Diane Green
TFT LCD and IPS LCD are two types of display technologies used in computer monitors. TFT stands for Thin-Film-Transistor, while IPS stands for In-Plane-Switching. IPS is an improved version of TFT, offering a wider viewing angle, better colour reproduction, and faster response time. However, IPS displays have higher manufacturing costs and consume more power. On the other hand, TFT displays are more cost-effective and energy-efficient but suffer from poor viewing angles and lower image quality. Ultimately, the choice between TFT and IPS depends on specific needs, such as budget, desired image quality, and energy consumption considerations.
What You'll Learn
IPS displays have a wider aspect ratio
IPS displays have a viewing angle of up to 85 degrees in all four directions, compared to 45 to 55 degrees for classic TN displays (TFT displays). This means that IPS displays can be read well from all sides and have a more stable effect. The wider viewing angle of IPS displays is supported by wide-angle illumination, resulting in a bright and brilliant display even at extreme viewing angles.
The IPS display technology creates a contrast that is almost independent of the viewing angle. This means that no matter if you look at the display directly from the front or from the side or top, the contrast remains constant. This ensures better visibility and a more realistic viewing experience.
IPS displays also offer vibrant colours, high contrast, and clear images at wide viewing angles. They are often used in high-definition screens such as those used for gaming or entertainment. The images that IPS displays create are much more pristine and original than those of TFT screens. This is because the pixels in IPS displays function in a parallel way, allowing them to reflect light better and resulting in a better image.
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IPS displays have better colour clarity
IPS displays offer superior colour accuracy and clarity when compared to TFT screens. This is due to several factors, including the horizontal alignment of liquid crystals, higher bit depth, and improved contrast across a range of viewing angles.
IPS (in-plane-switching) technology is an improvement on traditional TFT (thin-film transistor) LCD displays. While both are LC displays, IPS offers a wider viewing angle by ensuring the liquid crystals are aligned horizontally rather than vertically. This means that IPS displays can be read well from all sides, with viewing angles of up to 85 degrees in all four directions, compared to 45 to 55 degrees for classic TN (twisted nematic) displays.
The horizontal alignment of liquid crystals in IPS displays also contributes to better colour accuracy. When viewed from an angle, a normal TFT display will exhibit the "gray inversion effect", where colours suddenly shift into a negative display, appearing in shades of grey to brown. IPS displays do not have this issue, and colours remain intact and accurate even when viewed from different angles.
IPS displays also have a higher bit depth, typically 8-bit or 10-bit panels, compared to 6-bit or 8-bit panels in TFT displays. This higher bit depth allows IPS displays to produce a wider range of colours, enhancing colour accuracy and clarity.
Additionally, IPS displays provide improved contrast across a range of viewing angles. This is due to the architecture of the IPS panels, which ensures better contrast and consistency, even at low grey colours or in dark scenes. This is particularly beneficial for professionals working with detailed digital images, graphic arts, or in fields such as gaming, graphic design, and photography.
The combination of a wider viewing angle, improved colour accuracy, and enhanced contrast makes IPS displays ideal for professionals who require true-to-life colour representation. The improved colour clarity of IPS displays ensures that images are displayed accurately and consistently, making them a preferred choice for graphics professionals, photographers, and anyone seeking superior colour reproduction and viewing experiences.
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IPS displays have a wider viewing angle
The wider viewing angle of IPS displays is due to the arraying ways of the liquid crystal elements. In IPS displays, the liquid crystal elements are planed horizontally, so they only switch on when powered on. This means that light would be blocked when viewed from different directions. In contrast, TN TFT LCDs have liquid crystal elements that are arrayed vertically, and some lights would be blocked when viewed from different directions, especially in wide viewing angles, which can cause colour inversion.
IPS displays also have better colour stability than TFT displays. If you look at a normal TFT display in TN technology from above or below, you will observe the typical gray inversion effect, where the colours are lost and the display content turns grey to brown. This effect is not present in IPS displays, as the colours remain intact even when the viewing angle changes.
IPS displays also benefit from AACS technology (All-Angle-Color-Stability), which provides a wide viewing angle supported by wide-angle illumination. This results in a brilliant and bright display even at extreme viewing angles, with a much wider viewing angle than normal TFT displays.
The wider viewing angle of IPS displays makes them ideal for creative professionals, as they provide a wider colour gamut and greater viewing angles, helping to achieve better aesthetic accuracy and superior results. IPS displays are also commonly used in high-performance computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, as they provide an overall better experience for the user when watching movies, video chatting, or storing photos.
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IPS displays have a faster response time
The faster response time of IPS displays is particularly noticeable when compared side-by-side with TN TFT displays. While TN TFT screens respond in around 10 milliseconds, IPS screens respond in around 0.3 milliseconds, making the former unsuitable for gaming.
IPS displays also offer a more stable response time than TFT displays. This stability is due to the parallel placement of the pixels in IPS displays, which allows them to reflect light better and create more pristine and original images than TFT screens. The stable response time of IPS displays contributes to their clear and stable images, enhancing the viewing experience.
IPS displays are widely used in high-performance computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones due to their faster response time, which is essential for applications such as gaming, video editing, and other advanced tasks. The faster response time of IPS displays ensures that users can work efficiently and enjoy an improved visual experience.
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IPS displays have a higher contrast
The contrast value of an LCD is calculated as the luminance of the display on divided by the luminance of the display off. Therefore, as IPS LCDs have blacker backgrounds when powered off, they can achieve a higher contrast value. This allows IPS LCDs to produce more brilliant colour images, which is a significant improvement over Twisted Nematic (TN) displays.
IPS displays also have a wider viewing angle than TN displays. This is because IPS displays use in-plane switching technology, which creates a contrast that is almost independent of the viewing angle. As a result, IPS displays can be read well from all sides, with a viewing angle of up to 85° in all four directions, compared to 45° to 55° for TN displays.
IPS displays also have higher colour stability than TN displays. When TN displays are viewed from above or below, they exhibit the typical grey inversion effect, where the colours are lost and the display content turns grey to brown. In contrast, IPS displays do not suffer from this effect, and the colours remain intact even when the viewing angle changes.
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Frequently asked questions
TFT stands for Thin-Film-Transistor. It is the technology used in LCD or Liquid Crystal Displays.
IPS stands for In-Plane-Switching, which is a technology used to improve the viewing experience of TFT displays. IPS displays are also referred to as TFT displays with wide viewing angles.
TFT displays are known for their low energy consumption, especially when used on bigger screens, reducing electricity costs. They also offer enhanced visibility with sharp images, and have an attractive physical design and appearance. Additionally, TFT LCDs are easy to maintain, update, and upgrade, and have a long service life.
One of the major drawbacks of TFT displays is their limited viewing angle, resulting in distorted images when viewed from certain angles. They also struggle with colour accuracy, particularly when used for printing, and may not be suitable for advanced graphics applications.
While TFT LCD monitors have their advantages in terms of energy efficiency and visibility, IPS displays offer improved viewing angles, colour accuracy, and response times. IPS displays are often preferred for creative purposes, watching movies, or playing games due to their enhanced visual performance. However, IPS displays tend to be more expensive and may have lower brightness, making them less ideal for use in darker environments.
