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Technology Glossary

Viewing Direction

Viewing direction is the angle – e.g. 6 or 12 o’clock – from which a TN LCD offers the best contrast and colors, chosen to match how the device is mounted.

Also known as: 6 o'clock, 12 o'clock, view direction, preferred viewing direction

Viewing direction is a parameter used mainly in TN (Twisted Nematic) LCDs. It defines the direction from which the display offers optimal readability, accurate colors and proper contrast. Choosing the right viewing direction helps prevent TN-specific issues such as grayscale inversion, contrast loss or dimming. It is especially important in devices where the user’s position relative to the screen is fixed, such as machine control panels, counters or medical instruments.

  • 6 o’clock – the best view is from below the screen; suitable for devices mounted above the user’s eye level.
  • 12 o’clock – the best view is from above the screen; suitable for devices mounted below the user’s eye level.

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