Understanding the different monitor panels

Monitors are now an essential part of our daily lives, whether it's for work, leisure or artistic creation. There are several types of monitor panel, offering different characteristics and performance in terms of colour display, contrast, brightness and response time. In this article, we take a look at the main differences between IPS, PLS and VA panels and their variants.

The IPS panel: for optimum image quality

The most widespread panel on the market, In-Plane Switching (or IPS) technology offers faithful colour reproduction and excellent image stability. Monitors equipped with this technology stand out for their wide viewing angle and low colour distortion when the screen is viewed from a different angle.

Advantages and disadvantages of the IPS panel

The many advantages of IPS technology include

  • A wide colour gamut (covering up to 100% of the sRGB colour space)
  • Very wide viewing angles
  • Generally high brightness
  • A good compromise between response time and image quality for most uses

However, IPS screens also have a few drawbacks:

  • Generally poorer contrast than VA panels
  • Slightly longer response time than TN panels

    The PLS panel: a promising alternative

    Plane to Line-Switching (PLS) is a type of panel that is technically similar to IPS panels, but with a few improvements. Monitors equipped with this technology deliver even more precise and accurate colour performance, with slightly higher brightness than IPS panels.

    Advantages and disadvantages of the PLS panel

    PLS screens offer a number of advantages:

    • Even better colour reproduction than IPS panels
    • Similar viewing angles to IPS panels
    • Recent technology that can offer better overall performance

    On the other hand, they also suffer from a number of disadvantages:

    • Production costs are generally higher than for other technologies, which is reflected in the price of the monitors.
    • Less compatibility with other products
    • Slightly longer response times than conventional IPS panels

      The VA panel: excellent contrast for movie and video game fans

      Vertical Alignment (or VA) is another panel technology that is widely used, particularly on TV and gaming monitors. It offers deep blacks and a higher level of contrast than IPS and PLS panels.

      Advantages and disadvantages of the VA panel

      VA screens have several advantages:

      • A contrast generally much higher than other technologies (up to 3000:1 and more)
      • Good viewing angles, although slightly lower than IPS panels
      • Quite clear and bright colors, although a little less precise than on IPS panels

      However, they have some disadvantages:

      • The main drawback of VA panels is their response time, which can be slower than IPS and TN panels, especially in the case of dark transitions.
      • Color distortions may be visible if watching the screen from a very steep angle
      • Slightly lower brightness and color rendering performance than IPS and PLS panels

      Panel variants: choose according to your needs

      There are also other less common types of panels, such as:

      • The TN (Twisted Nematic) panel, which has a very fast response time but limited viewing angles and sometimes imperfect colors. It is especially appreciated for professional and competitive uses requiring great responsiveness.
      • The MVA (Multi-domain Vertical Alignment) panel, which slightly improves the performance of the VA panel in terms of viewing angles, while maintaining high contrast.

      Some monitors suggestions:

      IPS panel: JN-IPS282UHDR-C65W : the versatile desktop monitor you need for daily professional use. Its 4K UHD resolution, as well as its HDR, PIP/PBP, Flicker Free, Low Blue Light and KVM technologies, not to mention its USB Type-C charging, will make it your favorite tool !

      VA panel: JN-V315UHDR : a 31.5-inch 4K UHD monitor ideal for professionals looking for a high-end visual solution.

      TN panel: JN-G24T165FHDR-HSP : ideal for gamers, this 24-inch screen combines performance and responsiveness with its response time of 1ms and refresh rate of 165Hz.

      The final word :

      In all cases, you should carefully identify your needs before choosing panel. Depending on how you want to use your monitor - graphic design, photo editing, video, gaming, office automation, etc. - you will give greater priority to certain characteristics, such as color rendering, viewing angles or even the ability to manage dark scenes with a good level of contrast.