LCD monitor panel types include TN panels, IPS panels, MVA panels, and PVA panels.
1. TN Panels. TN panels are based on the relatively mature standard TFT-TN LCD technology and are widely used in entry-level and mid-to-low-end LCD monitors. Due to its lower grayscale levels and faster liquid crystal molecule deflection speed, its response time is easier to improve. Currently, LCD products with a response time of 8ms or less all use TN panels. In general, its biggest advantages are its low price and fast response time, but its viewing angle is only 140 degrees, and its color reproduction is not as good as other high-end panels, as a 16.7M TN panel does not offer a substantial improvement in color accuracy compared to a 16.2M panel.
2. IPS Panels. The biggest advantage of IPS panels is their superior color reproduction capability, but their response time is relatively long, and their manufacturing cost is higher. Therefore, they are mostly used in high-end professional graphics LCD monitors. The famous Apple LCD monitors use this type of panel. In addition, IPS panels have a wide viewing angle, basically reaching the level of CRT monitors, and a color display capability of 16.7M. However, their performance in contrast, response time, black levels, and color saturation is somewhat unsatisfactory.
3. MVA Panel. MVA panels can be considered the earliest wide-viewing-angle technology. Its liquid crystal layer contains protrusions for liquid crystal molecules to attach to. Without applied voltage, an MVA panel looks no different from traditional technology, with liquid crystal molecules perpendicular to the screen. However, under voltage, the liquid crystal molecules adhere to the protrusions and shift, forming a state perpendicular to the protrusion surface. This technology effectively improves the response time and viewing angle of LCDs, allowing viewing angles to reach over 170 degrees. Contrast ratio is also greatly improved, and the color display capability reaches 16.7M. This technology is now relatively mature, so its market penetration is quite high. MAYA's "Big White," Philips' 190P7, and ViewSonic's VX2025wm all use MVA panels.
4. PVA Panel. PVA panels are a derivative of MVA panels. They use a transparent ITO layer to replace the protrusions in MVA liquid crystal molecules, which greatly improves light transmittance, thereby improving picture quality and significantly enhancing display performance. Viewing angles can reach 170 degrees, and response time, contrast ratio, and color reproduction capabilities are all greatly improved. It can be said that PVA LCD panels have almost no weaknesses except for their price. Due to their higher manufacturing costs, PVA panels are mostly used in LCD TVs and high-end graphics LCDs, such as the Samsung F7 series LCD TVs, Dell 2007WFP, and Samsung LA32R71B, which are still somewhat out of reach for ordinary consumers.
