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What Is a Stretched Bar LCD Display?
A Stretched Bar LCD (also known as Bar LCD, Bar LCD Panel, Bar Type LCD Display, or Stretched Bar Monitor) is a type of screen where the length is significantly greater than the height, in short, it’s another name for a “bar-type” display. Typically ranging from 2.9 to 15 inches, these modules are designed for embedded applications. If your housing design is tight on space, a stretched Bar LCD is a great option.
Compared with standard 16:9, 16:10, or 4:3 screens, bar-type LCDs are an ideal solution for many specialized use cases where space and shape are limiting factors.
Key Differences Between Stretched Bar LCD and Traditional Displays
The biggest advantage lies in space efficiency. If your goal isn’t to show large images but to present key information, then a bar-type screen can help you free up a lot of internal space. In narrow product designs, it’s often hard to integrate a traditional rectangular screen, but a Bar LCD Panel can fit perfectly into:
- retail shelf displays
- payment terminal interfaces
- elevator control panels
- smart home device bars
- even gaming consoles
The long, slim format is perfect for displaying only what matters, making room for the rest of your design without compromise.
Another benefit is visual impact. Stretched Bar LCD are often used to display highly focused data, like system status, scrolling menus, alerts, or control bar info. These elements are easy to read, and because the shape stands out, they’re naturally more eye-catching. Let’s face it, traditional screen formats are everywhere. You wouldn’t look twice at a 16:10 display, but a long, narrow bar display? That might actually grab your attention.
A Real Example: Bar LCD Design in Action
We’ve always been proud to design bar-type displays to fit compact or unusual form factors. One of our U.S. clients once came to us needing a custom-sized bar LCD, a size that wasn’t available off the shelf. After talking with our PM team, we realized we could cut down a 6.3-inch panel to meet their exact dimensions.
But then came a second challenge: they wanted the FPC to exit from the side. Our module’s FPC was designed to exit from the bottom due to IC placement, and it couldn’t be re-routed.
Our solution? Fold the bottom-exit FPC backward so that it exits from the rear side. This solved everything, no changes to the PCB, no interference with their structure, and a very space-efficient solution that moved smoothly into production.
The final result was a highly compact layout that helped the customer maintain their design integrity while keeping the internal structure clean.
Where Are Stretched Bar LCD a Good Fit?
Unlike the long-format displays used in train stations, airports, or museums, the Stretched Bar LCD we make are small to mid-size, typically 2.9″, 4.6″, 8.8″, up to 15.6″. These are better suited for:
- retail-facing promotion screens
- fitness equipment UI
- smart appliances (fridges, ovens, coffee machines)
- industrial machine status bars
- elevator indicators
- audio equipment control panels
Wherever space is tight, or information needs to be displayed compactly, a bar LCD can often do the job better than a full-size screen.
A Quick Comparison
Here’s a basic comparison between Stretched Bar LCD and Traditional LCDs. As you can see, Stretched Bar LCD aren’t meant to replace standard modules, they’re a functional and structural complement.
| Feature | Stretched Bar LCD | Traditional LCD Module |
|---|---|---|
| Aspect Ratio | Ultra – wide | Standard 4:3 or 16:9 |
| Installation | Ideal for narrow/embedded spaces | Ideal for main visual areas |
| Space Efficiency | Excellent for tight structures | Standard |
| Application Role | Supplementary or dedicated UI segments | Primary display modules |
That said, if you’re not sure which one suits your project, Bar or traditional, feel free to ask me directly. Sometimes the line is blurred. For example, a 4:1 screen might still look like a standard rectangle to some, and even 10.25″ modules can go either way depending on use case.
| Size | Resolution | Interface | Touch Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.9″ | 320×120 | RGB/SPI/MCU | Optional |
| 3.9″ | 480×128 | RGB | Optional |
| 4.3″ | 800×320 | RGB | Optional |
| 4.6″ | 800×120 | RGB | Optional |
| 6.3″ | 800×280 | RGB/LVDS | Optional |
| 7.0″ | 800×1424 | MCU | Optional |
| 8.8″ | 1280×320 | LVDS | Optional |
| 12.3″ | 1920×720 | LVDS | Optional |
| 15.0″ | 1920×720 | LVDS | Optional |
When you order Stretched Bar LCD from us, we ship them in custom plastic trays with CDTECH logo packaging (we are, after all, a volume supplier). Interface options can be tailored to your needs. And for after-sales? Sales reps like me are also engineers, we have the technical knowledge and the production experience to support you from development to final delivery.
Final Note
Personally, I really like Stretched Bar LCD, I think they’re the coolest part of our product range. They’re smart, efficient, and just different enough to give your product that unique touch.
Thanks for reading this far. Let me know if you’d like to explore ideas or get samples. Always happy to help!
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