Content last revised on November 7, 2025
Optrex DMF-50174ZNF-FW-BDN | High-Contrast Transflective Industrial Display
The OPtrex DMF-50174ZNF-FW-BDN is a 5.7-inch QVGA display engineered for applications where clarity, reliability, and performance in variable lighting are non-negotiable. It eschews the complexity of full-color panels to deliver an exceptionally clear, high-contrast monochrome image, making it an ideal choice for critical data visualization in demanding industrial, medical, and instrumentation sectors.
- Model: DMF-50174ZNF-FW-BDN
- Technology: Transflective FSTN (Film Compensated Super-Twisted Nematic) LCD
- Core Benefit: Superb readability in both direct sunlight and low-light conditions with its integrated LED backlight.
- Primary Applications: Industrial control panels, test and measurement equipment, medical devices, and outdoor terminals.
- Value Proposition: A rugged, power-efficient, and long-life display solution that reduces operator error and thrives where standard displays fail.
Technical Deep Dive: Beyond the Pixels
The true value of the DMF-50174ZNF-FW-BDN lies in its specialized design. Two key features set it apart for professional applications.
Transflective FSTN for All-Condition Readability
Unlike standard transmissive displays that wash out in bright light, the DMF-50174ZNF-FW-BDN utilizes a transflective polarizer. This innovative design has two modes of operation: in bright ambient conditions, it reflects external light through the LCD cell to create a crisp, clear image without needing a backlight, drastically reducing power consumption. In dark environments, the power-efficient white LED backlight engages to provide a brightly illuminated, high-contrast display. This dual-mode capability ensures optimal legibility and energy efficiency, a critical advantage for battery-powered or field-deployed equipment.
Built for Industrial Endurance
An industrial display must be more than just clear; it must be tough. The DMF-50174ZNF-FW-BDN is built with a wide operating temperature range of -20°C to +70°C, ensuring stable performance in environments from refrigerated facilities to sun-exposed enclosures. Its robust construction is designed to withstand the shock and vibration common in factory settings, a factor validated through rigorous reliability testing. This focus on durability translates directly to a longer service life and lower total cost of ownership for your system.
Application Scenarios & Value Creation
- Industrial Automation & HMI: In a factory, misreading a value can be catastrophic. The sharp contrast and clean font rendering of the DMF-50174ZNF-FW-BDN ensure that critical process parameters, alarms, and settings are unambiguous, minimizing operator error on machine controllers and process supervisors.
- Medical Diagnostic Equipment: For patient monitoring or diagnostic instruments, data integrity is paramount. This display provides the non-distracting, high-clarity readout required for viewing vital signs, waveforms, or device statuses, backed by the reliability essential for medical-grade hardware.
- Test & Measurement Instruments: Field engineers need instruments that work everywhere. The transflective nature of this display makes it perfect for portable multimeters, oscilloscopes, and network analyzers that are used both indoors in a lab and outdoors in bright sunlight.
- Marine & Outdoor Kiosks: The challenge of direct sun is a primary failure point for many outdoor displays. The DMF-50174ZNF-FW-BDN excels here, delivering a clear view without requiring a power-hungry, high-nit backlight, making it a superior choice for chart plotters, fuel pumps, and information terminals. The thoughtful power electronics packaging ensures resilience against environmental factors.
Key Technical Parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Screen Size | 5.7 inch (14.5 cm) |
| Resolution | 320 x 240 (QVGA) |
| Display Technology | FSTN (Film Compensated STN), Monochrome |
| Mode | Transflective |
| Backlight | White LED |
| Operating Temperature | -20°C to +70°C |
| Storage Temperature | -30°C to +80°C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How does the DMF-50174ZNF-FW-BDN's sunlight readability compare to a modern high-brightness TFT?
While a high-brightness TFT-LCD uses brute force (high power consumption) to overcome ambient light, the transflective DMF-50174ZNF-FW-BDN uses physics. It leverages existing ambient light, resulting in superior clarity in direct sun with significantly lower power draw. The tradeoff is its monochrome nature, which is an advantage in applications where color is a distraction rather than a requirement.
Q2: Does this display require a complex graphics controller?
No, the DMF-50174ZNF-FW-BDN typically integrates a controller (like the T6963C or equivalent) and uses a standard 8-bit parallel interface. This simplifies system integration, as it can be driven by a wide variety of common microcontrollers without the need for a dedicated GPU or complex display driver, reducing both development time and BOM cost.
For systems that need a specific interface or have unique design constraints, our team can help you select the right components. Explore our full range of industrial LCDs or contact our technical team for a detailed datasheet or a quote to discuss your project's specific needs.
