Simul8r, care to kick off the new thread with some TAC removal insights?

Does it make a big difference?

Thought nobody would ever ask....hehehe

Well, aside for me, Pun15her and Dweez also took the rear TAC off from their LCD panel while in the process of removing their front antiglare and TAC (rag or stripper method). My findings right now is a little more distinct clarity, pixel perfect. It is my understanding that if I'm not dreaming this up it is the rear TAC that also has internal reflection (according to bible of Mark) that affects clarity. It would be interesting to see if others reply with the same findings.
sim

Or perhaps a chosen popular screenie from each's best projection by either a/g removed or not and also with rear TAC removed for comparison. Just a thought unless someone as a better suggestion.
sim

First off, what the hell is the TAC?

Here's copy of my response to your same question from my plog:

"Here's a picture of the breakdown of a antiglare/polarizer which is found on the front of your LCD panel as it is still a monitor before removing screws, backlight, etc.. They consist of several layers, the layer that we are removing is the antiglare that is secured to the TAC which exposes the PVA (polar). The polarizer on the rear side of the panel just consist of TAC>PVA>TAC that is adhesed onto your panel. It is assumed that the front TAC of the polarizer is just a cover film for the PVA used mostly for structure support but the PVA is also supported by the TAC behind it, in otherwords the PVA is sandwiched between 2 TAC's for support. I decided to remove the top TAC and expose it's PVA just like I did to the a/g polarizer in front of my panel. My opinion is a 'little more' acuteness and better clarity allowing more light to pass through. If I'm right there might be some internal reflection from the TAC that affects projection.
sim"

Now the pics may only show what the polarizing film consist of but antiglare type film is an additional layer that is bonded to the top TAC. The 'Protective film' comes off easily with a finger nail and is just a protector for handling purposes. The lower film called 'Release film' also comes off easily before it is bonded to the LCD panel. Several methods have been found to remedy the diffusiveness caused by antiglare on polarizers that are currently already adhesed to the our panels by the manufacturers and they are by POLISHING, the RAG METHOD and my method using PAINT STRIPPER. The method of REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT is done by totally removing the entire antiglare/polarizer layers off the LCD glass substrate then purchasing a seperate polarizer without antiglare and not adhesive and butt it up to the panel.

Most of this is explained in my other thread "LL Projector Lumens Theory". It is quite lengthy and if your interested may be worth your time reading on it.
sim

Since I'm going to have a lot of leftover polarizer from my replacement, I'm going to try removing the TAC from the polarizer I bought. See how well it goes, then try it on my 512N. (only because those tiny scratches are there) too bad I can't try it on the same brand of polarizer but it will at least give me some practice.

I still have my original polarizer with the antiglare on it. Is there TAC under the antiglare? Or is there no tac on the antiglare side?

Again, antiglare is bonded to the TAC.
sim

Is there a big difference in picture when you remove the TAC???

That is still yet to be fully evaluated. In theory, there will definately be an improvement assuming that you do not damage the panel during removal. Some have reported a slight increase in sharpenss and brightness, but nothing very drastic. At this point, it seems to be a consensus that it's simply not worth the risk.

This is true, I wouldn't say a dramatic difference but there is some in my opinion. At first I removed it because the otherside TAC was affected while removing the a/g on the front using the stripper method thats when I saw a difference. But the risk factor should be less than removing the a/g all together and a little easier since TAC is more permeable to water especially. Not something to jump into full heartedly but thats why it is a part of Extreme Mods to begin with.
sim

So SIM, should I remove my rear TAC? I still have dried goop on it... L72S, remember me? haha


Yoder

Yes, I remember you Yoder Dried goop? On the rear side of your panel? Thought you only removed the front antiglare and TAC from the front.

This extra MOD is really up to you, but just to help you decide.

1. Removing the rear TAC (in my opinion) will give you a little more clarity and acuteness, in otherwords ...straight in with the light thru polar then thru LCD and straight out thru other polar without any layers such as antiglare and TACs from both sides. There might be some 'internal reflection' from the TAC as I think is occurring based from what Mark explains may be the case.

2. Since TAC is not as tough as antiglare it would be easier to remove by either methods. Most accomplished removal I've seen were done by the rag method, but don't quote me, you know very well this MOD though affective in our application does seem to have it's grimlins lurking here and about. TAC seems to be more permeable to water as compared to antiglare. Though it also means you may have to actively watch for this layer to pop up before you over permeat it and thus affecting the polar (PVA) below it.

3. Remember, when you remove the antiglare with it's TAC from the front of the panel thus exposing the polar (PVA) you are also exposing the rear polar (PVA) from the rear of the panel just the same. Whether your comfortable with that is really your call. TAC is beleived to be a protective film that also adds structural support for the PVA but the TAC that is adhesed to your panel also supports this. Think of it as a PB&Jelly sandwich without one layer of bread. But this time the PVA is still stuck on the TAC adhesed to your panel that will not fall off.

4. The extra clarity is my own findings when removing the rear TAC though not proven a great deal as yet, it is still up for debate.

Hope this helps and good luck with your decision.
sim