IPS panel always ahead of VA panel

Subhro Prakash Ghosh

Innovation never gets stagnant. It always has incessant flow, sometimes touches crest and at times trough. But it never ends. In every field innovation is constant. If we look into the electronic world, among the most striking innovations happened in the last decade, the television technology has reached the pinnacle with the introduction of LCD (liquid crystal display), LED (light emitting diode) and 3D TVs. The television sets consisting of conventional CRT (cathode ray tube) are getting a gradual shift to ‘no interest’. This is also due to the constant falling price of the LCD and LED televisions.

The concept of LCD came in before, and later the introduction of LED TV reduced the former’s impression, however, the latter product costs comparatively high. However, both the categories are based on the VA (Vertical Alignment) technology. But after going through an inclusive research on the usage of VA panel, it has been noticed that VA consists of numerous drawbacks and fails to meet the criteria of the manufacturers, as well as end-consumers.

VA panel is manufactured by the joint venture of Sony and Samsung. In VA display, the liquid crystal material naturally exists in a vertical state. When there is no voltage, the liquid crystal cell remains perpendicular to the substrate. This generates a black display. Whereas when voltage is applied, the liquid crystal cells immediately take the horizontal shift, i.e., parallel to the substrate, thus allowing light to pass through and creating a white display. As cited about the drawbacks, such as – both Samsung and Sony claim a viewing angle of 178⁰ but in actual case color shift happens with the change of viewing angle. The picture quality is not adequate in giving a sense of ‘realness’ to the audience. The screen composed of VA panel will always have lighting and tailing when touched.

If there are so many disadvantages involved with VA panel, why should we opt for the televisions made up of VA panel? And above all when we are having an alternative option. I don’t know if you have heard about IPS technology or not, but trust me, this is the superior alternative we have till date. IPS (In-Plane Switching) panel technology was developed by Hitachi in 1996. The purpose of Hitachi was solving some limitations of TN (Twisted Nematic) matrices, i.e., poor viewing angles and color reproduction. However, albeit launched around 15 years back, this IPS technology has taken its height with lots of innovations and modifications made in it.

There are lots of advantages of using TV comprised of IPS panel. IPS panel has fast response speed compared to VA panel, and displays accurate and consistent color from any viewing angle. While changing the angle, there will be no color change at all. The picture quality completely gives a sense of ‘realness’ to the audience. Whereas IPS panel displays stable images when it is touched, no option of lighting and tailing common to VA panel. Considering its advantages, LG and Hitachi are presently applying the IPS technology in their televisions.

LG LED TV having IPS panel

In India and other countries, LG products implemented with IPS technology are receiving tremendous response. It has also been noticed that customers using the Samsung and Sony products, composed of VA panel, have replaced with LG products. If you will find in Wikipedia the advantages of IPS panel, conversely the disadvantages of using VA panel. Hence, when the world is voting for IPS panel, you should also do the same with no controversy.

LG- The new innovator in the world of 3D TV

Rahul Mukherjee

LG has at last launched an exclusive 3D based TV with core emphasis on enhancing the viewer’s 3D TV experience. This product comes with LG’s own proprietary  film patterned retarder technology, which is aimed at eliminating crosstalk & flicker issue experienced by regular 3D TV viewers. Crosstalk has been one of the upsetting features of the 3D glasses provided with 3D glasses. Crosstalk takes place when the moving images inside the television can’t switch rapidly enough  between the right & left eye while communicating between the TV & 3D glasses. The consequence is, you end up witnessing the same image in through both, left & right glasses. On the other hand, flickering takes place primarily because of the LCD lenses used in manufacturing of 3D TVs. These LCD lenses are known for their property to dim lights in certain portions of images, but here it dims the amount of light reflected upon both the 3D glasses wore by the viewer, thus any other source of light within the viewing angle of viewer tends to produce a flickering effect. The end result is, you end up having a rough experience of watching 3D TV, which probably was your first time experience of 3D TV viewing.

LG Cinema 3D TV based on FPR tech

LG’s FPR 3D TV eliminates all of these bugs, & on top of that, adds a touch of eco-friendliness by replacing active-shutter 3D spectacles by passive 3D glasses. This glasses are lighter, cheaper & don’t add to your count of health hazards, as they don’t apply the any sort of electronic apparatus. Moreover, these glasses provided by LG are made compatible to be worn upon your corrective lenses if you  have any by the use of FPR lens inserts, thus allowing you to wear your corrective lenses while wearing the 3D FPR lenses. That’s not all, the 3D glasses provided by LG also add to your viewing experience by providing you with flexible viewing angle, thus you can keep in touch with 3D TV viewing even when you move around the room. Thus, LG is endeavored to provide you with a much more relaxed 3D TV viewing with its new LG FPR 3D.

LG FPR 3D is also being termed LG Cinema 3D in India, where it has been recently launched, as the brand claims that this 3D television will provide viewers with the same experience of watching full-length movies as they experience in 3D movie theatre screens. This TV had received user preference ratings of 95%, 88% & 85% from consumers in China, France & United states respectively. The owners have already announced much more competitive pricing of the product in coming months if sales figures match up as per the hype in certain top nations around the world.  Since, this product also boasts DivX HD feature & LED screen lenses alongside the innovative 3D technology, it is surely going to magnetize present HD TV viewers to witness impeccable 3D TV technology.