how bad is TN

D

Dome

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i see all these "avoid tn" posts and advice, but i want to know, how bad is the range of vision. because if i'm sitting right in front of my monitor playing xbox, isn't all that matters the speed and image quality?

as far as i've read, TN looks good and responds quickly, will i regret saving some money or is it worth the extra cash to buy better?
 
Great question. Any information on what makes TN really bad compared to others or link to where I can read up on this issue would be great..
 
The biggest problem is viewing angles, which affect colors and contrast. Even if you're sitting right in front of the monitor, the top will appear darker, and the bottom will appear washed out. If you're watching a movie from far away and your eyes are below the center of the monitor, the whole screen darkens. Whether or not this bothers you is a matter of personal preference.

Another problem is TN panels are really 18-bit color (6 bits per RGB channel) with temporal dithering used to emulate 24-bit color (8 bits per RGB channel), but the only effect you should see is dark colors will have very faint noise due to the dithering. Contrary to popular belief, you should not see any banding on a good monitor.

The only other problem I can think of is TN panels tend to look a little desaturated, but newer wide-gamut TN panels make up for that.
 
toasty: thanks for the post, the example helps a lot

i've read the sticky and it doesn't really help put things in perspective, only gives me a relative idea.
 
Another thing you need to consider is that not all TNs are created equal. To get a real understanding how TNs work, you should look for more in depth reviews of the monitor you want.

TNs can be great solutions for some people, and horrible burdens for others. Really just depends what you're using your monitor for, and what quality of TN you're looking at.
 
TN are really good technology IF you understand and can accept the drawbacks. some cant and yeah to them its garbage. however, i found the ONLY TN that works for me is the 245BW. it seems (in my opinion) to be the best TN there is currently.

in all honesty go to a brick and mortar store that allows returns for no apparent reason for the first 2 weeks or whatever. try it. if you're happy, then great good purchase. if not go get an exchange/refund. el problimo solvo :p
 
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LG L204WQ (or something like that) (TN) vs. A Viewsonic VX2025WM (PMVA)

http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/ <- from that test.

Here are my observations from placing a TN and MVA side by side:
TN you can see banding (you have to look for it)
Horizontal viewing angles are about equal (MVA being better)
Vertical viewing angles for the TN is horendous - if you move your head slightly the colours will change.
Solid colours (ex: a blue desktop background) is clearly lighter at the top and dark at the bottom.
Blacks are much better on the MVA and much less backlight leakage.

TN is impossible to work with for graphic design.

*note that every TN panel is different.
 
I own a S-IPS panel and bought 206BW for my cousin since he didn't want to spend a lot on the monitor. I was vastly impressed by the quality of TN panel. I noticed a bad viewing angles right away, but the PQ was pretty good. Its a good product for the money, however I'd stick with S-IPS.
 
If you're not really picky and primarily use your computer for gaming and surfing, a TN panel should work out fine. As has been mentioned, if you purchase locally, if you don't like it after a couple weeks, just return it. ;)
 
I have a TN and its ok for gaming, surfing etc. My NEC 90GX2 is nice monitor and it used to sell for around $3-400 before it went into the $200's when you got it (it was just droped of Newegg in last few months.). However it is "shifty" and images lack color vibrancy and detail compared to S-IPS. In photos below I have a new 90GX2 next to a new 20WMGX2 (both were set up as is out of the box and set to 50%brightnes/50%Contrast - yes they could each be calibrated better but the basic facts won't change)


The first pic shows displays at an angle. The angle is acute but I notice the shift just moving my head a round when sitting in front of displays.






This photo shows how the color on S-IPS is better (on right). I could tweak out the red cast in TN but the S-IPS will tweak even better - since its a 20WMGX2 a lot better





Same things seen in photo below (. Look at details in dark areas of hat and plant in rear)



Below is a photo on a Dell 2007WFP with a panel lottery S-PVA. It has the shifty stuff going on and the dark areas look better at an angle than straight on.




There's no shame in having a TN. But if you can spend more for something else you'll be glad for it. On the NEC S-IPS displays photos can seem so clear, crisp and vibrant it can be spooky. I have pics of people in diffused light and its like I can reach out and touch them. On the TN I'm always aware I'm looking AT a panel instead of THROUGH one.
 
I believe you can buy a better image by spending more money. But I just purchased the new Gateway FHD2400 and I'll say that this new TN panel is not as bad as some people contend. The horizontal viewing angles are quite acceptable to the vast majority of typical home users.Ergonomically, the top of the monitor should be about level with the eye. Yes, TN panels, even the Gateway, have distortion when viewed at an upper angle, so raise your chair. If you can afford the price, spend the money. But for the features, the acceptable view ability and the mid-level pricing, the FHD2400 is really a nice monitor.
 
Quick question does MVA suffer from same effect of color shifting like that S-PVA dell ?
 
I'm having a Samsung 225BW (TN) display at work. It's okay for office work and text, but when I get home in front of my LG L245BN I feel like i've been looking at poo the whole day.
I also had a 910T (PVA) before the 225BW, it felt sluggish but the colors were actually quite close the 225BW. I think the dark colors were better.
 
abcdelight said:
I have a TN and its ok for gaming, surfing etc. My NEC 90GX2 is nice monitor and it used to sell for around $3-400 before it went into the $200's when you got it (it was just droped of Newegg in last few months.). However it is "shifty" and images lack color vibrancy and detail compared to S-IPS. In photos below I have a new 90GX2 next to a new 20WMGX2 (both were set up as is out of the box and set to 50%brightnes/50%Contrast - yes they could each be calibrated better but the basic facts won't change)


The first pic shows displays at an angle. The angle is acute but I notice the shift just moving my head a round when sitting in front of displays.


This photo shows how the color on S-IPS is better (on right). I could tweak out the red cast in TN but the S-IPS will tweak even better - since its a 20WMGX2 a lot better


Same things seen in photo below (. Look at details in dark areas of hat and plant in rear)

Below is a photo on a Dell 2007WFP with a panel lottery S-PVA. It has the shifty stuff going on and the dark areas look better at an angle than straight on.

There's no shame in having a TN. But if you can spend more for something else you'll be glad for it. On the NEC S-IPS displays photos can seem so clear, crisp and vibrant it can be spooky. I have pics of people in diffused light and its like I can reach out and touch them. On the TN I'm always aware I'm looking AT a panel instead of THROUGH one.
Click to expand...

Wow, great examples. Perfectly illustrates the problems with TN and PVA, and the benefits of IPS.
 
mvas have the same prob Michaelius, Although my vx2025wm doesn't show the road as bright as the Dell when looked at a 170 Viewing angle
 
Dome said:
will i regret saving some money or is it worth the extra cash to buy better?
Click to expand...

I think that your display is one of the few pieces of computer equipment that will last you years, through multiple upgrades, so it is probably best to spend extra on something that you can appreciate for a long time...but then again, at the fast rate that LCD technology is progressing, I wouldn't spend too much.
 
I bought a 226BW for my sister. Actually thought it was a very impressive device for the money.

(This was right when they came out and before the panel controversy. It's an S panel if that is relevant...)
 
I currently have an HP2207 TN myself and love it. I spend hours on end playing MS FS2004, the colors are excellent and the glossy screen allows for great color and contrast. Also, I have noticed no lag issues whatsoever.

The viewing angle is really a non-issue for me as I sit square with my monitor at my desk.
 
To give you sense of just how rapidly the brightness & colour shifts as you alter the vertical view angle I took a short series of photos of a Hewlett Packard L1940T

 
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