Optically compensated splay (OCS) mode, where the liquid crystals (LCs) are almost homeotropically aligned with rubbed surfaces at parallel directions and a mid-director orients parallel to the substrate, was known to show a wide-viewing-angle due to self-compensation effect. The device requires a setting voltage and phase transition time in order for LC to have a transition from almost vertical alignment to the splay state. The setting voltage, transition time, and response time of the device as a function of surface pretilt angle were studied. The results indicate that with decreasing surface pretilt angle in the OCS cell, both phase transition time and setting voltage decrease and response time becomes faster. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.