen HDTV's. Visual feedback never looked so good in a car audio context, rivaling the best in home A/V offerings.
Many of these visually stunning models offer full customization of the image displayed on the TFT display, including images from your digital camera, or even the moving image from your DVD player. In some models, you can even capture a still image from the DVD, and use it as the unit's permanent wallpaper!
Sony also offers a selection of Mobile A/V monitors which make use of this technology.
Related Technologies
LCD
TFT
Widescreen
