IPS Technology Explain

IPS Panel Technology Explained

There are many different panel technologies used in the production of LCD monitors. They range from budget TN panels to expensive, professional quality S-IPS and S-PVA panels. The average consumer usually has no idea what panel technology is used in their LCD. In fact, many power users are also unaware, simply because the panel type is rarely listed by the manufacturer in the monitor specifications. Many users buy monitors based on price and size. Price should be a factor, but you should still know the advantages and disadvantages of the different LCD panel types and be able to identify them before you decide which LCD to purchase.

IPS Panel Technology

S-IPS/H-IPS (In Plane Switching) panels are generally considered the best overall LCD technology for image quality, color accuracy and viewing angles, but this comes at a price. They are well suited for graphics design and other applications which require accurate and consistent color reproduction. S-IPS panels offer the best viewing angles of any current LCD technology, with wide viewing angles up to 178 degress. The response time of S-IPS is adequate, ranging from 6ms to 16ms with current panels. This is only slightly slower than TN panels. However, gamers should take this into consideration. Fast paced games may suffer from motion blur or ghosting with S-IPS panels that have a response time higher than 8ms. IPS LCD's are a suitable stopgap display technology until OLED monitors are commercially viable.


S-IPS panels can be identified buy a slight purple hue on blacks when viewed from a wide angle. There are currently few manufacturers using S-IPS panels in comparison to the other panels types making choices limited and they often carry a premium price tag. H-IPS is a newer variation of S-IPS with a different pixel structure that improves contrast ratios and lowers pixel pitch to provide better picture quality. To find an IPS based LCD see this comprehensive list of IPS based LCD monitors.

VA Panel Technology

VA (Vertical Alignment) technology such as S-PVA/MVA are middle of the road LCD panels. They offer better color reproduction and wider viewing angles than TN panels, but have slower response times. They are very similar to S-IPS on paper. They also offer large viewing angles and good color reproduction, though not as good as S-IPS. The response times are generally worse than TN or S-IPS panels and there have been reports of a few panels that suffer from input lag, so VA technology may not be the best choice for fast paced gaming.
VA panels have the advantage of higher contrast ratios compared to other panel types, which leads to better black levels. The biggest disadvantage of VA based panels is color shifting. Color shifting is when the image viewed from one angle changes or "shifts" when viewed from a slightly different angle, making various uneven brightness levels across the display. This bothers many users to the point they will not even consider buying a VA based panel, while other users don't notice/aren't bothered by the color shifting. Color shifts also cause a loss of shadow detail in dark scenes when viewed directly from the center. VA panels are much easier to find compared to IPS because so many manufacturers use them. They offer better image quality than TN at lower price than IPS based panels.

TN Panel Technology

Example of the viewing angles commonly found with TN based LCD monitors.

TN (Twisted Nematic) panels are the most widely used panel type in the manufacture of LCD monitors. TN panels are cheap and offer excellent response times, making them perfect for fast paced gaming. The response times of current TN panels range from 2ms to 5ms. However, color reproduction, viewing angles and contrast ratios of TN panels are the worst of any current LCD panel technology. Unlike most 8-bit IPS/VA based panels, TN is only 6-bit and unable to display the full 16.7 million colors available in 24-bit true color. They can mimick the 16.7 million colors of 8-bit panels using a technique called dithering, but the results are unimpressive. TN panels have become popular with the average computer user because they are very inexpensive and currently dominate the LCD display market in availability.

Summary of LCD Panel Technology

• S-IPS/H-IPS panels are generally considered the best all around panel type, but they are more expensive and very few are made. High end, expensive. But IPS Produce In Korea.
• S-PVA/MVA panels offer better color reproduction and viewing angles than TN panels, have slightly worse response times than TN or S-IPS, offer the best contrast ratios, may suffer from color shifting or input lag and have higher availability than S-IPS panels. Mid range, fair price.
  VA Produce In China. But VA LCD TV is expensive more than that of IPS.  
• TN panels are very cheap and have the fastest response times, but suffer from inferior color reproduction, contrast ratios and viewing angles. Low end, inexpensive.

VA - Vertically Aligned LCD Monitors

VA Panel Technology Explained

VA - Vertically Aligned LCD Monitors

In late 1996, Fujitsu unveiled a TFT-LCD panel that used a new type of liquid crystal (LC) material that is naturally horizontal and has the same effect as IPS, but without the need for the extra transistors. Fujitsu used this material (which was developed by Merck of Germany) for its displays from mid-1997 onwards.

In the vertically-aligned (VA) system, the LC molecules are aligned perpendicular to the substrates when no voltage is applied, thus producing a black image. When a voltage is applied, the molecules shift to a horizontal position, producing a white image. With no voltage, all the LC molecules, including those at the boundaries with the substrates, are completely perpendicular. In this state the polarised light passes through the cell without interruption from the LC molecules and is blocked by the front polarise. Because the blockage is complete, the quality of black produced in this way is excellent and the viewer sees this black from all viewing angles.

As well as an excellent viewing angle of 140 degrees all round, these VA panels can achieve faster response speeds because there is no twisted structure and the LC molecules are simply switched between the vertical and horizontal alignments. They\'re also capable of maximum contrast ratios of the order of 300:1, with no power penalty.

LCD Panels: IPS vs VA

War between LCD Panels: IPS and VA

Hi Friends,

Let's Check out which is a Better Panel, IPS or VA.

IPS is In Plane Switching Panel, manufactures by LG Display, whereas VA i.e Vertical Alignment Panel is manufactured by Joint Venture of Samsung and Sony.

Points of Difference.
1. Though both claim a viewing angle of 178 degrees

But in actual finding if you view IPS panel there is no color change from any viewing angle, but for VA there is a color change (see the picture above).
So, if you are viewing LCD with IPS Panel from the any side of your room, even then there will be no distortion in the colors and you can enjoy a better viewing experience.

2. Faster Response Time
IPS panel gives you a better and faster response time of 4ms, whereas VA has a good but lesser response time of 8ms as compared to IPS.
So, you can enjoy Vivid and Clear Motion Picture on IPS Panel, i.e when you are watching action movie or Sports, you can enjoy motion pictures without any blur or distortion on IPS panel.

3. Check the Screen ReliabilityIPS panel is much more stable and reliable than VA panel. You can check this by simply rubbing your finger on the screen or by knocking on the screen.

IPS PANEL is more reliable and can take on mild actions of your cleaning and kids.

4. Does the Size really matter?
Yes, if you can get some extra without paying much for it.
IPS panels are available in 26", 32", 37", 42", 47" and so on.
VA panels are available in 26", 32", 37", 40", 46" and so on.
IPS Panels also gives an advantage of more viewable screen in 42" and 47" as compared to 40" and 46" in VA.
Brands in INDIA using IPS Panel are LG, HITACHI and many others and Brands in INDIA using VA Panel are SAMSUNG, SONY and many others.

Hope this article gave you an insight on Panels used in LCD TV.

What is the IPS Technology

LG’s IPS technology makes viewing a pleasure as consumers can now get a vivid and clear picture on their screens. In Plane Switching (IPS) technology - one of the world’s leading LCD technologies – not only innovatively aligns liquid crystal technology to increase the viewing angle but also ensures vivid and clear moving images because of excellent Moving Picture Response Time (MPRT) performance and variation. The touch panel is also vastly stable as moving picture image sticking does not occur.

Developed in 1996, IPS was initially meant to improve on the poor viewing angle and the poor color reproduction of twisted nematic (TN) panels at that time. Its name comes from the main difference from the TN display, with the crystal molecules moving parallel to the panel plane instead of moving perpendicularly. This change reduces the amount of light scattering in the matrix, which gives IPS its characteristic wide-viewing angles and good color reproduction. The technology also reduces image distortion because of a fast and stable response time.  It is pertinent to note here that the IPS panel gets it stable and accurate touching from its liquid crystal (LC) molecules’ structure. The LC alignment in IPS mode is horizontal, an advantage for the LC does not move far from the original position even when touched, while the LC alignment in normal panels is vertical, therefore, easily scattered.

The IPS panel is hard. Its horizontal switch molecular arrangement does not change even on being knocked. When the IPS panel is pressed down, the original colours remain, with some change of brightness.  Thus, comparing with the vertical arrangement made by the VA LCD technologies, the molecule reducibility of IPS technology is more powerful, and its panel is more stable and durable.

With a stable touch panel that the technology offers, IPS panels promise a truly world-class viewing experience. With no colour distortion from any angle because of no shift in gamma rays, IPS technology panels are least strenuous to human eyes.

IPS is also the main hardware of the iPads that have been launched recently. Apple endorses IPS technology for it is a premium display technology. IPS panels are preferred for their superior true color values, the most consistent image, a stable touch panel and a superior viewing angle as compared to other LCD technologies. A large, high-resolution LED-backlit IPS display and an incredibly responsive multi-touch screen, have made the Apple iPads popular amongst consumers. Apple prefers IPS technology as the panels have several advantages over conventional panels that use TN (twisted nemantic) and VA (vertical alignment) display technologies especially when it comes to stable touch panels.

IPS LCDs meet the requirements of the sectors and professionals in the fields of design, medicine, print and space, etc. Graphic designers, major medical equipment makers like GE Medical, Philips Medical National Display prefer IPS panels. In fact, not only the professional sector, the home electric appliance sector has also applied IPS LCD for the unique advantages. It is known that the reason for the professional favor of IPS LCDs is the advantages of dynamic definition, color reducibility, visible angles and most importantly the touch panel which is vastly stable because moving picture image sticking does not occur.

IPS LCD products have thus won unanimous favor of professionals. With a stable touch panel that the technology entails in contrast to other LCD technologies, IPS technology is definitely the first choice of consumers!

Courtesy: LG India

New Technology, FPR Chages The world!

 HD Displays

LG Display thinks it can fix 3DTV with passive glasses & FPR

By Richard Lawler  posted Jan 5th 2011 5:16PM

So far 3DTV hasn't increased sales by as much as predicted, but LG Display thinks it can turn that around with three simple letters: FPR (branded Cinema 3D by its consumer arm earlier today.) Standing for Film Pattern Retarder, it places a thin film over the LCD (there's no plans for plasma products) that allows 3D viewing with cheap, passive polarized 3D glasses instead of expensive and heavier active shutter glasses. LG plans to stop manufacturing active shutter 3D displays soon. That will further open the door for FPR, due in April in the USA, to take over with a 4K2K display to arrive this year and plans for a OLED model in 2012. We took a tour through LG Display's house of active shutter horrors (as seen above, grammar aside) and sat in for the press conference, check the gallery for a few pictures plus more on what this means for 3D and a quick promotional video.

Ultimately, the tech demos reminded us more of the 60Hz vs. 120Hz vs. 240Hz motion demos TV manufacturers have used before, while the 3D picture on the comparison Samsung 3DTV with active glasses was jittery and full of crosstalk to a degree we'd never experienced before, FPR was moving free and easy. LG also looked to put to bed the assertion that FPR is not full HD because by its nature, each eye only receives 540 lines, instead of the usual 1080, stating that it's been certified full HD since the eyes do get a total of 1080.

We'll probably need a demo of live broadcast content to determine if there's a noticeable drop in res between the displays, as well as check out LG's claim that it causes no drop in brightness for 2D content. In the meantime, it's clear FPR will be everywhere in 2011 and LG sees the partners it supplies TV to like Vizio and Philips as behind the tech while retailers like Sam's Club and Wal-mart look forward to demo units they don't need to keep charged or worry about interference with. Will consumers appreciate the extra ease (and extra upfront cost) of passive 3D? We'll find out soon.

3D TV’s With FPR Panels In 2011?

Posted on December 15, 2010 by Guy Wilson

LG 84 Inch FPR 3D TV

Just to throw another acronym into the air, LG Display have announced that they’re going to produce “FPR 3D TV’s“, where the FPR stands for “film-type patterned retarder”, in case you were wondering.

It’s actually quite an impressive step forwards for 3D technology and it will be interesting to see whether the new 3D tech gets adopted as the “new standard”.

According to details from a launch ceremony held on December 15 in Beijing, FPR 3D screens boast…

Better brightness levels (which was always an issue for 3D TV’s because using 3D glasses decreases light levels)

A film layer for polarising the light (as opposed to the current glass screen) which cuts down on cost and weight.

The use of lightweight, polarised 3D glasses as worn at the cinema instead of the heavier, battery-powered LCD active shutter glasses. Polarised glasses also eliminate flickering and cross-talk, which the LCD “active shutter” glasses suffer from.

The ability to shape the 3D glasses to fit the face better using curved lenses instead of the flat LCD screens in active shutter glasses.

So, have LG Display stolen a march on the rest of the 3D industry? Will FPR panels be a bridge between existing 3D tech and autostereoscopic 3DTV’s of the future? Time will tell, but you won’t have to wait long. Apparently, LCD TV makers plan to offer a full lineup of 3D LCD TV sets featuring FPR panels from the beginning of 2011.

Interesting, I always thought that the drawback to 3DTV’s that use polarisation technology was that they didn’t offer “Full HD” due to the way light was sent to the glasses, but the information from LG Display is that the FPR TV’s will be Full HD.

IMS Research mentions the same concerns about resolution…

However, the FPR sacrifices resolution for these other improvements. Every other line is used for each eye. Thus, 1920 x 540 is being observed by each eye rather than 1920 x 1080. Higher resolutions have gained significant share in the TV market, although only Blu-ray movies are shown at 1920 x 1080p. Will consumers notice the difference? Will they care?

Apparently, there’s an expensive way to get Full HD with passive 3D displays using another liquid crystal layer and an extra pair of glass substrates. Perhaps that’s where the claim comes from.

From the same source we learn that Samsung, Sony and Panasonic are not on the FPR bandwagon, but LG, Philips, Vizio and other Chinese manufacturers are. It’ll be interesting to see if consumers fall in love with FPR.

LG’s FPR Passive 3D LCD TV Technology Making Waves In Chinese Market

By Jonathan Sutton • Friday, 25 February 2011, 12:10 am UTC

Despite being labelled as “outdated” by at least one major competitor, the film-type patterned retarder (FPR) 3D LCD TV technology pushed by Korean manufacturer LG Electronics has generated highly positive responses in the Chinese market, both in terms of consumer feedback and actual sales. According to the corporation’s LCD-making division LG Display, more than 100,000 units of 3D TVs equipped with FPR technology have been sold in China since launch less than two months ago.

In December last year, LG unveiled its proprietary FPR technology as a purportedly superior, “next-generation” alternative to the then-dominant active-shutter glasses (ASG) variant currently used by most TV manufacturers. A passive/ polarized 3D technology at its core, FPR is said to deliver a flicker-free tri-dimensional viewing experience, as well as allow for cheaper, lighter and more comfortable 3D glasses. LG spokesman Kim Jun-kyu revealed that in direct comparison demonstrations against ASG models, FPR-based 3D televisions were preferred by 95% of respondents from China, and 88% and 85% of those from France and the USA respectively.
To gain a first-strike advantage in the Chinese market, LG has teamed up with top local TV brands such as Hisense and Skyworth to promote its film patterned retarder technology. Although advertising has been largely non-existent (LG insists that no TV commercial has been aired), demand for FPR-fitted 3D TV sets has so far outstripped supply, causing LG to experience a shortage of FPR panels as a result of higher-than expected order numbers from the aforementioned Chinese TV makers.
LG attributed the initial sales success of its FPR 3-dimensional displays to more affordable prices and lighter 3D eyewear compared to active-shutter counterparts. Looking ahead, the Seoul-based conglomerate aims to boost its market share in the China 3D HDTV arena – more Chinese TV manufacturers like Changhong, Konka and TCL are due to launch their respective 3DTV models featuring FPR LCD technology this year. The company is also setting its sights on US and Europe, with American TV brand Vizio and Dutch consumer electronics giant scheduled to release FPR-based 3D LCDs as soon as April.