What is a screen matrix? What is TFT


The monitor is perhaps one of the most basic elements of a computer: it determines whether your eyes will hurt after ten minutes of use, whether you can process the image correctly, and even whether you will be able to notice the enemy in time. computer game. And for more than 15 years of existence of liquid crystal monitors, the number of types of matrices has exceeded a dozen, and the price range is from several thousand to hundreds of thousands of rubles - and in this article we will figure out what types of matrices exist and which will be the best for a particular task.

TFT TN

The oldest type of matrix, which still occupies a significant market share and is not going to leave it. TN has not been on sale for a long time - mostly improved modifications are sold, TN+film: the improvement made it possible to increase horizontal viewing angles to 130-150 degrees, but with vertical ones everything is bad: even with a deviation of ten degrees, the colors begin to change, even inverting . In addition, most of these monitors do not cover even 70% of sRGB, which means they are not suitable for color correction. Another disadvantage is the rather low maximum brightness, usually it does not exceed 150 cd/m^2: this is only enough for indoor work.

It would seem that all TFT TN are hopelessly outdated and it’s time to write them off. However, not everything is so simple - these matrices have the shortest response time, and therefore are firmly established in the expensive gaming segment. It's no joke - the latency of the best TN does not exceed 1 ms, which in theory allows you to output as many as 1000 individual frames per second (in reality it is less, but this does not change the essence) - an excellent solution for an e-sportsman. Well, besides, in such matrices the brightness has reached 250-300 cd/m^2, and the color gamut at the very least corresponds to 80-90% sRGB: it’s not suitable for color correction anyway (viewing angles are small), but for games is the ideal solution. Alas, all these improvements have led to the fact that the cost of such monitors from $500 is just beginning, so it only makes sense to use them for those for whom minimal latency is critical.


Well, in the low price segment, TN is increasingly being replaced by MVA and IPS - the latter produce a much better picture, and cost literally 1-2 thousand more, so if possible, it is better to overpay for them.

TFT IPS

This type of matrix began its journey to the consumer market from phones, where the low viewing angles of TN-matrices greatly interfered with normal use. In the last few years, the price of IPS monitors has decreased significantly, and they can now be bought even in budget computer. These matrices have two main advantages: viewing angles reach almost 180 degrees both horizontally and vertically, and they usually have a good color gamut right out of the box - even monitors cheaper than 10 thousand rubles often have a profile with 100% sRGB coverage . But, alas, there are also a lot of disadvantages: low contrast, usually no higher than 1000:1, which is why black looks not like black, but like dark gray, and the so-called glow effect: when viewed from a certain angle, the matrix appears pinkish (or purple). Previously, there was also a problem with low response time - up to 40-50 ms (which made it possible to honestly display only 20-25 frames on the screen, the rest were blurred). However, now there is no such problem, and even cheap IPS matrices have a response time no higher than 4-6 ms, which allows you to easily output 100-150 frames - this is more than enough for any use, even gaming (without fanaticism with 120 fps, of course ).

There are many subtypes of IPS, let’s look at the main ones:

  • TFT S-IPS ( Super IPS) - the very first improvement of IPS: viewing angles and pixel response speed have been increased. It's been out of stock for a long time.
  • TFT H-IPS (Horizontal IPS) - almost never found on sale (only one model on Yandex.Market, and only from leftovers). This IPS type appeared in 2007 and, in comparison with S-IPS, the contrast has increased slightly, the screen surface looks more uniform.
  • TFT UH-IPS (Ultra Horizontal IPS) is an improved version of H-IPS. By reducing the size of the strip separating the subpixels, light transmission was increased by 18%. At the moment, this type of IPS matrix is ​​also outdated.
  • TFT E-IPS (Enhanced IPS) is another legacy type of IPS. It has a different pixel structure and allows more light to pass through, which allows for lower backlight brightness, which leads to a lower price of the monitor and lower power consumption. Has a fairly low response time (less than 5 ms).
  • TFT P-IPS (Professional IPS) are quite rare and very expensive matrices created for professional photo processing: they provide excellent color rendition (30-bit color depth and 1.07 billion colors).
  • TFT AH-IPS (Advanced High Performance IPS) - the latest type of IPS: improved color reproduction, increased resolution and PPI, increased brightness and reduced power consumption, response time does not exceed 5-6 ms. It is this type of IPS that is now actively sold.
TFT*VA

These are types of matrices that can be called average - they are in some ways better, and in some ways worse, both IPS and TN. Plus, compared to IPS - excellent contrast, plus compared to TN - good viewing angles. Of the minuses - big time response, which also increases rapidly as the difference between the final and initial states of the pixel decreases, so these monitors are not very well suited for dynamic games.


The main types of matrices are:

  • TFT MVA (Multidomain Vertical Aligment) - wide viewing angles, excellent color rendition, perfect blacks, high image contrast, but long pixel response time. In terms of price, they fall between budget TN and IPS, and offer the same average capabilities. So if games are not important to you, you can save 1-2k and take MVA instead of IPS.
  • TFT PVA (Patterned Vertical Alignment) one of the varieties TFT technology MVA was developed by Samsung. One of the advantages in comparison with MVA is that the brightness of black is reduced.
  • TFT S-PVA (Super PVA) - improved PVA technology: the viewing angles of the matrix have been increased.
TFT PLS

Just as PVA is an almost exact copy of MVA, so PLS is an exact copy of IPS - comparative microscopic studies of IPS and PLS matrices made by independent observers did not reveal any differences. So when choosing between PLS and IPS, you should only think about price.

OLED



These are the newest matrices that began to appear on the user market just a couple of years ago and at astronomical prices. They have a lot of advantages: firstly, they do not have such a thing as the brightness of black, because When outputting black, the LEDs simply do not work, so the black color looks like black, and the contrast in theory is equal to infinity. Secondly, the response time of such matrices is tenths of a millisecond - this is several times less than even that of e-sports TNs. Thirdly, the viewing angles are not only almost 180 degrees, but also the brightness hardly drops when the monitor is tilted. Fourthly - a very wide color gamut, which can be 100% AdobeRGB - not every IPS matrix can boast of this result. However, alas, there are two problems that nullify many of the advantages: this is the flickering of the matrix at a frequency of 240 Hz, which can lead to eye pain and increased fatigue, and pixel burnout, so such matrices are short-lived. Well, the third problem that many new solutions have is the exorbitant price, in some places more than twice as high as that of professional IPS. However, it is already clear to everyone that such matrices are the future, and their problems will be solved and their prices will fall.

TN(twisted—nematic )— matrices– a type of production technology LCD panels, mainly budget. Some manufacturers designate them as TN +film, that's all true modern matrices and there is TN+film, just without designation.

Is the most cheap to produce(and herself old) and has the most low price. It has no sub-pixels and the crystal structure is very simple.

The structure of the crystals is of a spiral type. In the absence of voltage on the electrodes, the crystals line up spirally, But not clearly structured and pass light through filters (white). When the maximum voltage is applied to the electrodes, the crystals line up perpendicular light filters, the pixel does not transmit light (black). Crystals act as conductors of a beam of light. A “dead” pixel is characteristically white, and the subpixels are red, blue, and green.


Achieve precise positioning of crystals on TN matrix impossible, each pixel is unique in its own way. Naturally, they are not suitable for precise professional monitors due to possible differences in the tones of each pixel.

It is also worth noting the very “ weak» viewing angles due to the characteristics of the light filter, which is located predominantly horizontally. The horizontal angles are acceptable, but the vertical angles are much worse. Additional film in technology TN+film, partially solved this problem by expanding viewing angles and “bulging” the color flow outward. But viewing angles doesn't matter weak compared with others LCD matrices. Subpixels throughout the matrix identical in structure, but each has one of three colors. This is achieved by applying a special layer of polarizer in red, green or blue. This is practically the last layer on the matrix, then there are only additional polarization layers and protective film matrices.

Main advantage of TNmatrices is high response speed BtW. Such matrices are often called " gaming" But here you have to sacrifice something.

IN in this case, color accuracy With each increase in the speed of the matrix, the contrast of the matrix drops a little. After all, to quickly switch the matrix from position ON to position OFF, we had to sacrifice the number of possible intermediate values. They were not stable when using two electrodes directed at an angle of 210 degrees to each other ( Super Twisted Nematic ).

Twisted Nematic, differs from matrices in the arrangement of electrodes, methods of positioning crystals and polarization layers. In another way, the matrices are similar in structure. " LCD still it is LCD". Only similar common components, but their implementation is very different. And the accuracy of the shades is also radically different.

Pros of technology TNcompared toV.A., IPS:

  • · High BtW response speed.

  • · Low price.

  • · Cheap in production.

  • · Ability to use any type of backlight ( or ).

Disadvantages of technology TNcompared toV.A., IPS:

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Liquid crystal displays (TN, TN+Film and TFT technologies)

Sergey Yaroshenko

An ever-increasing number of users are replacing their CRT monitors with LCD ones. If for 19-inch CRT monitors the significant size of the case, which did not comfortably fit on an office desk, led to fatal consequences, then the reduction in price and minimum dimensions Their 19-inch LCD counterparts are increasing their appeal today.

The operating principle of LCD monitors (Liquid Crystal Display) is based on the use of a substance that is in a liquid state, but at the same time has some properties inherent in crystalline bodies. These amorphous substances were called “liquid crystals” for their similarity to crystalline substances in electro-optical properties, as well as for their ability to take the shape of a vessel.

Origin of LCD monitors

Liquid crystal materials were discovered in 1888 by the Austrian scientist F. Renitzer, but it was not until 1930 that researchers from the British Marconi Corporation received a patent for their industrial use. The matter did not go further than a patent, since at that time the technological base was still too weak to create reliable and functional devices. The first breakthrough was made by scientists Fergeson and Williams from RCA (Radio Corporation of America). One of them created a thermal sensor based on liquid crystals, using their selective reflective effect, the other studied the effect of an electric field on nematic crystals. As a result, in late 1966, RCA Corporation demonstrated digital clock with LCD prototype.

Sharp Corporation played a significant role in the development of LCD technology. It is this corporation:

In 1964, the world's first calculator, the CS10A, was produced;
- in 1975, the first compact digital watches were manufactured using TN LCD technology;
- in 1976, a black and white TV with a screen diagonal of 5.5 inches was released based on an LCD matrix with a resolution of 160x120 pixels.

Operating principle of LCD displays

Molecules of liquid crystals under the influence of electricity can change their orientation, and as a result, change the properties of the light beam passing through them.

An LCD monitor screen is an array of segments (pixels) that can be manipulated to display information. The display has multiple layers, with two panels made of sodium-free and very pure glass material called a substrate or substrate playing a key role. Between the panels there is a thin layer of liquid crystals. The panels have grooves that guide the crystals, giving them the desired orientation. The grooves on each panel are parallel and perpendicular between panels. Longitudinal grooves are formed by placing thin films of transparent plastic on the glass surface, which is then specially processed. In contact with the grooves, the liquid crystal molecules take on the same orientation. The glass panels are located very close to each other. They are illuminated by a light source (depending on where it is located, LCD displays work by reflection or transmission of light). When passing through the panel, the plane of polarization of the light beam rotates by 90°. The appearance of an electric current causes the molecules of liquid crystals to line up along the electric field, and the angle of rotation of the plane of polarization of light becomes different from 90°.

The rotation of the plane of polarization of the light beam is invisible to the eye, so it becomes necessary to add two more layers to the glass panels, which are polarizing filters. These filters transmit only that component of the light beam whose polarization axis corresponds to a given polarization direction. Therefore, when passing through a polarizer, the light beam will be weakened depending on the angle between its plane of polarization and the axis of the polarizer. In the absence of voltage, the cell is transparent, because the first polarizer transmits only light with the corresponding polarization vector. Thanks to liquid crystals, the polarization vector of the light is rotated, and by the time the beam passes to the second polarizer, it has already been rotated so that it passes through the second polarizer without problems.

In the presence of an electric field, the polarization vector rotates through a smaller angle, thereby making the second polarizer only partially transparent to light. If the potential difference is such that the rotation of the plane of polarization in liquid crystals does not occur, then the light beam will be completely absorbed by the second polarizer, and the display will appear black.

By placing big number electrodes that create electric fields in local areas of the display (cell), we will be able (with proper control of the potentials of these electrodes) to display letters and other image elements on the screen. Technological innovations made it possible to limit the size of the electrodes to a point; accordingly, it became possible to place a larger number of electrodes on the same panel area, which increased the resolution of the LCD monitor and made it possible to display complex images in color.

To form a color image, the LCD display was backlit. The color was produced by using three filters that extracted three main components from white light. By combining these components for each point (pixel) of the display, it became possible to reproduce any color.

Passive matrix and active matrix

The functionality of active matrix LCD monitors is almost the same as that of passive matrix displays. The difference lies in the matrix of electrodes that controls the display's liquid crystal cells.

In the case of a passive matrix, the electrodes receive an electrical charge in a cyclic manner as the display is refreshed line by line. As a result of the discharge of the cell capacitances, the image disappears as the crystals return to their original configuration. Due to the large electrical capacitance of the cells, the voltage on them is not able to change quickly, so the picture is updated slowly.

In the case of an active matrix, a memory transistor is added to each electrode, which can store digital information (0 or 1), and as a result, the image is retained only until another signal is received.

Dull and sluggish LCD monitors with a passive matrix are a thing of the past; in stores you can only find models based on an active matrix, which provide a bright, clear image.

When using active matrices, it became possible to reduce the number of liquid crystal layers. Memory transistors are made from transparent materials, which allow light to pass through them, which means the transistors can be placed on the back of the display, on a glass panel that contains liquid crystals. For these purposes, plastic films are used - Thin Film Transistor (TFT).

TN manufacturing technology

Historically, the first technology for manufacturing LCD displays was the so-called. Twisted Nematic (TN) technology. The name comes from the fact that when turned off, the crystals in the cells formed a spiral. The effect resulted from placing the crystals between alignment panels with grooves directed perpendicular to each other. When an electric field was applied, all crystals lined up in the same way, i.e. the spiral straightened, and when removed, the crystals again tended to orient themselves along the grooves.

TN displays had several significant disadvantages:

Firstly, the natural state of the display, when the crystals form a spiral, was transparent, i.e. she let the light through. Thanks to this, when one of the thin-film transistors failed, the light came out unhindered, forming a very noticeable constantly burning point;
- secondly, it turned out to be almost impossible to turn all the liquid crystals perpendicular to the filter, so the contrast of such displays left much to be desired, and the black level could exceed 2 cd/m2. This color looked like dark gray, but not at all like black;
- thirdly, low reaction speed, the first displays had a response time of about 50 ms. However, the second and third disadvantages were overcome with the introduction of Super Twisted Nematic (STN) technology, which made it possible to reduce the response time to 30 ms.
- fourthly, small viewing angles, only about 90°. However, applying a polymer film with a high refractive index to the surface of the screen made it possible to expand viewing angles to 120-160° without significantly changing the technology. Such displays are called TN+Film.

STN manufacturing technology

STN technology made it possible to increase the torsion angle (torsion angle) of crystal orientation inside the LCD from 90° to 270°, which provided better image contrast as the panel size increased.

DSTN mode. STN cells were often used in pairs. This design was called Double Super Twisted Nematic (DSTN). In it, one two-layer DSTN cell consisted of 2 STN cells, molecules that turned in opposite directions during operation. Light passing through such a structure in a “locked” state lost most of its energy. The contrast and resolution of DSTN displays has increased, so it became possible to produce a color display in which there were three LCD cells and three optical filters of primary colors for each pixel. Color displays were not capable of operating from reflected light, so a backlight lamp was a mandatory attribute.

TN + film technology

Twisted Nematic + film (TN + film). The “film” part in the technology name means an additional layer used to increase the viewing angle (approximately up to 160°). This is the simplest and cheapest technology. It has been around for a long time and is used in most monitors sold in the last few years.

Advantages of TN + film technology:

- low cost;
- minimum pixel response time to control action.

Disadvantages of TN + film technology:

- average contrast;
- problems with accurate color rendering;
- relatively small viewing angles.

IPS technology

In 1995, Hitachi developed In-Plane Switching (IPS) technology to overcome the disadvantages inherent in panels made using TN + film technology. Small viewing angles, very specific colors and unacceptable (at that time) response time prompted Hitachi to develop new technology IPS, which gave good result: decent viewing angles and good color rendition.

In IPS matrices, the crystals do not form a spiral, but rotate together when an electric field is applied. Changing the orientation of the crystals helped achieve one of the main advantages of IPS matrices - viewing angles were increased to 170° horizontally and vertically. If no voltage is applied to the IPS matrix, the liquid crystal molecules do not rotate. The second polarizing filter is always turned perpendicular to the first, and no light passes through it. The black color display is perfect. If the transistor fails, the “broken” pixel for an IPS panel will not be white, as for a TN matrix, but black. When voltage is applied, liquid crystal molecules rotate perpendicular to their initial position parallel to the base and transmit light.

Parallel alignment of liquid crystals required placing electrodes in a comb on the bottom substrate, which significantly degraded image contrast, required a more powerful backlight to set normal sharpness levels, and resulted in high power consumption and significant time. Therefore, the response time of an IPS panel is generally faster than that of a TN panel. IPS panels made using IPS technology are noticeably more expensive. Subsequently, Super-IPS (S-IPS) and Dual Domain IPS (DD-IPS) technologies were also developed based on IPS, but due to the high cost, manufacturers were unable to make this type of panel a leader.

For some time, Samsung has been producing panels made using Advanced Coplanar Electrode (ACE) technology - an analogue of IPS technology. However, today the production of ACE panels has been curtailed. In today's market IPS technology represented by monitors with a large diagonal - 19 inches or more.

The significant response time when switching a pixel between two states is more than compensated by excellent color reproduction, especially on panels made using an upgraded technology called Super-IPS.

Super-IPS (S-IPS). LCD monitors on S-IPS panels are a very reasonable choice for professional work with color. Alas, S-IPS panels have exactly the same problems with contrast as IPS and TN+Film - it is relatively low, since the black level is 0.5-1.0 cd/m2.

Along with this, the viewing angles, if not ideal (when deviated to the side, the image noticeably loses contrast), are quite large compared to TN panels: sitting in front of the monitor, it is impossible to notice any unevenness in color or contrast due to insufficient viewing angles.

Currently known following types matrices that can be considered derivatives of IPS:

Advantages of S-IPS technology:

- excellent color rendition;
- larger viewing angles than TN+Film panels.

Disadvantages of S-IPS technology:

- high price;
- significant response time when switching a pixel between two states;
- a faulty pixel or subpixel on such matrices always remains in the extinguished state.

This type of panel is well suited for working with color, but at the same time, monitors on S-IPS panels are also quite suitable for games that are not critical to a response time of 5 - 20 ms.

MVA technology

IPS technology turned out to be relatively expensive, this circumstance forced other manufacturers to develop their own technologies. Fujitsu's Vertical Alignment (VA) LCD panel technology was born, followed by Multidomain Vertical Alignment (MVA), providing the user with a reasonable compromise between viewing angles, speed and color reproduction.

So, in 1996, Fujitsu introduced another technology for making VA LCD panels - vertical alignment. The name of the technology is misleading, because... liquid crystal molecules (in a static state) cannot be fully vertically aligned due to protrusion. When an electric field is created, the crystals are aligned horizontally and the backlight light cannot pass through the various layers of the panel.

MVA technology - multi-domain vertical alignment - appeared a year after VA. The M in the abbreviation MVA stands for "multi-domain", i.e. many areas in one cell.

The essence of the technology is as follows: each subpixel is divided into several zones, and the polarizing filters are made directional. Fujitsu currently produces panels in which each cell contains up to four such domains. Using protrusions on the inner surface of the filters, each element is divided into zones so that the orientation of the crystals in each specific zone is most suitable for viewing the matrix from a certain angle, and the crystals in different zones move independently. Thanks to this, it was possible to achieve excellent viewing angles without noticeable color distortions of the image - the brighter zones that fall into the field of view when the observer deviates from the perpendicular to the screen will be compensated by the darker ones nearby, so the contrast will drop slightly. When an electric field is applied, the crystals in all zones are aligned in such a way that, almost regardless of the viewing angle, a point with maximum brightness is visible.

What has been achieved as a result of using the new technology?

Firstly, good contrast - the black level of a high-quality panel can drop below 0.5 cd/m2 (exceed 600:1), which, although it does not allow it to compete on equal terms with CRT monitors, is definitely better than the results of TN or IPS monitors. panels. The black background of a monitor screen on an MVA panel in the dark no longer looks so distinctly gray, and uneven backlighting has a noticeably less effect on the image.

Moreover, MVA panels also provide very good color reproduction - not as good as S-IPS, but quite suitable for most needs. “Dead” pixels look black, the response time is approximately 2 times faster than for IPS and old TN panels. Thus, there is an optimal compromise in almost all areas. What's in the bottom line?

Advantages of MVA technology:

- short reaction time;
- deep black color (good contrast);
- absence of helical structure of crystals and double magnetic field led to minimal energy consumption;
- good color rendition (somewhat inferior to S-IPS).

However, two fly in the ointment somewhat spoiled the existing idyll:

- as the difference between the initial and final states of the pixel decreases, the response time increases;
- the technology turned out to be quite expensive.

Unfortunately, the theoretical advantages of this technology have not been fully realized in practice. 2003, all analysts predict a bright future for LCD monitors equipped with an MVA panel, until AU Optronics introduced a TN+Film panel with a response time of only 16 ms. In other respects, it was no better, and in some ways even worse, than existing 25-ms TN panels (decreased viewing angles, poor color rendition), but the short response time turned out to be an excellent marketing bait for consumers. In addition, the low cost of the technology against the backdrop of ongoing price wars, when every extra dollar per panel was a heavy burden for the manufacturer, supported the financial and marketing campaign. TN panels remain the cheapest today (noticeably cheaper than both IPS and MVA panels). As a result of the combination of these two factors (a successful bait for the consumer in the form of fast response time and low price), monitors on panels other than TN+Film are currently produced in limited quantities. The only exceptions are top Samsung PVA models and very expensive monitors on S-IPS panels designed for professional color work.

The developer of MVA technology, Fujitsu, considered the LCD monitor market not interesting enough for itself and today is not developing new panels, having transferred the rights to them to AU Optronics.

PVA technology

Following Fujitsu, Samsung developed Patterned Vertical Alignment (PVA) technology, which in general terms replicates MVA technology and is distinguished, on the one hand, by slightly larger viewing angles, but on the other, by worse response time.

Apparently, one of the development goals was to create technology similar to MVA, but free of Fujitsu patents and associated licensing fees. Accordingly, all the disadvantages and advantages of PVA panels are the same as those of MVA.

Advantages of PVA technology:

- excellent contrast (the black level of PVA panels can be only 0.1-0.3 cd/m2);
- excellent viewing angles (when assessing viewing angles according to the standard contrast drop to 10:1, it turns out that they are limited not by the panel, but by the plastic screen frame protruding above it - the latest models of PVA monitors have stated angles of 178°);
- good color rendition.

Disadvantages of PVA technology:

- monitors on PVA panels are of little use for dynamic games. Due to the long response time, when a pixel switches between similar states, the image will be noticeably blurred;
- not the lowest cost.

There is great interest in this type of matrices due to their widespread availability on sale. While it is almost impossible to find a monitor with a good 19-inch MVA matrix, with PVA their developer (Samsung) tries to regularly release new models for sale. To be fair, it should be noted that other companies produce monitors on PVA matrices not much more willingly than on MVA, but the presence of at least one serious manufacturer, such as Samsung, already gives PVA matrices a tangible advantage.

A monitor based on PVA matrices is an almost ideal choice for work due to its characteristics that are closest to CRT monitors among all types of matrices (if you do not take into account the long response time - the only serious drawback of PVA). 19-inch models based on them are easy to find on sale, and at quite reasonable prices (compared to, say, monitors on S-IPS matrices), so when choosing a work monitor for which performance in dynamic games is not too important, You should definitely pay attention to PVA.

Last year, Samsung introduced Dynamical Capacitance Compensation (DCC) technology, which, according to engineers, can make the switching time of a pixel independent of the difference between its final and initial states. If DCC is successfully implemented, PVA panels will be one of the fastest among all currently existing types of panels, while retaining their other advantages.

Conclusion

There are significantly fewer manufacturers of LCD panels than manufacturers of monitors. This is due to the fact that the production of panels requires the construction of expensive (especially in conditions of constant competition) high-tech factories. Manufacturing a monitor based on a ready-made LCD module (an LCD panel is usually supplied assembled with backlight lamps) comes down to ordinary installation operations, which do not require either ultra-clean rooms or any high-tech equipment.

Today, the largest manufacturers and developers of panels are a joint venture between Royal Philips Electronics and LG Electronics called LG.Philips LCD and Samsung.

LG.Philips LCD primarily specializes in IPS panels, supplying them to large third-party companies such as Sony and NEC. Samsung is better known for TN+Film and PVA panels, mainly for monitors of its own production.

You can accurately determine on whose panel a particular monitor is assembled only by disassembling it, or by finding unofficial information on the Internet (the manufacturer of the panel is rarely officially indicated). At the same time, information about any specific model applies only to this model and does not affect other monitors from the same manufacturer. For example, in different models Sony monitors at various times used panels from LG.Philips, AU Optronics and Chunghwa Picture Tubes (CPT), and NEC monitors - in addition to the above, also from Hitachi, Fujitsu, Samsung and Unipac, not counting NEC's own panels. Moreover, many manufacturers install different panels in monitors of the same model, but of different production dates - as newer panel models appear, the old ones are simply replaced without changing the monitor markings.

Good day.

When choosing a monitor, many users do not pay attention to the matrix manufacturing technology ( matrix is ​​the main part of any LCD monitor that forms the image), and, by the way, the quality of the picture on the screen greatly depends on it (and the price of the device too!).

By the way, many may argue that this is a trifle, and any modern laptop (for example) provides an excellent picture. But these same users, if you put them on two laptops with different matrices - will notice the difference in the picture with the naked eye (see Fig. 1)!

Since quite a lot of abbreviations have appeared recently (ADS, IPS, PLS, TN, TN+film, VA), it’s easy to get confused. In this article I want to describe a little each technology, its pros and cons (it will turn out to be something in the form of a small reference article, which will be very useful when choosing: a monitor, a laptop, etc.). So...

Rice. 1. Difference in the picture when the screen is rotated: TN matrix VS IPS matrix

Matrix TN, TN+film

Descriptions of technical issues are omitted; some terms are “interpreted” in their own words so that the article is understandable and accessible to an untrained user.

The most common type of matrix. When choosing inexpensive models of monitors, laptops, TVs, if you look at the advanced characteristics of the device you choose, you will probably see this matrix.

Pros:

  1. very short response time: thanks to this, you will be able to watch a good picture in any dynamic games, films (and any scenes with a rapidly changing picture). By the way, on monitors with a long response time, the picture may begin to “float” (for example, many complain about the “floating” picture in games with a response time of more than 9 ms). For games, a response time of less than 6ms is generally desirable. In general, this parameter is very important and if you are buying a monitor for gaming, the TN+film option is one of the best solutions;
  2. affordable price: this type of monitor is one of the most affordable.

Minuses:

  1. poor color rendering: Many people complain about not bright colors (especially after switching from monitors with a different type of matrix). By the way, some color distortion is also possible (therefore, if you need to select the color very carefully, then you should not choose this type of matrix);
  2. small viewing angle: probably many have noticed that if you approach the monitor from the side, then part of the picture is no longer visible, it is distorted and its color changes. Of course, TN+film technology has somewhat improved this point, but nevertheless the problem remains (although many may object to me: for example, on a laptop this moment useful - no one sitting next to you will be able to see exactly your image on the screen);
  3. high probability of dead pixels: Probably even many novice users have heard this statement. When a “dead” pixel appears, there will be a dot on the monitor that will not display the picture - that is, there will just be a luminous dot. If there are too many of them, it will be impossible to work behind the monitor...

In general, monitors with this type of matrix are quite good (despite all their shortcomings). Suitable for most users who love dynamic movies and games. It’s also quite good to work with text on such monitors. For designers and those who need to see a very colorful and accurate picture - this type Not worth recommending.

Matrix VA/MVA/PVA

(Analogues: Super PVA, Super MVA, ASV)

This technology (VA - vertical alignment in English) was developed and implemented by Fujitsu. Today, this type of matrix is ​​not very common, but nevertheless, it is in demand among some users.

Pros:

  1. one of best color renditions black color: when looking at the monitor surface perpendicularly;
  2. more quality colors(in general) compared to TN matrix;
  3. enough good response time(quite comparable to a TN matrix, although inferior to it);

Minuses:

  1. higher price;
  2. color distortion at a wide viewing angle (professional photographers and designers especially notice this);
  3. It is possible that small details may “disappear” in the shadows (at a certain viewing angle).

Monitors with this matrix are good decision(compromise) for those who are not satisfied with the color rendering of a TN monitor and who need a short response time. For those who need colors and picture quality - choose IPS matrix(more on her later in the article...).

IPS matrix

Varieties: S-IPS, H-IPS, UH-IPS, P-IPS, AH-IPS, IPS-ADS, etc.

This technology was developed by Hitachi. Monitors with this type of matrix are most often the most expensive on the market. I think there is no point in considering each type of matrix, but it is worth highlighting the main advantages.

Pros:

  1. better color rendition compared to other types of matrices. The picture turns out “juicy” and bright. Many users say that when working on such a monitor, their eyes practically do not get tired (the statement is very controversial...);
  2. largest viewing angle: even if you stand at an angle of 160-170 degrees. - the picture on the monitor will be just as bright, colorful and clear;
  3. good contrast;
  4. excellent black color.

Minuses:

  1. high price;
  2. long response time (may not suit some fans of games and dynamic films).

Monitors with this matrix are ideal for all those who need high-quality and bright picture. If you take a monitor with a short response time (less than 6-5 ms), then it will be quite comfortable to play on it. The main disadvantage is the high price...

Matrix PLS

This type of matrix was developed by Samsung (planned as an alternative to the ISP matrix). It has both its pros and cons...

pros: Higher pixel density, high brightness, lower power consumption.

Minuses: Low color gamut, lower contrast compared to IPS.

By the way, one last piece of advice. When choosing a monitor, pay attention not only to specifications, but also on the manufacturer. I can’t name the best of them, but I recommend choosing a well-known brand: Samsung, Hitachi, LG, Proview, Sony, Dell, Philips, Acer.

On this note I end the article, good luck to everyone :)