When Does a Square 1:1 Display Make Sense?
September 10, 2020
A square, 1:1 display makes sense when the format is part of the design: signage that has to stand out from the 16:9 screens around it, a compact human-machine interface where symmetry matters, or a build that combines several modules into one shape. We supply square TFT displays as components and integrate them with the controller, touch screen, and cover glass the product needs.
Where do square displays work best?
In digital signage, compact HMIs, and branding projects. Several square modules can be combined into display staircases, pyramids, or three-dimensional cubes, and a thin frame makes the most of the available space. Arranged diagonally or offset, they create layouts that standard formats cannot. A square display also gives a small device a distinctive face: AUO’s 3.6-inch square panel was built for rugged, compact HMIs that stand out because of their format.
Which square displays are current?
Two large AUO panels: the 28.1-inch P281SVN01.0 and the 44.9-inch P449SVN01.0, which has a resolution of 1280 × 1280 pixels. Both are rated for 24/7 continuous operation, with 700 cd/m² brightness and a wide viewing angle from all directions. The current list is on our square displays page.
What happened to the 17-inch and 3.6-inch square panels?
They are discontinued. For reference, and for anyone maintaining a product built on them:
- AUO G170HAN01.0 and G170HAN01.1: 17-inch, 1920 × 1920 pixels on a 30.5 × 30.5 cm active area, with wide viewing angles. The G170HAN01.0 offered 600 cd/m², a -20 to +70 °C operating range, and an integrated LED driver; the G170HAN01.1 offered 350 cd/m² and a 4-lane eDP interface.
- AUO A036FAB01.0: 3.6-inch with 8 cm sides, integrated on-cell PCAP multi-touch, an anti-fingerprint coating, a 1.1 mm protective cover glass, 450 cd/m², 1000:1 contrast, AHVA wide viewing angles, and a MIPI interface.
- POS-MO-170-00-PRO: our IP-protected, ready-made square monitor.
We do not list a direct replacement for these parts. If a product of yours depends on one, our obsolescence management plans a last-time buy or the qualification of a different display with you before supply runs out.
What does a square display design need beyond the panel?
A controller matched to the panel’s interface, and usually touch and protection. For the 17-inch panel we offered a ready-to-connect kit with our PrismaECO-4K, which controls 4-lane eDP displays up to 4096 × 2160. The 3.6-inch panel showed what a small square HMI needs at the front: integrated touch, a coating that keeps the surface clean after many touches, and a strong cover glass. We bond cover glass and touch screens to displays with VacuBond® optical bonding, done in-house in Ronkonkoma, New York.
Square is one of several special formats, alongside round, curved, and narrow bar-type displays. For when each one earns its place, see special format displays: when standard screens aren’t enough.
Tell us where the display has to work, and we will take it from there. We recommend the panel, controller, and power together, handle the integration and the sourcing through the FORTEC Group, and stay with the project from first samples to series production.
