Twisted nematic xLCD contrast compensation with tilted-plate retarders

Contrast compensation for a liquid crystal display projection system including a light source, a first polarizer, a liquid crystal display panel (404), and a second polarizer is provided using a tilted compensating plate. The compensating plate includes a first birefringent element (406) having an optic axis oriented at a first angle to the plate normal, where the first angle is greater than zero degrees (e.g., an A-plate or O-plate), and a second birefringent element (407) having an optic axis oriented at a second angle to the plate normal, where the second angle is substantially equal to zero degrees (e.g., a C-plate). The compensating plate is tilted (θpt) relative to a plane of the liquid crystal display panel. The tilted compensating plate has been shown to provide improved contrast compensation for twisted nematic liquid crystal displays.