Types of TV matrices: differences, advantages, disadvantages

Types of TV matrices have significant physical differences. But they are all responsible for the most important thing in a multimedia device - image quality. When choosing a television equipment for presentations or home relaxation, you should understand the types of screens to determine which matrix is ​​best suited for specific tasks and environments.

LCD Matrix General

The types of matrices of TVs of the latest generations have one thing in common - they all work on liquid crystals, which were discovered at the end of the XIX century, but only recently began to be used in screens and monitors. Crystals are widely used due to their property: being in a liquid state, preserve the crystalline structure. This phenomenon allows one to obtain interesting optical results by passing light through this substance, due to the double state of which the color modeling is fast and saturated.

Over time, they learned to divide the matrix cell with crystals into three segments: blue, red and green. This forms a modern pixel - a point, the combination of which with other points gives a picture. The structure of any TV screens in the 21st century consists of such pixels. But the device of the pixel itself (the number of electrodes, transistors, capacitors, electrode angles, etc.) determines the type of matrix. There are clear specifications that distinguish the functioning of some pixels from others.

What type of matrix is ​​best for the TV, it becomes clear after studying their varieties and features.

The most common are the following types:

• TN;
• VA;
• IPS

Thanks to certain technologies, one matrix is ​​better for a TV than another. They differ in cost. But under other circumstances, this difference can not be felt, so it’s worth saving. So, what are their main differences, advantages and disadvantages?

TN

These types of matrices are used in most relatively inexpensive TVs. The full name, translated into Russian, means "twisted crystal." Due to the use of additional coating, which allows to expand viewing angles, there are models with the designation TN + Film, positioning them as a means for watching movies with the whole family.

The matrix is ​​arranged and operates as follows:

1. The crystals in pixels are arranged in a spiral.
2. When the transistor is turned off, then an electric field is not created and light penetrates through them naturally.
3. Control electrodes are installed on each side of the substrate.
4. The first filter, located before the pixel, has vertical polarization. The rear filter, standing after the crystals, is built horizontally.
5. The passage of light through this field gives a bright dot, which acquires a certain color thanks to the filter.
6. When voltage is applied to the transistor, the crystals begin to rotate perpendicular to the plane of the screen. The degree of turn depends on the height of the current. Due to such a turn, this structure allows less light to pass through, and it becomes possible to create a black dot. To do this, all the crystal cones must "close".

This type of matrix has occupied a budget niche in equipment for playing multimedia products. Thanks to this technology, you can get acceptable colors and enjoy watching your favorite shows and movies. The main advantage of this technique is financial affordability. Another plus is the speed of the cells, instantly transmitting colors. Economical such models in terms of energy consumption.

But this type of matrix is ​​not the best for the TV due to the difficulty of matching the simultaneous rotation of the crystal cones.The difference in the temporal result of this process leads to the fact that some segments of the pixel are already fully rotated, while others continue to partially transmit light. Dispersion of the flow gives a different color image, depending on the angle of the viewer. As a result, if you look directly, you see a black car on the screen, and if the viewer is watching from the side, then the same car seems gray to him.

Another disadvantage of TN technology is the inability to display the entire color palette, which is embedded in the material. For example, a film about underwater shooting of a coral reef with its inhabitants will not look as colorful as on other models. To compensate for this, the developers embed in the screen an algorithm for replacing colors and alternately reproducing the nearest shades.

Therefore, TN is suitable for viewing a small circle of people looking at the screen almost at right angles. So you can see the picture with the most natural colors. For a more demanding viewer, other technologies have been developed.

VA

When exploring which matrix is ​​better, you should pay attention to VA. The abbreviation of this technology stands for “vertical alignment”. It was developed by the Japanese company Fujitsu. Here are the main features of the development:

1. The control electrodes are also placed on both sides of the substrates of the block with crystals. A significant difference is the division of the surface into zones, which are outlined by low tubercles on the filters.
2. Another property of VA is the ability of crystals to mix with neighboring crystals. This gives crisp and rich colors. The problem of small viewing angles on the previous technology was solved due to the perpendicular arrangement of the cylinders of crystals relative to the rear filter at the moment of absence of current on transistors. This gives a natural black color.
3. When the voltage is turned on, the matrix changes its location, allowing partial passage of light. Black dots gradually turn gray. But due to the brightly burning white and color dots nearby, the image remains contrasted. So the color saturation is maintained at different viewing angles.
4. Another achievement of improving image quality is the cellular structure of the inner surface of the filters. Small tubercles, dividing the internal space into zones, provide the construction of crystals at an angle relative to the surface of the monitor. Regardless of the perpendicular or parallel location of the molecular series, the entire chain has a deviation to the side. As a result, even if the viewer shifts significantly to the right or left, the construction of the crystals will be directed directly at the sight.

The response of liquid crystals to the passage of voltage is slightly slower than that of TN, but they are trying to compensate for this by introducing a system for dynamically increasing current, which affects selected sections of the surface that need a quicker response.

This technology makes TVs with VA type of matrixes more convenient for viewing materials under the following conditions:

• large living rooms for the rest of the family;
• conference rooms;
• presentations in the office;
• watching sports events in bars.

IPS

The most expensive technology is IPS, whose abbreviation stands for Russian as “flat shutdown”. It was developed at the Hitachi factory, but later began to be used on LG and Philips.

The essence of the process matrix is ​​as follows:

1. The control electrodes are located only on one side (hence the name).
2. The crystals are aligned parallel to the plane. Their position is the same for everyone.
3. In the absence of current, the cell maintains a saturated and pure black color. This is achieved by preventing the polarization of the light that is absorbed by the rear filter. There is no conservation of glow observed in
4. When voltage is applied to the transistor, the crystals rotate 90 degrees.
5. Light begins to pass through the second filter, and a variety of shades are formed.

This makes it possible to view the image at angles of 178 degrees.

From the technical parameters of the matrix, 24 bits in color and 8 bits per channel can be distinguished. Models of TVs are also produced with a transmission of 6 bits per channel.

Another plus of the technology is the dimming of dead pixels.arising from a malfunction between the electrode and crystals. In other developments, such a place begins to glow with a white or colored dot. And here it will be gray, which smoothes the visual sensations from the micro-marriage that has arisen.

The advantages of IPS are rich colors and good viewing angles. The response problem was solved gradually, and now the response time is 25 ms, and for some TV models up to 16 ms.

Of the disadvantages of this type of matrix are:

• more pronounced grid between pixels;
• a possible decrease in contrast due to the closure of part of the light by electrodes that are all on one side;
• high price of goods.

Therefore, such screens are more suitable for demonstrating graphic works and photographs. So the image will be accurately transmitted, which will be visible to everyone present. It is advisable to install such televisions at office presentations and photo studios.

When deciding which matrix - VA or IPS for the TV will be better, you should consider the nature of the materials you are viewing. For movies and relaxation it is better to use the first option, and to show the nuances of graphics - the second. TN or IPS usually do not compare with each other due to the difference in price category. For a family of three, the first type of matrix is ​​quite enough. After all, looking at a right angle to the screen, colors, including black, will be conveyed believably.