tn lcd panel polarized glasses brands

Who hasn’t experienced the effects of glare from wet or shiny surfaces when outside? This glare can harm our vision, and cause our surroundings to become hazardous. If this is something you’ve struggled with, polarized lenses could be the answer you’re looking for. Below, we’ve expanded on what polarized lenses are, the effects of glare, and polarized lenses versus regular lenses and whom they benefit. This information will allow you to make the best decision on determining if polarized lenses are for you.

Polarization refers to the way light passes through the lenses. Polarized safety glasses have a unique coating that scatters light as it makes its way to your eye, therefore blocking reflections and glare that might obscure or affect your vision. This ensures you have maximum possible visibility.

While most polarized lenses provide general protection from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, polarized and UV protection are not interchangeable terms. Polarized lenses don’t offer UV protection unless labeled otherwise.

Unlike regular tinted glasses, polarized lenses drastically cut glare. The popularity around polarized lenses is due to their reduction in glare without sacrificing clarity, performance, or durability. With polarization, you get the protection of regular safety glasses with added visual comfort.

The enchantment in color perception that polarized lenses provide allows for better visual clarity compared to the over-exposure your eyes would process when wearing regular safety glasses, therefore reducing eye stress and fatigue and decreasing headaches caused by overexposure to glare.

Moreover, non-polarized lenses only reduce the amount of light that comes through the glasses, treating all sunlight equally and reducing the overall intensity. They make it easier to see in intense light, but they don’t offer protection for glare.

In some cases, such as using LCD screens, non-polarized lenses are the better option. LCD screens also use polarizing filters and can appear turned off when viewed through polarized glasses.

In many day-to-day situations, non-polarized lenses can increase visibility and clarity; however, when your daily tasks involve glare, that’s when polarized lenses are optimal.

Polarized lenses are an excellent option to consider for anyone who spends much time outdoors. It reduces the bright reflections, eliminates unwanted glare, and can improve your vision under challenging circumstances. Anyone working around water, metal, or large flat surfaces that reflect sunlight would encounter glare and benefit from polarized lenses. This includes construction workers, roofers, landscapers, and truck drivers, to name a few.

Polarized lenses aren’t just ideal for work. Any activity that involves rapid changes in lighting conditions, such as fishing, running, cycling, or hunting, may benefit from these lenses.

If you find yourself working outside and faced with glare, polarized lenses could be an excellent solution for you. The ability to cut glare allows for visual comfort and improved vision in challenging circumstances. Gone are the days of eye fatigue, strain, and headaches. Polarized lenses are ideal for not only better sight while on the job, but also a better quality of eye health.

Polarized sunglasses may make it easier and more comfortable to see outdoors, but wearing them while trying to read an LCD (liquid-crystal display) screen can sometimes — literally — leave your eyes in the dark.

Most LCDs, such as your smartphone and tablet, use a polarizing filter to help you see the screen in bright sunlight. But so do polarized sunglasses, meaning the two essentially cancel each other out, causing your LCD screen to appear dark or completely black when you look at it.

Polarized sunglasses are designed to block glare — overly bright light reflected off shiny surfaces such as water and snow. Natural light consists of protons bouncing in many directions; polarized lenses filter that light, causing those protons to travel in a single, uniform direction (usually horizontal).

Polarized sunglass lenses are coated with a chemical compound composed of molecules that are parallel to one another. These molecules absorb any light waves traveling in the direction in which they’re aligned, preventing them from passing through the coating.

LCD screens and sunglasses typically contain a polarizing filter for the same reason: to make it easier for you to see clearly, especially in bright sunlight.

What tends to happen is your polarized sunglasses do their job by only allowing light to pass through vertically. Meanwhile, your phone screen emits horizontally vibrating light while blocking vertical light.

The solution is simple: Rotate your tablet or phone screen by 90 degrees. This trick usually works because it positions your screen’s polarizing filters so they block light waves traveling in the same direction as your polarized sunglasses, allowing light to pass through.

Newer smartphone and computer screens have found ways to compensate for this issue, but you may still notice a darker screen when wearing polarized sunglasses with an older model screen.

In some cases, you may need to view LCDs on an instrument panel that can’t be rotated. This can be true for boaters and pilots who must be able to read instrumentation quickly and accurately to ensure their safety. For this reason, you should avoid wearing polarized sunglasses in these circumstances.

Polarized lenses also can interfere with your ability to see and read the displays on gas pumps and ATMs. To see more clearly when filling your tank or withdrawing money, remove your sunglasses when performing these tasks.

Any reputable eyewear retailer (brick-and-mortar store or online shop) will provide accurate labeling on sunglasses they offer, so you should be able to tell at a glance whether those sunglasses you’re considering have polarized lenses.

Hold the sunglasses in a way that allows you to look through both pairs of lenses at the same time. Rotate one pair of sunglasses by 90 degrees. If all light is blocked when passing through both pairs, then your older sunglasses probably have polarized lenses.

You also can test your sunglasses by looking at an LCD screen while wearing them. Just remember to rotate the device 90 degrees to make sure you’re checking for a polarizing filter that blocks light traveling either horizontally or vertically.

ARE YOUR SUNGLASSES POLARIZED? If not, it might be time for a new pair. Shop for polarized sunglasses at an optical store near you or an online eyewear retailer

When designing a Liquid Crystal Display, including character, graphic and segment displays, a LCD display polarizer needs to be selected that will optimize the ambient lighting conditions the display will operate in.

The primary job function of a LCD display polarizer is to improve definition, color and to control how light is reflected, transflected or transmitted; without the polarizer it would be impossible to read the display.

An illustration of a Liquid Crystal Displays is like a sandwich. Take two pieces of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) treated glass, add a little adhesive to hold them together then fill the void between the layers with a twisted nematic fluid such as a TN, STN, FSTN or UWVD.

Applying the two polarizers is the next step: One polarizer is applied to the top layer of glass; this must always be a Transmissive polarizer. The second polarizer is located on the back of the bottom layer of glass (farthest away from the person reading the LCD). This polarizer is selectable by the designer.

There is no difference in cost or lead time of the three polarizers; one variable that does affect the cost of the LCD module is the size of the glass.

This article on choosing an LCD display polarizer is a guest journal from: John Keenan, MicroReady Inc., Electronic Product Design located in Phoenix, AZ.

The environment for the average multifunction display as well as the small size of the marine retail market create challenges for electronics engineers. But know this: The companies that make our fish finders have performed miracles, taking industrial-grade LCD screens and creating superb waterproof displays.

In addition, display brightness, glare reduction and screen engineering have improved, all to provide crisp sonar, radar, and chart views to selective and astute boating anglers.

IPS-display technology ­first appeared in 1996, when it was developed by Hitachi to solve the problems inherent in most common LCDs that use a twisted-nematic, or TN, design. Those problems included the TN’s reduced viewing angles — difficulty seeing the screen from either side, above or below — and color reproduction.

Furuno’s NavPilot 711C autopilot and FI70 instrument series employ IPS displays. The company says there’s a place for both types of panels based on use.

But while everyone agrees that the popularity of IPS will grow because it does offer some benefits, not everyone believes that the visible difference — from the viewer’s perspective — is overly compelling, particularly since it still costs more than TN.

In fact, Raymarine’s smaller 7- and 9-inch Axiom MFDs feature a TN panel but still affirm 70-degree viewing angles from the bottom, right and left, and a 60-degree viewing angle from the top. At some point along the viewing arc, the angler can’t interpret or read the screen.

Humminbird’s new Solix MFDs use twisted-nematic LCDs. “It’s a value proposition,” says Humminbird brand manager Ray Schaffart. “We could decide to go that route when we think the value is there. We haven’t heard anything that made us want to switch over to that. We’ve focused our technology on meeting the needs of anglers.”

Humminbird also puts more of a stake in brightness; the company’s newest multifunction displays are rated at 1,500 nits. The industry standard is 1,200 to 1,500. “Screen brightness is the one factor that can fight polarization the best. If the screen is so bright, it doesn’t matter how polarized the glasses are,” says Justin Freeman, Humminbird product designer.

Polarization remains a bugaboo with any sort of display screen, whether it’s IPS or TN, says Raymarine marketing manager Jim McGowan. Multifunction-display makers use polarizing film as a layer within the display screen to reduce glare. But when anglers wear polarized sunglasses and look at a display, the screen ­sometimes blacks out at different angles.

Some say IPS maintains an ­advantage in that scenario: Where you might tilt your head at only a slight angle to experience blackout using sunglasses to view a TN screen, Thomas says, you’ll have to tilt your head farther to see the same effect from an IPS display.

Among Raymarine’s new Axiom series, the ­12-inch version (far right) features an IPS panel. The company’s new Axiom Pro models — introduced in July in 9-, 12- and 16-inch versions — all feature IPS. The 7- and 9-inch Axioms use a TN display. The smaller units still offer 60- and 70-degree viewing angles.

Sunglasses makers design lenses to be vertically polarized to cut the glare from the water’s surface, McGowan says. “We make sure the image coming out of the MFD is anything other than vertically polarized.”

All LCD panels must be lit from behind to display data. Today’s units use LED backlighting; previously they used fluorescent light. LEDs offer improved energy efficiency and generate less heat.

Today’s displays also feature optical bonding. “We take the LCD panel and glue it to the front glass window using optical-grade clear epoxy,” McGowan says. “The air gap between LCD and window is completely filled. … Without the epoxy, there is technically a refraction of the light every time it passes through a different medium,” such as LCD glass, air gap, polarizing film, front window glass. “Bonded displays have colors that look really, really vibrant. The overall look is exceptionally crisp.”

Garmin included IPS panels in its premium GPSMAP 8600 series. But with the prices dropping for that new technology, there’s a strong possibility that more models will use it, the company says.

Kauzlaric says there’s a place for both IPS and twisted-nematic designs going forward; Furuno determines the best technology for the application. In addition, expect to see an enhancement in Furuno’s next version of TZtouch2 software that creates a viewing-angle menu selection. Anglers will be able to adjust the color temperature of the LCD to make it easier to see the display from any angle.

TN stands for twisted nematic. This is a type of LED (a form of LCD) panel display technology. TN panels are characterized as being the fastest and cheapest among the other main types of display panels, VA (vertical alignment)and IPS (in-plane switching). As such, they work great for gaming monitors and gaming laptops. However, TN panels also offer the worst viewing angles and color when compared to VA and IPS panels.

Glass substrate useS electrodes. The electrodes" shapes decide which dark shapes will display when the monitor is on. Vertical ridges are carved onto the surface, so liquid crystals line up with the polarized light.

PerformanceFastest: low response times, highest refresh rates, minimal motion blur; Low input lagLongest response times typically; Higher refresh rates possibleSlower response times than TN, faster response times than VA; Gaming-quality refresh rates are rare

DisplayWorst viewing angles;Worst colorViewing angles typically better than TN, worse than IPS; Good color; Best contrast;Best image depthBest viewing angles; Best color

More than a fashion accessory, sunglasses protect your vision and help you feel more comfortable in sunny and snowy conditions. Of course, you have to look for the right qualities, such as level of protection against ultraviolet (UV) light.

Some people want more than straightforward protection from UV rays. They also want sunglasses capable of blocking glare. Polarized glasses can do this better, but they do not always offer the same benefits as regular sunglasses.

Sunglasses help you see better in sunny conditions and can be particularly helpful in snow and near water. They protect your eyes against UV rays, which can harm your eyesight.

Buy sunglasses that offer 100 percent protection against UV rays.Inexpensive models can protect your eyes as much as costlier options, as long as they protect your eyes against all harmful UV rays.

Gradient sunglasses. These may be dark at the top but clear at the bottom. Some are dark at the top and bottom, and they may only be clear in the middle.

Polarized do not necessarily protect your eyes from UV rays. Instead, they make it more comfortable to see around things that reflect, such as windshields, pavement, snow, and water. Benefits of polarized lenses are:

People who enjoy fishing, are sensitive to light, or have had cataracts removed may benefit from polarized lenses as well. There are some situations where polarized lenses are not the best option.

If you need to see a digital screen clearly, such as when using an ATM or dashboard on an airplane, they are not a good option. Polarized lenses make it harder to see liquid crystal (LCD) displays.

If you are skiing or snowboarding downhill, avoid polarized lenses. Glare is a sign that you may be traveling in an icy area, so you don’t want that reduced.

Tinted and polarized glasses can look similar, but you can test whether a pair of glasses is truly polarized. Visit a retailer that sells polarized lenses, and follow these steps:

You can also optimize your polarized glasses if you have additional needs. Photochromic, or transition, lenses are helpful for people who spend a lot of time going in and out of bright or sunny areas. You can also get progressive (bifocal or trifocal) polarized sunglasses.

Polarized glasses tend to start at $25 and can cost up to $450 or more if you choose a designer label. A regular pair of sunglasses can cost about the same.

A regular pair of glasses should provide 100 percent protection from UV rays that could harm your sight. Bigger lenses can also protect your peripheral vision.

You usually need to check your pair of glasses using other polarized lenses. Visit a pharmacy or retailer that sells polarized glasses, and align yours at a 90-angle from the second pair of polarized lenses. They should turn black or almost black when you look through both of them.

Polarized lenses do not always fully protect against UV rays, but they are more comfortable to wear in the snow, an area with water, or where there is bright cement. This is why they are so popular with drivers, people who enjoy fishing or other aquatic activities, and people who spend time in the snow.

When searching for a liquid crystal display (LCD), consideration of the device’s display technology is essential. Screen technology companies such as Apple and Samsung search for the best possible display panels and panel technology in order to offer their customers the best image quality. In competitive gaming, gaming monitors must be able to provide great image quality but also fast refresh rates so that gamers can play at a fast pace.

Before diving into how exactly liquid crystals affect display features, it is necessary to understand their general role in an LCD monitor. LCD technology is not capable of illuminating itself, so it requires a backlight. The liquid crystals are responsible for transmitting the light from backlight to the computer monitor surface in a manner determined by the signals received. They do so by essentially moving the light differently through the layer’s molecular matrix when the liquid crystals are oriented or aligned in a certain manner, a process which is controlled by the LCD cell’s electrodes and their electric currents.

The methods of alignment, however, can vary between panel types, offering different features and benefits. Two common and popular liquid crystal alignment techniques are twisted nematic (TN) and in-plane switching(IPS).

TN panels offer the cheapest method of crystal alignment. They also are the most common of the alignment methods and have been used for quite a long time in the display industry, including in cathode ray tubes (CRTs) that preceded the LCD.

In TN displays, the electrodes are positioned on either side of the liquid crystal layer. When a current is sent between the back and front electrode, something called an electric field is created that shifts and manipulates the orientation of the molecular matrix.

If no electric field is applied to the specific cell, the crystals experience a 90 degree twist in the alignment. As light from the backlight passes through this twist, the light waves are polarized, allowing them to pass through the polarizer that sits on the surface of the TN monitor.

If an electric field is applied, it can either untwist the TN liquid crystal layer partially or in full, depending on the strength of the field. The structure of TN crystals will typically straighten out when this happens, and some, if not all, light waves will not be polarized properly to pass through to the surface.

Each LCD cell composes a pixel of the display, and in each pixel are subpixels. These subpixels use standard red green blue (sRGB) colors to create a variety of colors to make the pixel display the necessary color to play its role in the overall display. If beneath the subpixel the liquid crystal fully polarizes the light, that subpixel’s specific color would be very bright in the pixel as a whole. But if the light is not polarized at all, then that color will not show up. If partially polarized, only a limited amount of that color is used in the mixture of RGB colors in the final pixel.

A more complex method of alignment is IPS. IPS monitors, unlike the TN, place both electrodes on the same level, behind the liquid crystal layer. When the electric field is applied, this forces the liquid crystal molecules to align themselves parallel to the IPS device layers instead of perpendicularly like the TN molecules.

Opposite of the TN, when the electric field is applied, IPS technology will polarize the light to pass, whereas when the electric field is not applied, the light will not be polarized to pass. Because of the orientation of the crystals, IPS displays require brighter, more powerful backlights in order to produce the correct amount of brightness for the display.

An important consideration is viewing angles. The TN offers only a limited viewing angle, especially limited from vertical angle shifts, and so color reproduction at these angles will likely not look the same as from a straight-on viewing; the TN’s colors may invert at extreme angles. The IPS counters that and allows for greater and better viewing angles that consequently offer better color reproduction at these angles than the TN. There is one issue with extreme viewing angles for IPS devices: IPS glow. This occurs when the backlight shines through the display at very wide angles, but typically is not an issue unless a device is looked at from the side.

In terms of color, as mentioned, TN devices do not have very strong color reproduction compared to other alignment technologies. Without strong color reproduction, color banding can become visible, contrast ratio can suffer, and accurate colors may not be produced. Color gamut, or the range of colors that the device can reproduce and display, is another feature that most TN displays do not excel in. This means that the full sRGB spectrum is not accessible. IPS devices, on the other hand, have good quality black color reproductions, allowing the device to achieve a deeper, richer display, but it is still not the best option if a customer is in search of high contrast (discussed further in a couple more paragraphs).

While TNs may not have the best color quality, they allow for high refresh rates (how often a new image is updated per second), often around 240 Hz. They also have the lowest input lag (receiving of signals from external controllers) at about one millisecond. TN panels often attract gamers because of the need for minimal lag and fast refresh rates in a competitive or time-sensitive setting. In consideration of moving displays like in video game displays, it is also important for fast response times (how fast a pixel can change from one amount of lighting to another). The lower the response time (the higher the response rate), the less motion blur will be shown as the display changes to show motion. TNs also offer these low response times, but it is important to remember that a powerful graphics processing unit, commonly called a GPU, is still needed to push these displays to meet the fastest refresh and response rates.

Another common consideration of customers is the price of each display. TN, though it does not offer as high quality of a display, offers the lowest cost and best moving displays, making it useful if the intended use of the LCD monitor is simple and not too demanding. However, if you intend for something that calls for better color production or viewing angles, the IPS and other methods are viable choices, but at much higher costs. Even though IPS motion displays have reached the speed and rates of TNs, the price for such technology is much more expensive than the TN option.

There are other options besides the TN and IPS. One option is known as vertical alignment (VA) and it allows for the best color accuracy and color gamut. Compared to a typical IPS contrast ratio of 1000:1, VA panels can often have ratios of 3000:1 or even 6000:1. Besides improved contrast ratio, the VA is in between the TN and IPS. To compare the TN vs IPS vs VA, the VA does not have as great a viewing angle as IPS but not as poor as the TN. Its response times are slower than TN but faster than IPS (though at fast refresh rates, the VA displays often suffer from ghosting and motion blur). Due to the contrast ratio benefits, VA technologies are most often desirable for TVs.

And lastly, there is an option quite similar to IPS that is called plane to line switching (PLS). It is only produced by Samsung, who claims the PLS offers better brightness and contrast ratios than the IPS, uses less energy, and is cheaper to manufacture (but because it is only created by Samsung, it is hard to judge pricing). It also has potential in creating flexible displays.

When it comes todisplay technologies such asprojectorsand panels, factors such as resolution and refresh rate are often discussed. But the underlying technology is equally, if not more, important. There are tons of different types of screens, from OLED and LED to TN, VA, and IPS. Learn about the various monitor and television types, from operation to pros and cons!

The most common form of monitor or TV on the market is LCD or Liquid Crystal Display. As the name suggests, LCDs use liquid crystals that alter the light to generate a specific colour. So some form of backlighting is necessary. Often, it’s LED lighting. But there are multiple forms of backlighting.

LCDs have utilized CCFLs or cold cathode fluorescent lamps. An LCD panel lit with CCFL backlighting benefits from extremely uniform illumination for a pretty even level of brightness across the entire screen. However, this comes at the expense of picture quality. Unlike an LED TV, cold cathode fluorescent lamp LCD monitors lack dimming capabilities. Since the brightness level is even throughout the entire array, a darker portion of scenes might look overly lit or washed out. While that might not be as obvious in a room filled with ambient light, under ideal movie-watching conditions, or in a dark room, it’s noticeable. LED TVs have mostly replaced CCFL.

An LCD panel is transmissive rather than emissive. Composition depends on the specific form of LCD being used, but generally, pixels are made up of subpixel layers that comprise the RGB (red-green-blue) colour spectrum and control the light that passes through. A backlight is needed, and it’s usually LED for modern monitors.

Please note that some of the mentioned types may be considered a sub-category of LCD TVs; therefore, some of the names may vary depending on the manufacturer and the market.

1)Film layer that polarizes light entering2)glass substrate that dictates the dark shapes when the LCD screen is on3)Liquid crystal layer4)glass substrate that lines up with the horizontal filter5)Horizontal film filter letting light through or blocking it6)Reflective surface transmitting an image to the viewer

While many newer TVs and monitors are marketed as LED TVs, it’s sort of the same as an LCD TV. Whereas LCD refers to a display type, LED points to the backlighting in liquid crystal display instead. As such, LED TV is a subset of LCD. Rather than CCFLs, LEDs are light-emitting diodes or semiconductor light sources which generate light when a current passes through.

LED TVs boast several different benefits. Physically, LED television tends to be slimmer than CCFL-based LCD panels, and viewing angles are generally better than on non-LED LCD monitors. So if you’re at an angle, the picture remains relatively clear nonetheless. LEDs are alsoextremely long-lasting as well as more energy-efficient. As such, you can expect a lengthy lifespan and low power draw. Chances are you’ll upgrade to a new telly, or an internal part will go out far before any LEDs cease functioning.

Ultimately, the choice between LED vs VA or any other display technology will depend on your specific needs and preferences, including things like size, resolution, brightness, and colour accuracy.

Further segmenting LED TVs down, you"ll find TN panels. A TN or twisted nematic display is a type of LED TV that offers a low-cost solution with a low response time and low input lag.

These displays are known for their high refresh rates, ranging from 100Hz to 144Hz or higher. As a result, many monitors marketed towards gamers feature TN technology. The fast response time and low input lag make them ideal for fast-paced action and gaming. However, TN panels have some limitations.

Overall, while TN panels are an affordable and fast option, they may not be the best choice for those looking for accurate colour reproduction and wide viewing angles.

Like TN, IPS or In-plane Switching displays are a subset of LED panels. IPS monitors tend to boast accurate colour reproduction and great viewing angles. Price is higher than on TN monitors, but in-plane switching TVs generally feature a better picture when compared with twisted nematic sets. Latency and response time can be higher on IPS monitors meaning not all are ideal for gaming.

An IPS display aligns liquid crystals in parallel for lush colours. Polarizing filters have transmission axes aligned in the same direction. Because the electrode alignment differs from TN panels, black levels, viewing angles, and colour accuracy is much better. TN liquid crystals are perpendicular.

A VA or vertical alignment monitor is a type of LED monitor that features excellent contrast ratios, colour reproduction, and viewing angles. This is achieved by using crystals that are perpendicular to the polarizers at right angles, similar to the technology used in TN monitors. VA monitors are known for their deep blacks and vibrant colours, making them popular for media consumption and gaming.

They also have better viewing angles than TN monitors, meaning that the picture quality remains consistent when viewed from different angles. However, the response time of a VA monitor is not as fast as that of a TN monitor, which can be a concern for those looking to use the monitor for fast-paced action or gaming.

The pricing of VA monitors varies, but they are typically more expensive than TN monitors and less costly than IPS or OLED monitors. Overall, VA monitors are an excellent option for those looking for a balance between good picture quality and affordability.

A quantum dot LED TV or QLED is yet another form of LED television. But it’s drastically different from other LED variants. Whereas most LED panels use a white backlight, quantum dot televisions opt for blue lights. In front of these blue LEDs sits a thin layer of quantum dots. These quantum dots in a screen glow at specific wavelengths of colour, either red, green, or blue, therefore comprising the entire RGB (red-green-blue) colour spectrum required to create a colour TV image.

An OLED or organic light-emitting diode display isn’t another variation of LED. OLEDs use negatively and positively charged ions for illuminating individual pixels. By contrast, LCD/LED TVs use a backlight that can make an unwanted glow. In OLED display, there are several layers, including a substrate, an anode, a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, an emissive layer, a blocking layer, an electron transport layer, and a cathode. The emissive layer, comprised of an electroluminescent layer of film, is nestled between an electron-injecting cathode and an electron removal layer, the anode. OLEDs benefit from darker blacks and eschew any unwanted screen glow. Because OLED panels are made up of millions of individual subpixels, the pixels themselves emit light, and it’s, therefore, an emissive display as opposed to a transmissive technology like LCD/LED panels where a backlight is required behind the pixels themselves.

The image quality is top-notch. OLED TVs feature superb local dimming capabilities. The contrast ratio is unrivalled, even by the best of QLEDs, since pixels not used may be turned off. There’s no light bleed, black levels are incredible, excellent screen uniformity, and viewing angles don’t degrade the picture. Unfortunately, this comes at a cost. OLEDs are pricey, and the image isn’t as bright overall when compared to LED panels. For viewing in a darkened room, that’s fine, but ambient lighting isn’t ideal for OLED use.

As you can see, a wide variety of displays are available on the market today, each with their unique advantages and disadvantages. While many monitors and TVs are referred to by various names, such as LED, IPS, VA, TN, or QLED, many are variations of LCD panels. The specific technology used in a display, such as the colour of backlighting and the alignment of pixels, plays a major role in determining the overall picture quality.

IPS (in-plane switching) is a screen technology for liquid-crystal displays (LCDs). In IPS, a layer of liquid crystals is sandwiched between two glass surfaces. The liquid crystal molecules are aligned parallel to those surfaces in predetermined directions (in-plane). The molecules are reoriented by an applied electric field, whilst remaining essentially parallel to the surfaces to produce an image. It was designed to solve the strong viewing angle dependence and low-quality color reproduction of the twisted nematic field effect (TN) matrix LCDs prevalent in the late 1980s.

The TN method was the only viable technology for active matrix TFT LCDs in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Early panels showed grayscale inversion from up to down,Vertical Alignment (VA)—that could resolve these weaknesses and were applied to large computer monitor panels.

Shortly thereafter, Hitachi of Japan filed patents to improve this technology. A leader in this field was Katsumi Kondo, who worked at the Hitachi Research Center.thin-film transistor array as a matrix and to avoid undesirable stray fields in between pixels.Super IPS). NEC and Hitachi became early manufacturers of active-matrix addressed LCDs based on the IPS technology. This is a milestone for implementing large-screen LCDs having acceptable visual performance for flat-panel computer monitors and television screens. In 1996, Samsung developed the optical patterning technique that enables multi-domain LCD. Multi-domain and in-plane switching subsequently remain the dominant LCD designs through 2006.

IPS technology is widely used in panels for TVs, tablet computers, and smartphones. In particular, most IBM products was marketed as CCFL backlighting, and all Apple Inc. products marketed with the label backlighting since 2010.

Most panels also support true 8-bit-per-channel colour. These improvements came at the cost of a lower response time, initially about 50 ms. IPS panels were also extremely expensive.

In this case, both linear polarizing filters P and A have their axes of transmission in the same direction. To obtain the 90 degree twisted nematic structure of the LC layer between the two glass plates without an applied electric field (OFF state), the inner surfaces of the glass plates are treated to align the bordering LC molecules at a right angle. This molecular structure is practically the same as in TN LCDs. However, the arrangement of the electrodes e1 and e2 is different. Because they are in the same plane and on a single glass plate, they generate an electric field essentially parallel to this plate. The diagram is not to scale: the LC layer is only a few micrometers thick and so is very small compared with the distance between the electrodes.

The LC molecules have a positive dielectric anisotropy and align themselves with their long axis parallel to an applied electrical field. In the OFF state (shown on the left), entering light L1 becomes linearly polarized by polarizer P. The twisted nematic LC layer rotates the polarization axis of the passing light by 90 degrees, so that ideally no light passes through polarizer A. In the ON state, a sufficient voltage is applied between electrodes and a corresponding electrical field E is generated that realigns the LC molecules as shown on the right of the diagram. Here, light L2 can pass through polarizer A.

In practice, other schemes of implementation exist with a different structure of the LC molecules – for example without any twist in the OFF state. As both electrodes are on the same substrate, they take more space than TN matrix electrodes. This also reduces contrast and brightness.

Unlike TN LCDs, IPS panels do not lighten or show tailing when touched. This is important for touch-screen devices, such as smartphones and tablet computers.

Toward the end of 2010 Samsung Electronics introduced Super PLS (Plane-to-Line Switching) with the intent of providing an alternative to the popular IPS technology which is primarily manufactured by LG Display. It is an "IPS-type" panel technology, and is very similar in performance features, specs and characteristics to LG Display"s offering. Samsung adopted PLS panels instead of AMOLED panels, because in the past AMOLED panels had difficulties in realizing full HD resolution on mobile devices. PLS technology was Samsung"s wide-viewing angle LCD technology, similar to LG Display"s IPS technology.

In 2012 AU Optronics began investment in their own IPS-type technology, dubbed AHVA. This should not be confused with their long standing AMVA technology (which is a VA-type technology). Performance and specs remained very similar to LG Display"s IPS and Samsung"s PLS offerings. The first 144 Hz compatible IPS-type panels were produced in late 2014 (used first in early 2015) by AUO, beating Samsung and LG Display to providing high refresh rate IPS-type panels.

Baker, Simon (30 April 2011). "Panel Technologies: TN Film, MVA, PVA and IPS Explained". Tftcentral.co.uk. Archived from the original on 29 June 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2012.

Therefore, in the mid-1990s, a new type of LCD monitor was introduced, one that picked up the slack and offered far more advanced performance functionality than its predecessor. In-plane switching (IPS) displays have taken LCD monitors to a whole new level by expanding their applications into various mediums that were otherwise not possible.

In a previousarticle, we discussed using IPS display technology for a variety of different applications and the most important factors that should be considered when choosing a display for your needs. IPS LCD panels and monitors use perfectly aligned liquid crystals that form a parallel pattern to produce bold colours and onscreen colour contrast.

Here’s a brief overview of the different types of IPS displays.Twisted nematic (TN)were the first IPS LCD monitors on the market in the early 1980s. They consist of nematic liquid crystals that are suspended between two plates of polarized glass.

Vertical alignment (VA)LCD monitors have incredible colour contrast and image depth because their crystals are vertically aligned and move into a horizontal position to let light shine through.

In-plane switching (IPS)monitors are the most prevalent type of LCD display of all. IPS LCD display technology is capable of depicting excellent picture quality from all viewing angles along with superior colour contrast.

Featuring 8-bit RGB colour depth, IPS panels can reproduce over 16 million different colours, making it the ideal choice for professional applications that require detailed colour compositions.

IPS displays also boast incredibly wide viewing angles to complement their excellent colour reproduction and composition capabilities. This is just one of many reasons that IPS screens are a major improvement on TN panels. IPS screens can be comfortably viewed from virtually any angle without limiting or compromising the image quality, whereas TN screens can only be viewed head-on.

IPS LCD displays also boast far superior sunlight visibility and readability than other displays. Even under extremely bright and harsh natural or artificial lighting conditions, IPS displays maintain clear visibility and readability without interruption. This is made possible by high-quality backlighting combined with superior colour reproduction and viewing angle capabilities that the other abovementioned screens lack. For instance, TN panels have limited colour depth and therefore poor visibility in direct sunlight and strong lighting conditions.

IPS displays generally have a longer lifespan than TN panels; however, the components of the latter are a lot easier and more cost-effective to reproduce in the long-term. The best option depends on the applications for which they’re being used and under what circumstances. TN panels tend to have a faster response time than IPS and VA displays combined, making them the ideal choice for gamers.

As mentioned, however, IPS panels are more commonly used for professional applications that demand the utmost image quality and convenience. Although they have a lower upfront cost, TN panels need to be replaced more frequently. IPS panels, on the other hand, are the better long-term investment for freelancers because they have a longer lifespan.

TN displays have a much faster response time than IPS panels. This is the main reason that gamers typically prefer the former over the latter. Slow response times translate to a lot of lagging as well as increased motion blur which can be a major distraction and diminish the quality of the gaming experience.

Of course, the importance of the response times depends on the type of gamer you are. Shooter and fantasy games that rely on fast response times for pacing and to maintain the image quality of the game are better equipped with TN panels, but for other types of gaming IPS displays could suffice.

Due to the fact that IPS LCD displays have a far better colour depth than TN panels, they also have a superior contrast ratio. However, IPS displays aren’t necessarily the crème de la crème in this regard. More accurately, they fall somewhere in the middle. If you’re looking for a screen with an excellent or the best contrast ratio, then VA displays are your best choice.

Another disadvantage of IPS displays is that they consume power inefficiently compared to their counterparts. On average, IPS displays need about 15% more battery power than TN panels, which are suitable for battery-operated low-power devices. Additionally, IPS panels require stronger backlighting to function at all times to maintain a standard level of display clarity, which can eat up more battery power.

You"re likely reading this article on a liquid crystal display (LCD). "LCD" refers to any display type that uses liquid crystals, including TN, IPS, and VA (which we"ll get into shortly). Even an old-school calculator or digital watch can use an LCD. But a simple "LCD" designation doesn"t tell you how a screen will perform. You need more information, like the backlight type the panel uses—usually LED, followed by the more expensive Mini LED.

LCDs long ago ousted cathode ray tube (CRT) and plasma displays as the dominant consumer display tech. In the past, it was common to find LCDs with cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) backlights, but most LCD displays today use LED backlights (more on that below).

TN, IPS, and VA are the three primary types of LCD displays you"ll find in TVs, monitors, and laptops. They all vary in how they use their liquid crystals. Each could warrant its own article, but we"ll keep it simple here by focusing on the differences you can expect to see in real life. Advertisement

It"s easier to reach high refresh rates and low response times with TN displays, although pricier IPS and VA are catching up. It"s worth noting that the upcoming Asus ROG Swift 500 Hz Gaming Monitor, which should be the fastest monitor on the market, purportedly achieves its refresh rate via an "E-TN" panel that claims 60 percent better response times than regular TN. So while you can buy a supremely fast IPS (up to 360 Hz) or VA monitor, TN is still the technology pushing the limits of refresh rates.

VA panels excel in contrast, which is often considered the most important factor in image quality. VA monitors commonly have contrasts of 3,000:1, while a typical IPS comes in at 1,000:1. IPS Black displays, which started coming out this year, claim to double the contrast of typical IPS monitors to up to 2,000:1. We reviewed the IPS Black-equipped Dell UltraSharp U2723QE, and the difference was noticeable.

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