can anyone tell me the difrence between active matrix and passive matrix LCD displays, ive always wondered what that active matrix meant by all the LCD dicriptions

no one knows??

Active matrix displays have sharper images, purer colors, better contrast, and wider viewing angles than passive matrix screens. In addition, there is no "trailing" effect in active screens. Ever wonder why the "mouse trailing" was an option on earlier laptops? To disguise the trailing on the screen!

Technically, I think it has to do with the fact that active matrix screens lights all the pixels on the screen at one time, frame for frame. Passive matrix screens do not; they only light one pixel at a time and "scan" down the screen, like a CRT. CRT's can get away with scanning much better than LCD's.

Fyre4ce

On active-matrix each pixel is addressed individually, making for much more rapid response; the passive matrix works by addressing the pixels through their x-y coordinates (like telephone keypad "touchtones") -- much less efficient.