Around 20 o'clock on Sep 24, Allen Akin wrote:
> I disagree in part. The cost differential is still so significant, and > the functionality differential still so significant in some markets, > that CRTs are going to be with us for quite a while longer. I suspect we both view this trend from our own perspectives; 3D graphics continues to be driven by visual performance -- refresh rates, color calibration, viewing angle and color consistency -- while 2D graphics is more driven by convenience and comfort. Even ignoring desktop LCD displays, current market information comparing laptop sales vs traditional desktop sales shows that laptops will soon surpass desktop volumes. Now couple that with the pricing trend for smaller (<17") desktop LCD screens and I see a world in 2D graphics where the bulk of the displays have square pixels with known sub-pixel geometry. I don't see 3D graphics moving along this same path; LCD screens remain of typically lower resolution, slower to refresh and significantly less accurate in color and luminosity. Where LCD screens truely shine is in presenting text; the lack of flicker and the frequency response possible with sharp pixel edges make them vastly superior to any analog display device. I'm currently considering how to extend Render to provide sub-pixel drawing for geometric objects; I know that performance will be significantly lower than full-pixel drawing, but given the small number of geometric objects drawn by most applications, the additional clarity may well be worth the loss in speed. > I think we have to pursue both tracks, at least until OLEDs or one of the > other potential successors to LCDs gain some traction in the mass market. Certainly we must continue to support CRTs as well as improve performance on LCDs. Permitting both box filters and more sophisticated filters in Render is definitely a requirement. In a similar vein, we should consider what techniques to include which are optimized for LCD screens so that those may be used to their fullest potential. Keith Packard XFree86 Core Team HP Cambridge Research Lab _______________________________________________ Render mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://XFree86.Org/mailman/listinfo/render
