PANEL TECHNOLOGIES EXPLAINED

Not all LCD panels are created equal. While pricing is a key consideration, it’s also important that you be aware of the pros and cons of each panel type before selecting which one is best for your needs. There are three main types: TN, VA and IPS. There are others, and many subtypes as well, but we’ll focus on these three common technologies.

TN – Twisted Nematic

TN panels are usually found in cheaper monitors and are the most widely used panel type. Gaming monitors with very high refresh rates and low response times typically use TN panels. The downside of TN panels are their colour reproduction capabilities, contrast ratios and viewing angles which are inferior to IPS and VA panels.

IPS – In Plane Switching

IPS panels are generally considered to be the best panel type, with image quality, colour accuracy and viewing angles all superior to TN. Some earlier models had relatively poor contrast ratios, though this has largely been eliminated as the technology improves. They are well suited for photographers or graphic designers who require accurate colour reproduction. IPS panels usually feature the widest viewing angles too.

VA – Vertical Alignment

VA panels are something of a middle ground. They offer colour reproduction, contrast ratios and viewing angles that are superior to TN but their weakness is slower response times. They are known for their excellent contrast ratios though. Some VA monitors can suffer from input lag.

What about OLED?

OLED panels deliver superior picture quality and very low response times – the best qualities of all the panels above, combined! The absence of OLED monitors is due to problems concerning image retention, degradation and cost. In 2016, Dell teased us with what was apparently the holy grail of PC monitors, the UP3017Q. It was a 30in, 4K, 120Hz screen with a 0.1ms response time, but sadly it never made it to production due to image quality problems.