TN, S-IPS, MVA, PVA... how to tell?

tjc

tjc

tjc

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Hi.

How do I tell if a monitor is TN, S-IPS, MVA, PVA as none of the specs I`ve looked at seem to tell you. I`ve read that anything but TN should be o.k, especially for gaming but would like some clarification on this if poss... :)

I`m thinking about the Samsung SM - 205BW 20" widescreen LCD 1680 x 1050 16.7 million colours so if anyone can just tell me what this is that would be cool...

Thanks. :)
 
Thanks for the reply...

Bummer `bout the 205 using TN, thought it might have been one of the others.

Ta for the link. :)
 
I had a tn panel and moved to a S-IPS and the difference is astonishing, well worth the extra money imo, far better viewing angles, more vibrant colours very happy with mine.
 
tjc said:
How do I tell if a monitor is TN, S-IPS, MVA, PVA as none of the specs I`ve looked at seem to tell you. I`ve read that anything but TN should be o.k, especially for gaming but would like some clarification on this if poss... :)
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The main weakness of TN+Film technology is the limited viewing angles, but in terms of response time they're all nice and quick and they usually have less lag than other panel types. So if the limited viewing angles don't bother you then a TN would be a good choice for gaming. The better viewing angles of MVA/IPS/PVA are easier to live with IMO since I owned a couple of TN monitors and found the viewing angles quite annoying. Of course you pay more for those better panels though.

Best way to identify panel types is to ask here, but failing that look for viewing angle specs. It's only a rough guide but viewing angles of around 160 degrees or less will be TN, whereas if they're close to 180 then it'll be IPS/MVA/PVA.
 
fish99 said:
The main weakness of TN+Film technology is the limited viewing angles, but in terms of response time they're all nice and quick and they usually have less lag than other panel types. So if the limited viewing angles don't bother you then a TN would be a good choice for gaming. The better viewing angles of MVA/IPS/PVA are easier to live with IMO since I owned a couple of TN monitors and found the viewing angles quite annoying. Of course you pay more for those better panels though.

Best way to identify panel types is to ask here, but failing that look for viewing angle specs. It's only a rough guide but viewing angles of around 160 degrees or less will be TN, whereas if they're close to 180 then it'll be IPS/MVA/PVA.
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Thanks for this info, much obliged. :)
I think limited viewing angles would bother me so I`ll try and find myself a S-IPS, MVA, PVA... very usefull little tip `bout the 160 - 180 degrees etc...

Cheers. ;)
 
Jabbs said:
I had a tn panel and moved to a S-IPS and the difference is astonishing, well worth the extra money imo, far better viewing angles, more vibrant colours very happy with mine.
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Yeh I think I`ll be giving the TN`s a miss mate...

Would you mind me asking what monitor you have now?

Hope not...

Thanks.
 
I have a Dell Ultrasharp 2007WFP 20" Widescreen and ignore the 16ms stated by dell as the Phillips panel it uses is rated at 8ms, and i can't say ive noticed any ghosting etc of any kind, and don't be pushed to much with faster tn panels as stated already by some peeps in here think it was Gibbo or baddass, they use overdrive technology which can cause problems in games/movies etc.

My previous panel was a Dell E207WFP 20" Widescreen which was a nice screen also just the viewing angles annoyed me, i like to slouch and relax in chair typing and i found on this screen the angles just didn't allow it and with only minimal head movements i could see the quality of image changing, i also noticed the top of the screen always seemed darker than the bottom, ive had another tn panel and had the exact same thing most annoying.

I took the plunge spent the extra and it was a wise choice, loads of extra inputs including 4 usb ports, and no probs with angles or different shades at top to bottom of screen.
 
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tjc said:
Hi.

How do I tell if a monitor is TN, S-IPS, MVA, PVA as none of the specs I`ve looked at seem to tell you. I`ve read that anything but TN should be o.k, especially for gaming but would like some clarification on this if poss... :)

I`m thinking about the Samsung SM - 205BW 20" widescreen LCD 1680 x 1050 16.7 million colours so if anyone can just tell me what this is that would be cool...

Thanks. :)
Click to expand...

as Fish99 said earlier, TN Film panels are good for gaming. Don't get the technologies confused :) check out this article which tells all!
 
Baddass said:
as Fish99 said earlier, TN Film panels are good for gaming. Don't get the technologies confused :) check out this article which tells all!
Click to expand...

Cheers Baddass. :)

Fish99 did say TN Film panels are good for gaming, but they also have poor viewing angles and I think this may be a snag for me...

Mmm... I`m really unsure what to go for lol.

Ta for the guide, very handy.

:)
 
Well my other dell was a tn and this new one a sips and i can't honestly see any difference in gaming, i play fps/rts/racing games.

The one thing you will find there isn't one tft that is perfect, they all have pros and cons.
 
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tjc said:
Cheers Baddass. :)

Fish99 did say TN Film panels are good for gaming, but they also have poor viewing angles and I think this may be a snag for me...

Mmm... I`m really unsure what to go for lol.

Ta for the guide, very handy.

:)
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well depends on what you're going to use it for really. See a TN Fillm panel in a shop if you can, should help give you an idea. For most average users, and esp first time buyers, i dont think they'd have any real problems with TN Film really. The Samsung SM205BW is actually a very good TN panel in terms of viewing angles I found, a fair bit wider than other TN Film models I've tested. A decent screen given the price
 
Baddass said:
well depends on what you're going to use it for really. See a TN Fillm panel in a shop if you can, should help give you an idea. For most average users, and esp first time buyers, i dont think they'd have any real problems with TN Film really. The Samsung SM205BW is actually a very good TN panel in terms of viewing angles I found, a fair bit wider than other TN Film models I've tested. A decent screen given the price
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The main thing the monitor will be used for is gaming (apart from normal pc use, obviousely) but in the near future I`ll be doing some photo editing aswell.

Unfortunately I can`t pop into a shop to get a look at any, as there are none up here mate... :( I`ll need to send away for one, hence all the questions and need for advice/info...

I really like the look of the Samsung SM205BW and it`s good to hear what you think, especially `bout the angles etc, but was just a little put of by this TN m`larky...

As I say, coz I`ve gotta send away for it I want it to be the right one... :)

Thanks again Baddass... help/info much appreciated.
 
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Baddass said:
no probs mate. what's your budget and any other models you may have narrowed it down to?
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Budget (Or limit lol) for the monitor is £200. I`d really like to keep it at that and not much more.

Apart from the Samsung 205 I keep coming back to the DELL E207WFP 20" widescreen LCD - 16.7 million colours 1680 x 1050 8-bit (I think)

Have occasionally come back to the Samsung SM - 206BW 20" 1680 x 1050 ( but that`s a liitle bit more expensive...)

Also was told `bout the AOC 223VW 22" widescreen 1680 x 1050 (Viewing angles of 170-160 degrees) but have no price for this one...

Ahh man... I`m seein` monitors in my sleep Lol...

If you have any info/advice/suggestions please feel free.

Thanks again. :)
 
The dell you will get a dvi cable included also with the vga, not sure on the other models and you get 4 years warranty.

I doubt there is very much between the rest using TN panels, i was happy with the E207wfp, maybe am a bit more fussy than you with the angles but i can vouch its a nice monitor i had it for about 1 month.

Maybe what you need is some users of the panels you stated above to kindly post some pics showing these angles, maybe help you out abit deciding.
 
tjc said:
Budget (Or limit lol) for the monitor is £200. I`d really like to keep it at that and not much more.

Apart from the Samsung 205 I keep coming back to the DELL E207WFP 20" widescreen LCD - 16.7 million colours 1680 x 1050 8-bit (I think)

Have occasionally come back to the Samsung SM - 206BW 20" 1680 x 1050 ( but that`s a liitle bit more expensive...)

Also was told `bout the AOC 223VW 22" widescreen 1680 x 1050 (Viewing angles of 170-160 degrees) but have no price for this one...

Ahh man... I`m seein` monitors in my sleep Lol...

If you have any info/advice/suggestions please feel free.

Thanks again. :)
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well with the budget you're limited to TN Film anyway really. The Dell E207WFP is still a 6-bit panel but uses FRC to produce a 16.7 million colour palette, as does the Samsung SM205BW. There are no TRUE 8-bit TN Film panels afaik yet, despite some conclusions being drawn on some forums. some more info on that situation here which is an intersting read.

I doubt you'd see much real difference in practice between the Dell and Samsung tbh, both are very similar in spec and technology. Maybe choose based on functionality, looks, price...that's always a good bet in situations like this.

The only non TN possibility is perhaps the Belinea 102030W, at about £225. It's using P-MVA panel technology from AUO, so offers some nice improvements in some areas compared with TN models. Worth a look, there's a heap of user info and review links in the sticky about it too :)
 
Jabbs said:
The dell you will get a dvi cable included also with the vga, not sure on the other models and you get 4 years warranty.

I doubt there is very much between the rest using TN panels, i was happy with the E207wfp, maybe am a bit more fussy than you with the angles but i can vouch its a nice monitor i had it for about 1 month.

Maybe what you need is some users of the panels you stated above to kindly post some pics showing these angles, maybe help you out abit deciding.
Click to expand...

Cheers Jabbs... noticed the DVI cable and 4yr warranty with the DELL... :)

Like your idea `bout users of the panels posting some pics though, if anyone would kindly do this I`d be very much obliged.

Thanks.
 
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