Lcd Monitor Sideways: Lying Performance And Health?

There are several factors to consider when discussing whether placing an LCD monitor sideways is detrimental. Firstly, it is important to distinguish between temporarily viewing the screen sideways and permanently positioning the monitor in a sideways orientation. For temporary viewing, the light projected by the screen remains unchanged, and as long as you are not straining your eyes, there should be no harm. However, some LCD/LED screens exhibit a slight hue shift from top to bottom, and viewing the screen sideways can create a disorienting effect for some individuals. In terms of permanent placement, there is a general consensus that LCD screens should not be placed face down horizontally to avoid applying pressure sideways onto large planes of glass, which could potentially cause cracking. Additionally, the viewing angle of the display should be considered, as cheaper LCD technologies may have inferior vertical viewing angles, resulting in compromised display quality when the screen is rotated.

Some LCD monitors are designed to be positioned horizontally

Coaxial monitors, such as the Genelec 8351, KEF LS50, and Tannoy Gold, can be placed vertically or horizontally as their directivity tends to be about the same in both positions.

Laying LCD screens flat may cause dust or debris to embed in the display

Another concern is the application of pressure "sideways" onto large planes of glass in a plasma or similar TV, which could cause cracking. This is not an issue for small screens, such as those found in laptops or digital watches.

When it comes to the viewing experience, laying LCD screens flat can affect the viewing angle and the quality of the display. Sideways monitors will have a narrower left-right leeway, and you may experience a "pinch" in the mid-frequency range, altering the sound of many instruments. Additionally, laying LCD screens flat may increase reflections from your desk and ceiling, impacting the overall viewing experience.

In summary, while laying LCD screens flat may cause some issues with dust and debris, it is not inherently harmful to the screen itself. However, it is recommended to store LCD screens vertically and to avoid applying pressure or stacking items on top of them to prevent damage.

The issue of laying LCD screens sideways may be about applying pressure sideways onto the glass

However, there is some debate on this topic. Some people suggest that laying an LCD screen flat may not be harmful as long as it is stored in protective packaging. Additionally, the idea that laying LCD screens sideways is harmful may be a misconception, as there is no mention of this in manufacturer guidelines.

It is worth noting that laying LCD screens sideways may affect the display quality and viewing experience. When an LCD screen is rotated 90 degrees, there may be a significant drop in display quality due to the arrangement of subpixels and the viewing angle of the display. The viewing angle of LCD screens can vary, with TN panels having poorer viewing angles than VA and IPS panels.

In summary, while there may be some validity to the concern about applying pressure sideways onto the glass of an LCD screen, the potential for damage may depend on various factors such as the protective measures taken during storage and the specific characteristics of the LCD screen. Additionally, laying LCD screens sideways may impact the display quality and viewing experience.

Laying LCD screens flat may cause scratches on the screen

To avoid the risk of scratches, it is recommended to place a soft cloth under the screen when laying it flat. This will provide a protective layer between the screen and any irregularities on the surface it is placed on. It is also important to ensure that nothing is stacked on top of the LCD screen, as this could also cause damage.

Another consideration when laying an LCD screen flat is the viewing angle. When an LCD screen is rotated, the vertical viewing angles become horizontal viewing angles, which can affect the display quality. This is due to the arrangement of subpixels and the viewing angle of the display. The cheapest LCD panels, which use TN (Twisted Nematic) panel technology, do not have very good vertical viewing angles. As a result, when the screen is rotated, the viewing experience may be impacted, with colours appearing strange or inverted, and brightness varying across the screen.

However, not all LCD screens will experience a drop in display quality when rotated. More expensive LCD panels, such as those using MVA (Multi-Domain Vertical Alignment) or IPS (In-Plane Switching) panel technology, have excellent vertical viewing angles and will not be affected by rotation. These panels are commonly found in high-end products such as the iPad.

In summary, while laying an LCD screen flat may not damage its internal components, it is important to take precautions to avoid scratches and other types of damage to the screen. Additionally, the viewing experience may be impacted by the rotation, depending on the type of panel used in the LCD screen.

Sideways monitors will have less left-right leeway as the sweet spot is less wide

When a speaker is rotated 90 degrees, its horizontal and vertical dispersion patterns also rotate. This means that sideways monitors will have less left-right leeway as the sweet spot is less wide. The sweet spot refers to the area where listeners can experience the best tonal response without any shift. When monitors are positioned sideways, this sweet spot becomes narrower, reducing the optimal listening area.

A speaker's directivity characteristics measure its frequency response on and off the acoustic axis, up to angles of 90 degrees on both sides. These measurements are plotted as separate heatmaps for vertical and horizontal directivity. When a speaker is rotated, its horizontal and vertical dispersion patterns change, impacting the overall sound quality.

In addition, sideways speakers may also experience a mid-frequency "pinch" around the crossover frequency, which affects how instruments sound. This "pinch" is present in all 2-way monitors, except coaxial monitors, and it occurs when the tweeter is positioned above the woofer. This further reduces the optimal listening area for sideways monitors.

Therefore, while it is possible to position monitors sideways, it is generally not recommended as it can result in a narrower sweet spot and potential sound quality issues due to the mid-frequency "pinch".

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