Still confused about panel tech

ebis · 27 Jan 2011 at 23:55

Hey,

So I keep reading that IPS provides superior image quality but with longer response times. How noticeable is this, especially in gaming?

I was looking for the highest quality 21.5 inch screen I could find for gaming and came across the Dell ultrasharp which is a IPS pannel but with 8 ms response time, and the Samsung LED series which has 2 ms response time but isnot IPS

cmndr_andi · 28 Jan 2011 at 00:03

Hi there,

I would suggest having a read of this, some good info on panel technologies.

As for response time - this is well worth a read.

Personally I have been gaming using IPS, VA and TN panels for several years - and in my experience modern IPS monitors (with overdrive implemented well) I have had no issues with ghosting in fast-paced games - indicating that even a quoted 8ms Grey to Grey response time is fine.

Here is an in-depth review of that dell. It is really nice but of kit - but I would strongly suggest paying the extra to get its 23in bigger brother - the U2311H.

ebis · 28 Jan 2011 at 02:21

Hey,

So I only just checked up the monitor i'm using at the moment (This) which apparently has a 25 ms response time, so I guess an 8 ms will be fine.

Also how important do you find the refresh rate is for gaming? I currently have this monitor at 75 Hz and saw some running at 120, but they were using TN again I think.

One last thing, what panels do Tv's usually use? because I used to play on my Samsung 37 inch tv, about 4 years old now I think, and did not notice any issues with input lag or ghosting on either pc or xbox. (I assume that must have been IPS because viewing angles were fine)

thanks,

cmndr_andi · 28 Jan 2011 at 03:08

At the moment (and most likely for some time to come) 120Hz monitors will need to use TN panels - as these are the only ones which can respond fast enough to refresh the image 120 times per second. Hence - if you want IPS and 120Hz, then you will be out of luck - it is one or the other.

As for whether it is important to have 120Hz in games - most people (including myself) do absolutely great with 60Hz and have no issues. However, others find 120Hz to be a big benefit. I would suggest you find a 120Hz monitor you can have a go with in a game and see if you can tell the difference.

TVs usually use VA panels (for better contrast ration and better black level), however some do use IPS panels. If you can tell me the model number of your Samsung, i'll be able to find out which.

PCM2 · 28 Jan 2011 at 10:31

If it's a Samsung TV it more than likely has a PVA panel of some description. Samsung don't tend to use IPS panels because they are predominantly manufactured by their major rival LG Display. To give you a good idea of what to expect from the U2211H when gaming I'd have a look at the subjective analysis presented here in the 'response times' section. Assuming your Samsung TV was indeed a PVA panel (as I suspect it was) the U2211H will be considerably more responsive. As a point of comparison we are currently reviewing the NEC MultiSync EA232WMi which is an IPS monitor with 14ms response time and no response time compensation technology. Trailing on this is generally less severe than even heavily overdriven VA panels.

ebis · 28 Jan 2011 at 20:32

I'm not sure what my old tv model number was so can't compare it.

After reading some more it seems that dell is an e-IPS pannel, which has less colour spread than a normal IPS panel I think.

It states it has 16.7 mil colours which is the same as that samsung TN panel, does this mean they will have the same colour representation?

PCM2 · 29 Jan 2011 at 10:02

The current E-IPS panels have a colour depth of 8-bits per pixel without dithering. Almost all TN panels have a colour depth of 6-bits per pixel (made up to 8-bits using dithering techniques) - so unlike the E-IPS panels they aren't true 8-bits per pixel. Some professional IPS monitors have greater colour depths but again this is often enhanced beyond their native colour support and moreover; you need specific graphics hardware and software to take advantage of it. You also have to consider the consistency, accuracy and range (gamut) of colours that a display can handle. Colours look a lot more 'distinct' on an E-IPS panel than on any TN panel and it's not just due to the colour depth per pixel.