Sharp’s Quattron quad pixel HDTV technology is without doubt capable of reproducing trillions of colors as compared to billions for conventional LCD HDTVs. The technology also delivers a significant reduction in power consumption and therefore increasingly important smaller carbon footprint.

Like all HDTV manufacturers who have significantly reduced HDTV power requirements over the last few years, Sharp has placed design emphasis power consumption reduction. Shifting to quad sub pixel structure LCD (a first) doesn’t only widen the possible range of reproducible colors from billions to trillions. The addition of a fourth yellow sub-pixel filter to the standard red-green-blue (RGB) also allows more light to pass through requiring a less bright backlight and less power to run it. The benefits to the consumer and environment are obvious.

The benefits of having a LCD display capable of reproducing trillions of colors are less obvious. If the video signal being displayed is to a standard that has a color space that fits within the color gamut of an RGB sub-pixel display then a Sharp Quattron quad sub-pixel display is not going to look different. When the RGB gamut is exceeded some difference is likely to be seen depending on the variety of colors carried by the video signal. Based on the color gamuts of RGB and Quattron (RGBY) displays the noticeable color differences will be more sparkling golds, accurate Caribbean blues and realistic sunflower yellows. The additional yellow pixel can also make whites seem brighter and in turn improve contrast.

Some commentary on Sharp’s Quattron LCD displays has attributed perceived color improvements to the extra yellow pixel making an RGBY display being closer to how the human brain perceives and processes visual signals. Whether this is correct is difficult to know for anyone who is not a human vision expert but, it is obvious from a recent discovery that the process of determining how exactly how human vision works is ongoing. Johns Hopkins University’s Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, researchers found that special photosensitive cells called intrinsically photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cells (ipRGCs) play a key role in image formation. Images could still be perceived with a retina missing the rods and cones that were thought to be solely responsible for sight.

In summary, those who purchase a Sharp Quattron quad pixel LCD HDTV will have what is currently the only LCD HDTV capable of reproducing trillions of colors. They will also have an LCD HDTV with lower power consumption and a smaller carbon footprint.

Video – Quattron Quad Pixel Technology Explained