Dual-Scan display
A dual-scan display, which is sometimes referred to as a passive-matrix display, has a row of transistors running on the top of the screen (x-axes) as well as the left of the screen (y-axes). The amount of transistors are defined by the LCD manufacturer, for example, the manufacturer may define 800 transistors along the x-axes and 600 transistors along the y-axes. These transistors power the pixels that are powered in grids by the transistors. Unfortunately, if one of these transistors were to fail, you would receive a solid black line going vertical or horizontal.
When compared to an active-matrix, most passive-matrix is superior technology. With passive-matrix, you are unable to see the screen unless you are directly in front of it. However, the display is usually dimmer than a passive-matrix display.
New passive-matrix screen technologies, such as CSTN (Color Super-Twisted Nematic), DSTN (Double Layer Super-Twist Nematic), and HPA (High-Performance Addressing displays) are improved versions of the passive-matrix displays that improve upon previous versions by offering higher contrast and brightness rates found with earlier versions.
In conclusion, the passive-matrix today, while better than previous versions, is still an affordable solution as a LCD. However, it does not offer the quality that is found with active-matrix.
Also see: Cell phone definitions, Video definitions