[Nielo TM]

It is done through simulation (FRC and dithering). And if you look at the panel Eizo uses, they are just standard 8bit panels.

PS: A TN panel (commonly found in budget PC monitors and portable devices) can only display 262,144 colors (2^6 x 2^6 x 2^6 = 64 x 64 x 64 = 262.144). By using FRC (Frame Rate Control) and dithering, manufactures were able to simulate higher colors without physically altering the panel (e.g. 262K + FRC + dithering = 16.2 million colors). This exactly how 10bit color and 14bit monochrome display work by using a native 8bit panel.


HDTVs on the other hand use internal picture processing to simulate higher number of shades which ranges from 8bit to 14bit. The purpose of this chip is to smooth out gray scales, therefore by creating the elution of 10bit color on an 8bit panel. But most of the time, these processing cause more banding than just 8bit processing.

PPS: I have an 8bit VA monitor and there’s hardly any banding at all. I however, I can’t say the same about my BRAVIA, which also has an 8bit PVA panel.

Edit: I do have point out that thanks to adaptive gamma correction embedded in the video processor, my BRAVIA produces more natural image then my previous WEGA CRT and my PC monitor. Just goes to show you that banding isn't that big of a deal when it comes to TVs.