VA (Vertical Alignment) Panel
VA Panels provide a great contrast ratio. You can find VA panels that typically come with contrast ratios of 3000:1 or 6000:1. A comparable IPS panel will only have a contrast ratio of 1000:1
But they fall behind when it comes to viewing angles. Viewing angle denotes the angle at which you can sit and watch the TV / monitor without a drop in the picture quality.
VA panels have narrow viewing angles. You will only be able to have an immersive experience when you sit straight opposite the display. The wider angles will not provide you the same experience.
The VA panels are great for gaming as generally, you will straight opposite to the monitor while playing games
Pros
- It offers contrast ratios that are 3x times better than that of IPS panels.
- It has good black uniformity.
- It is affordable.
Cons
- It has a narrow viewing angle. It does not provide the same experience when you sit wider to the TV.
- It has a low color range.
- It has a slow response time.
IPS (In-Plane Switching) Panel
With the IPS panels, you can view the TV / monitor from a wide-angle and still get an impressive picture quality. Unlike VA panels, you will notice very little difference in color reproduction when you sit at a wide-angle from the display.
But when it comes to black uniformity, the IPS panels are sub-par. These panels do a poor job in displaying a bright image in the center of a completely black screen.
One more major drawback with the IPS panels is that they exhibit a distinct phenomenon called ‘IPS Glow’. You will notice some light patches on the corners of the screen. This happens when excessive light is passed through the screen.
Initially, IPS panels are mainly used in TVs due to their wide viewing angles, as we can watch TV in our living room from anywhere. But due to their better quality, color accuracy and response time, LCD panels gradually occupied the high-end computer monitor and laptop screens
Pros
- IPS panels have wider viewing angles. You will notice little difference in the picture quality even when you watch the TV from extreme angles.
- It has a high refresh rate. You will enjoy a smooth and fluid gaming experience.
- It has a low response time.
- It has a decent refresh rate.
Cons
- Their contrast ratio is not as good as that of VA panels.
- It has poor black uniformity.
- The IPS panels are very expensive.
VA Vs. IPS: Table Comparison
We have listed the different features you have to consider while buying a TV and how the panels fare against each feature.
| FACTOR | VA | IPS |
|---|---|---|
| Picture Quality | Good | Moderate |
| Viewing Angles | Narrow viewing angle | Wide viewing angles |
| Contrast Ratio | Very high (6000:1) | Moderate (1000:1) |
| Response Time | Lowest Up to 1ms ( offers an “instant” response ) Highest 16 ms ( slow response ) Lowest is good For Gamers less than 2 ms For Normal users less than 5ms | Lowest Up to 0.5ms ( offers an “instant” response ) Highest 16 ms ( slow response ) Lowest is good For Gamers less than 2 ms For Normal users less than 5ms |
| Refresh Rate | Highest Possible – 144 Hz,160 Hz, 165 Hz, 240 Hz Lowest Possible – 60 Hz,75 Hz, 100 Hz Highest Refresh Rate is Good | Highest Possible 144 Hz,160 Hz, 165 Hz, 240 Hz, 280 Hz, 360 Hz Lowest Possible 60 Hz,75 Hz, 100 Hz Highest Refresh Rate is Good |
| Black Uniformity | Better black uniformity | Poor black uniformity |
| Performance | Slow response time, high refresh rate, and low input lag | High response time and highest refresh rates |
| Suitable For | Office or study use, online games, and high-end PC gamers. | Digital artists and programmers |
| Price | Moderate | Expensive |
Conclusion
To put it short, the main difference between the panels lies in the alignment of the liquid crystals. The alignment results in the differences in the performance and picture quality of the panels.
The VA panels are ideal for office/study use, high-end PC games, and online games. If you are looking for a panel for mixed usage, the VA panel should still suffice your needs.
The IPS panel, on the other hand, is best for programmers, photo and video editors and digital artists.
If you have any further doubts or queries, let us know using the comments section. Our team will help you out. You can also post your thoughts and views in the comments box.