California-based DPI Labs has released its new large-format 4K ultra-high definition (UHD), slim, ultra-lightweight, OLED displays for business and VVIP aircraft cabins.
In January 2021, the 55-inch and 65-inch OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) cabin displays, branded DPI SmartCanvas, were installed on a VVIP Boeing 767 at a completion centre in Arizona. The installation included a complete DPI cabin management system consisting of passenger and cabin crew control panels, audio/video distribution, cabin control modules and DPI’s multi-coloured LED cabin lighting.
The new OLED large format displays are DO-160 compliant and PMA is expected within the next month.
“DPI Labs has a long history of firsts and innovation within the business and military aviation markets,” said Scott DeSmet, DPI’s VP Sales and Business Development. “We’re proud to be first to bring the OLED large-format display technology and experience to the business and VVIP industry and continue our tradition of excellence and ingenuity.”
According to DeSmet: “Historically, in order to install screens this large using LED technology, the bulkhead would have had to be modified and significantly reinforced structurally in order to support the excessive mass. This adds even more overall aircraft weight and takes up additional cabin space. With our OLED displays we’re able to actually flush-mount them into a standard bulkhead, displacing bulkhead weight and material and take up zero cabin space. These are rare win-wins for our industry when we can both greatly enhance the passenger experience and reduce weight and installation time and cost.”
DPI Lab’s ultra-thin OLED displays is their ability operate with a bend radius of 1 meter either horizontally or vertically allowing them to conform to curved surfaces such as aircraft headliners and sidewalls. This provides aircraft interior designers with exciting and interesting new applications for cabin installation.
DPI’s 55-inch and 65-inch are ultra-high definition 4K displays each with a native resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. These resolutions paired with the displays’ infinite contrast ratio (the ratio between black and white on the screen) and wide viewing angle make them ideal for UHD video sources such as Blu-Ray, Sat-TV, Streaming Video Services or passengers’ downloaded UHD content. DPI’s 65” OLED display weighs-in at just 24 pounds (10.89 kg) and is only 0.36-inch (9 mm) thick
The SmartCanvas Display Line is part of DPI’s SmartLink Cabin Management System which includes passenger controls, cabin switching modules, LED cabin lighting and HD-UHD audio-video distribution for both new aircraft installations and retrofitting legacy aircraft systems.
The company plans on launching a 33-inch OLED in Q3 later this year.