An LCD Screen's Column Board (A Closer Look At A Notebook LCD Screen)

Most of a liquid crystal display's functions go on behind the scenes. There are hidden components that control much of what you see on the display.

On the back of most notebook LCD screens you'll find a column board. Underneath it lie some important components of the LCD screen. We've taken a screen and pulled back the column board to expose some of these components for you see.

Notebook LCDs

As you can see in the picture below, the timing controller is attached to the column board. The column board, in this photo, is unscrewed and folded over the top of the screen so that you may view the important parts of the column board. The timing controller is a chip which supplies the control and video signals.

The timing controller receives video signals. These signals are already compatible with the resolution of the notebook LCD screen. Desktops, which we will discuss later, are a little different. The video signals that the timing controller receives are created by the graphics controller circuitry.

You can also see the area that the backlight is located. The backlight is what generates the light that you see when you view your display. The backlight is powered by the inverter. The cable that plugs into the inverter is also shown here

The flex connecters connect the column board to the inputs of the data drivers and scan drivers on the glass of the notebook LCD screen. The control signals which are sent to three screen drivers are sent down the right side of the notebook LCD panel.

The sticker on the back of the notebook LCD will also reveal the OEM number or assigned part number. These numbers are helpful when determining a replacement panel for a notebook.

Desktop

Desktop LCD computer monitors are similar to that of the LCD panels in notebooks. However, these LCD screens have to be compatible with various computers, both analog and digital outputs and resolutions.

A desktop LCD monitor also has a controller board that accepts a variety of video signals and converts them to the specific format for the timing controller. This happens so that a particular LCD monitor can work on multiple computers.

Back To Resource Center

Do I need a new laptop screen?

How do I measure the size of my screen?

Backlights explained: LED vs LCD vs CCFL

Screen surface explained: Glossy vs Matte

Glossary of Industry Terms

Resource Center

LCD Quality Standards

Compare Our Prices to Laptop Manufacturers