An optimized supertwist display is undoubtedly one of technology's fin
est balancing acts and this review aims to equip the reader with an un
derstanding of how this balance is achieved. Recent rapid developments
in supertwist display technology have led to the supertwist display b
ecoming potentially appropriate for a much wider range of applications
than had previously been thought possible. This paper introduces the
supertwist display as a balance between many different material and di
splay requirements. Monochrome and colour supertwist displays, for pro
jection, camcorder and PC applications are considered and the differen
t driving techniques aimed at achieving video-rate and large-area disp
lays are discussed.