The wheel turns and IPS is becoming a super star !
A few weeks ago, our ode to IPS technology would have included the following: "Too slow a response time, afterglow that is too noticeable in scenes in motion, washed out blacks compared to VA technology, and too expensive". My doubts of a possible restart were growing thinner. LG-Philips, who conceived this panel, made a successful coup as AU Optronics did a while back. The release of the NEC 20WGX² reminds us of what the ViewSonic VP191b accomplished last year.
With the release of the 20WGX², technology that was the furthest behind in essential characteristics (blacks, afterglow, price, contrast ratio, and twinkling effect in movies), successfully comes back to the same level as that of the fastest monitors and still keeps its one advantage. The IPS (at 6ms) is equivalent in games to the 2ms TN and still benefits from the widest viewing angles. What a great deal!
Another interesting point is that we were used to seeing the release of new technology on 19" monitors first. We now will have to get used to the 20" being the manufacturers’ favourite in this area. We will also have to get used to the wide format, which may require some thought before purchase as there are pros and cons. This year again we will probably see a phenomena that we know pretty well where 19" monitors become entry level and 20" monitors will become the most popular (for "advanced" users). Those who have a bigger budget can afford a 23” or 24". Overall, prices didn´t fall in the sense that there are bigger sizes for the same amount of money.
A new panel, the wide 6 ms IPS
NEC´s dead pixel policyThe 20WGX² includes the first 6 ms IPS panel designed by LG-Philips. To reach this response time, LGP uses the same technique as TN and VA manufacturers with an
overdrive.
NEC wanted to make an effect on the market. IPS panels were said to be slow and their contrast ratio insufficient, but here is a new one at 6ms and 700:1. To reach such a contrast ratio, however, NEC hasn´t improved its black and it’s still not as deep as other PVA monitors, barely going below 0.4cd/m². It is better than previous IPS and they have mainly increased brightness to 470 cd/m². We measured 430 cd/m² in standard settings, which is much too high. This is almost like having a lamp at full power right in front of your eyes. Reducing brightness doesn´t only improve user comfort but also makes colors more accurate. See the
Color quality page for more information.
Now that we are on the subject of color quality,
we introduced a small innovation of reporting real colors before and after calibration. There is no need for interpretation as you see the gray, red, yellow, etc. before and after and the possible dominance of colors or trouble in your games and photos.
