The different panels and sub-pixel layouts
First and foremost, you need to divide the panels into two categories. LCD panels are the latest and most popular. But OLED panels are pushing more and more into the market. In the last few years, increasingly in the TV sector and since this year, there are “affordable” OLED monitors for PC users. Okay, €1,300 for the Alienware QD-OLED is not really cheap, but compared to OLED alternatives, it is almost a bargain. If you take the OLED TVs out of consideration for a moment.
Now let’s first take a look at who the panel manufacturers are that you might find installed in your monitors. Here is a list of the display manufacturers I know:
Samsung Display
LG Display
AU-Optronics
INNOLUX
Sharp Display
You can already see that names like Gigabyte, ASUS, Acer, MSI, etc. don’t even appear here. They buy the displays accordingly and sell the monitors under their branding. Therefore, it is very important for the connoisseur to know which panel was installed in the object of desire. You can at least roughly guess how well the monitor will perform. Of course, you have to have other information there. The panel manufacturer is the first piece of the puzzle – at least for me.
TN vs. VA vs. IPS: Which LCD monitor should you choose now?
Yes, that is an interesting question and sometimes not so easy to answer. What do you want: Best colors? Best contrast? Fastest pixel response time? High frame rates? Preferably everything? Etc. etc. etc. And what may it cost in the end? So you see, simple looks different! In the following, I can introduce you to the differences in broad terms and outline the advantages or disadvantages. Either way, there is no wrong or right.
TN = Twisted Nematic
In TN panels, pixels consist of rod-shaped liquid crystals that are backlit by LEDs. The higher the voltage becomes, the more the rods shift perpendicular to the image plane. (Oh dear, that’s really heavy, I know and I’m sorry, but unfortunately it doesn’t work without technical jargon) So depending on the voltage it gets lighter or darker. The rods let the light through less and less. For example, it becomes darker and darker and a “black pixel” appears. Talking about black in TN is a bit exaggerated now. TN panels have the worst black and contrast values of all.
Sub-pixel TN(source)
VA = Vertical Alignment (vertical alignment)
You can see the vertical alignment of the pixels on the image quite well. If voltage is applied here, the crystals rotate horizontally until they no longer let any light through. This also allows VA panels to produce the best black and contrast values among LCD displays. These panels are relatively stable in terms of viewing angles and can almost keep up with IPS. When it comes to color fidelity and color space, however, VA panels have to hide behind IPS monitors. VA panels are better than TN in terms of colors in any case.
Sub-Pixel VA(Source)
IPS = In-Plane Switching (switching in one plane)
In IPS panels, the liquid crystals are arranged parallel on top of each other. Depending on the applied voltage, the crystals can become significantly darker than with TN panels. Compared to VA panels, IPS unfortunately does not stand a chance when it comes to contrast. VA panels are vastly superior. Which is why Samsung praises its VA-based TVs so highly. Samsung may call the IPS panels PLC. In the end, however, this is nothing different, just a different name. IPS panels have two main advantages: Firstly, they have the widest color space coverage with the best color fidelity and offer the best viewing angle among LCD monitors. If only there wasn’t the contrast problem.
Subpixel IPS(source)
Sub-pixel layout RGB vs. BGR
In most cases, the RGB layout is used for LCD panels. The advantage of the RGB layout is that you can see very clear text on the monitor. With the BGR layout, this is exactly the disadvantage – the “twisted” arrangement of the sub-pixels. So, if you don’t only gamble on the PC, you should always make sure that you use a monitor with an RGB layout. Or, you can live with the disadvantage of the BGR layout. This is basically not noticeable when gaming.
Here for a better understanding. See for yourself…
Image Source:(Here)
You can see it quite clearly that – from my point of view – you should rather go for the RGB layout. The text is already extremely blurred! Everyone must decide for themselves. I would like to give you an example of a BRG-based monitor at this point. The Gigabyte M27Q uses a Sharp panel in the BGR layout. Basically, not a bad gaming monitor, especially measured by the price. However, there are better alternatives in the same price range (e.g. LG 27GP850). Then we come now to the somewhat special panels – next page please.
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