1rst LCD at 100 Hz: the end of afterglow (page 5: Normal LCDs: 60 or 75 Hz)

Normal LCDs: 60 or 75 Hz ?

Our conclusion from tests, most of all our impression from games, is unanimous : 100 Hz rendering is much better than 50 Hz. Response time doesn´t change, but afterglow is much different. Increasing frequency considerably improves the fluidity of sequences and resolves the problem of persistent images due to the insufficient reaction time of crystals.

We logically came to ask ourselves about the optimum frequency of normal LCDs. Most support 60 or 75 Hz. We did a blind test of 6 monitors at the two frequencies. In the first case, there is theoretically one image every 16.7 ms and for the other this figure is 13.3 ms. Compared to our example of increasing from 50 to 100 Hz, we should logically get closer to the reaction time of 100 Hz at 75 Hz with our LCD monitors….but this isn´t what we found.

We found the following:

2 didn´t support 75 Hz and we would have a black or unstable image.

2 said that they supported 75 Hz, but when we measured the time between images we realised that they were in fact at 60 Hz.

Finally, the last two really ran at 75 Hz…partially. In fact the monitors really displayed four images and then skipped the fifth. The sixth one was displayed normally. When we looked at the results, we realised that this skipped 5th image was to resynchronise the monitor at 60Hz. In fact, it really displayed 4 images in 67 ms whether it was at 60 or 75 Hz.

75 Hz with the 10 20 35 W, everything is fine during the four first images

The fifth one jumps, back to normal at the sixth
Starting a game confirms this jump and we see small cuts that were hard to ignore.

We should test this function with more monitors as some may support 75 Hz. For now, however, the ViewSonic VX922, or the Belinea 10 20 35W can´t (they were included in the panel).

But to be honest manufacturers told us that none of the current LCDs would be able to support 75 Hz. We don’t always believe them, but out of 6 monitors this was actually the case. We hope that they aren´t right and we invite you to test this at home. Logically, if your monitor is able to support this frequency, the sharpness in games will be better.