When diving into monitor specs, many people find themselves asking “what is a display panel?” Display panels are present in almost every electronic device. You can find display panels in smartphones, laptops and of course, computer monitors for editing video and photo.
Basically, display panels are a technology found in LCD screens of all shapes and sizes that allow devices to display images. There are several different types of display panels available on the market today. And some are better options for editors than others.
Keep reading to learn what a display panel is and why this technology is important for video and photo editors.
What Exactly is a Display Panel?
A display or monitor panel is vital for displaying images or content on LCD screens. There are 3 main types of display panel we’ll be talking about today. Each display panel has its own pros and cons. Here are some of the main features that display panels influence:
- Response time
- Display angles
- Color contrast
- Color accuracy
Display panels are an important piece of LCD technology because they determine what a monitor can do. How well the monitor represents colors and the responsiveness of the screen are two major factors influenced by display panels.
Now that we have a basic understanding of what a monitor or display panel is, let’s get into 3 of the main types of display panels. After that, we’ll share why this matters for photo and video editing.
3 Most Common Display Panels
If you’re looking for a new monitor for video editing, you’re likely to run into one of these display panel technologies.
1. IPS (In-Plane Switching)
IPS is the best display panel for video and photo editors. These monitors offer amazing color consistency and accuracy, which is very important for editors. IPS monitors also provide users with a wide 178 degree viewing angle. IPS monitors do the best job of representing colors as true as possible, making it a favorite among editors of all skill levels.
2. TN (Twisted Nematic)
TN display panels are among the most common display panels. Twisted Nematic display technology is not very expensive and does have benefits… however, for serious editors TN is not the way to go. These displays are popular for their quick response time and affordable pricing. Expect a low contrast ratio and poor color reproduction with a TN monitor.
3. VA (Vertical Alignment)
VA display panels are essentially an improved version of TN panels. They do a better job representing colors and contrast, however, refresh rates are generally lower with VA panels than TN panels. The main reason VA panels are not as popular with editors as IPS is that IPS display panels offer a wider color gamut.
Why do display panels matter in photo and video editing?
As we’ve alluded to throughout this post on display panels, this technology is vital to an editing monitor that displays colors accurately. A high quality display panel will represent colors accurately, have excellent contrast and be highly responsive. That’s why when it comes to video and photo editing, IPS display panels are the standard.