IPS Panel vs VA Panel In LED TV (Which TV You Should Buy)

IPS panel vs VA panel both are amazing and they are not that significant aspects technically which you should understand. But your requirement makes them essential elements that you should know before buying a new TV.

A vital point that TV manufacturers or retailers (offline & online) don’t care to talk about but it can have a deep effect on picture quality. There are different TV technologies that influence picture quality in their own way. 

Leading television brands blend panels (VA & IPS) in the same LED TV series. And we believe it is one of the most significant factors that should be at the top of every television specification checklist. 

Every technology has its own benefits and drawbacks and selecting a TV based on this totally depends on your needs and how you are going to utilize it. This article will crack the question “What are IPS and VA Panels in LED TVs?” and how do they affect picture quality.

IPS Panel vs VA Panel In LED TV

What is IPS Panel And its Function?

IPS (In-Plane Switching) is one of the standard displays found in nearly every TV and monitor. The primary benefit of the IPS panel is they deliver wide viewing angles with better quality and accuracy. 

Pros: Perfect viewing angle, amazing refresh rate, acceptable response time.

Cons: Ok contrast ratio, decent black uniformity, Pricey.

Yet, nowadays, the OLED panel is getting very famous among customers and manufacturers. The panel display is uncovered in the LCD. Pixels in LCD TV are created using a liquid crystal that produces color when activated with voltage. 

Also, the crystals in the LCD panel are aligned similarly to the glass substrate. This supplies you with a wide-angle view with perfect picture quality. 

The problem occurs when undeserved light is passed through the screen. You will also detect light patches at the corner of the screen which also fails to display bright images with good clarity. 

Like VA panels, IPS panels work by regulating voltage to modify how liquid crystals are aligned. Unlike VA, though, IPS panels present their crystals in parallel with (instead of perpendicular to) the glass substrates present in every LCD panel and spin their crystals around to allow the expected quantity of light through rather than tilting them.

Many small and big TV manufacturers have mostly used the IPS panel. LG Electronics and Sony TVs are the largest manufacturers of IPS panels. 

The company has been primarily using IPS panels on most of its entry-level and premium TV. Except for LG, AU Optronics is another most significant user of IPS panels on its hardware product after LG. 

Samsung too features an IPS panel on its product, but the company primarily employs an IPS panel on PC monitors compared to TVs. 

In 2021 Samsung has thrown a couple of TVs with IPS displays. The company will still be operating IPS panels in the coming years. Philips, Panasonic, Sony, and Hisense are some brands operating IPS panels on a few of their product. 

What is VA Panel And its Function?

VA panel is another famous display type widely employed in computer monitors. The crystal in this display is organized vertically or perpendicular to the glass substrate.  

Pros: Good contrast, superb black uniformity, cheap.

Cons: Poor viewing angle, ok color range, lagging response time.

Monitors with VA panels arrive with a contrast ratio minimum of 3000:1. Whereas our IPS panel has the lowest contrast ratio is 1000:1 in the same display type. 

As the VA panel delivers in-depth picture quality, it is mainly appropriate for gaming monitors. However, the panel fell after IPS when it reached viewing angles. Monitor with VA panel fails to deliver wide viewing angle. 

The VA stands for Vertical Alignment. This name is emanated from the method VA panels utilize voltage to vertically aligned liquid crystals that have been climbed perpendicularly to the panel’s glass substrate, forcing them to tilt as required to let the needed amount of light through for each image frame.

Here arrives the most crucial question who makes VA TVs? Where is it manufactured most? There are a number of manufacturers manufacturing VA panels in the market currently. Among them, Samsung is one of the supreme manufacturers manufacturing the SVA variant of the VA panel. 

When it comes to using, Samsung electronics has been constant in utilizing VA panels on its LCD TVs. IPS panel was chief in the older model of Samsung TV until recently. Samsung has substituted IPS panels from most premium TVs

Sony is another major user of VA panels in most premium TVs. Besides, the company also utilizes a mixed display (IPS and VA panel) on entry-level TV. Lately, Panasonic has presented a VA panel on its Flagship TV. 

IPS vs VA Panel: Who’s The Winner?

IPS and VA panels primarily have two main differences. The IPS panel delivers a broader viewing angle and delivers less contrast ratio. 

On the other hand, the VA panel delivers High contrast ratio but fails to supply a broad viewing angle. Both the panels have their flaws and benefits. Therefore here we will discuss 

Viewing Angle

If you don’t understand what viewing angle is, then let me inform you that the viewing angle directs to the ultimate angle where the user can look in front of the screen to watch from the side with a shift in color or brightness. 

The viewing angle plays a crucial role in TV because it nicely perceives the visuals. 

The viewing angle has two distinct aspects one is horizontal, and another is vertical. A fine TV consists of 120 and 160 degrees of horizontal viewing angle and 120 and 160 degrees of vertical viewing angle. 

As noted earlier, the IPS panel has a great viewing angle corresponding to the VA panel. The liquid crystal in the display is placed parallel to the glass substrate, which delivers a wide viewing angle. 

When it reaches the VA panel, the liquid crystal is positioned vertically to the glass substrate; therefore, it has a limited viewing angle. 

Winner: IPS Panel

Contrast

The contrast ratio is the breakup between the darkest and brightest areas of the image on the screen. 

Raising the contrast ratio in the display expands the separation between dark and bright colors. The contrast ratio plays a very significant role in TV display. 

A good contrast ratio in a TV show has more detail in black pictures. Likewise, if the TV has a low contrast ratio, you will detect less detail in black pictures. 

A Dynamic contrast ratio is a setting that reduces the capability of the backlight lamp. 

While amplifying transmission via the panel and when it boosts the transmission, it creates a darker black image. 

The fixed Contrast ratio is the luminance of the most glowing white colors on the screen VS more unlit black shades. 

Both these ratios are described using numbers, for example, 1000:1 or 1000: 1. The more the distinction between these two numbers, the finer the picture quality. LED TVs deliver a more dynamic contrast ratio as compared to other kinds of TV. 

VA delivers high contrast ratio varying from 3000:1 to 6000:1, and a comparable IPS panel will hold a 1000:1 contrast ratio. Thus, it is obvious that the VA panel tends to be better contrast when compared to the VA panel. 

Winner: VA Panel.

Black Uniformity

Black uniformity indicates how evenly a TV can show black colors on the screen. An excellent black uniformity provides an immersive experience while watching action and the fighting scenes in movies and games. 

Perfect black uniformity means darker images and pictures like shadows and night skies, and the black thing will appear equally black at any time. There is no LED LCD TV holding perfect black uniformity. 

Yet, TV utilizing VA panels manages to have good black uniformity corresponded to TV having IPS panels. 

But, it is not essential that every VA panel has fine uniformity. Some best LED TVs with an IPS panel deliver better black uniformity on the flagship models. 

Nowadays, most current best 4K TVs have characteristics of local dimming through which you can gain or improve uniformity on your TV. But be cautious small size televisions (32-inch TVs and 43-inch TVs) don’t arrive with a local dimming feature.

Winner: VA Panel.

Pixel Layout

Pixel layout is another cause that affects the clarity of the picture on the TV. In both, the panel pixel is laid out in various positions. 

BGR layout is mainly seen in the VA panel, whereas RGB layout is chief in the IPS panel. Monitors with BGR layout hold inverse sub-pixel arrangement compared to standard RGB pixels. 

The bad thing about the BGR layout is that it displays blurry text, causing it a little difficult to read smaller text on the screen. On the other side, RGB has no such issue with the layout. Moreover, RGB layout is chief in almost every electronic device. 

It is the ideal screen layout for TV displays and other display types. Thus, we will figure that the IPS panel has a better screen layout than VA. 

Winner: IPS Panel

Refresh rate

Refresh rate is a frequency in which the monitor adjusts the frames and it is measured in Hertz (Hz) per second. 

The IPS panel has a fine refresh rate among all the displays. IPS displays hold a high refresh rate when compared to the VA panel. 

The bulk of monitors and TV have a minimum of 75 hertz to a maximum of 144-hertz refresh rate. 

Yet, the VA panel does not offer to same or comparable refresh rate as a matching IPS panel. Most of the VA panels have 60 Hertz, and there are very rare panels having 144 hertz of refresh rate. 

Winner: IPS Panel

Response time

Response time is another crucial thing you should consider when buying a monitor, TV, or panel. Reaction time is the time taken by the display to change one color to another. 

It is calculated in milliseconds, and the lower the time, the finer the picture quality or experience. There is a huge dissimilarity in response time between VA and IPS panels. 

The IPS display has a more rapid response time; therefore, it is famous in gaming monitors. 

If you are a gamer or preparing to buy a monitor, make certain to consider it has an IPS panel. VA panels have a lower response rate. There is always a couple of milliseconds distinction between IPS and VA panels. 

Winner: IPS Panel

IPS or VA Which One is Best According To Usage?

In every television review, we always do usage ratings as it is very important because not everyone buys TVs for multipurpose, we have noticed many buys TVs for the fulfillment of a major requirement. 

In this section, we have rated panels according to their usage also. And will recommend which type of panel is best for you.  

For Movies: Recommended VA Panel TVs

Movies are watched in a controlled environment mostly in the Home theatre way, in front of the television. 

Generally high-quality content Blu rays or UHD Blue rays. The actual movie-watching experience comes in dark and not in the lightroom. 

VA panels are popular for delivering good contrast and deep blacks. They will provide excellent picture quality with superb color reproduction. 

Whereas they have a poor viewing angle but it is good to use an IPS panel if you have a wide sitting arrangement.  

For TV Shows: Recommended IPS Panel TVs

TV shows are usually watched in a bright living room with numerous viewing positions and different angles. 

The TV show content is played from cable or SD channels and is of average quality. There are two major elements that we consider for TV shows one Viewing angle and second reflection handling.  

As we all know that IPS panels have excellent viewing angles and they are best for wide sitting arrangements. 

Whereas reflection quality is not related to the panel and it depends on television build quality normally modern TVs come with decent reflection handling but be sure to check it out before buying any TV. 

For Sports: Recommended IPS Panel TV

Sports are mainly watched in a living room and majorly in the daytime but now sports are also watched late at night also. Whatever sports are enjoyed in average lightroom and with groups with various viewing angles. 

So, to get a great sport viewing experience, you require a good viewing angle and decent contrasts to overcome glare.   

IPS panels have excellent viewing angles so IPS panel television is our first choice. 

Whereas if you are not so concerned about the viewing angle (maybe you watch sport alone or like to watch alone whatever the reason) then VA panels are good to go as VA panels have a much better contrast ratio than IPS panels. 

VA panels provide much better darks and brightness that can overcome glare. But if you are watching sport with a group then IPS panel television is best.  

For HDR Movies: Recommended VA Panel TV 

For watching HDR movies you require a 4K UHD TV that can deliver a wide color gamut, deep blacks, and great peak brightness. 

VA panels are capable of producing vibrant and rich colors with excellent blacks and bright whites. To get the full experience of HDR content good contrast and color volume are important. 

But VA panels do not have a good viewing angle so if you require a good picture quality from different angles then you can pick IPS panel TVs.  

For PC Monitor: Recommended IPS panel TV

From nearly 2 – 3 feet away TV will be used as a PC monitor. The TV is used as a PC monitor for gaming and working purpose. 

A TV for PC use should have a high-resolution, good viewing angle, good response time, low input lag, and decent reflection handling. 

IPS panel television is good because they have a good response time, input lag is low (but it varies from model to model so be sure to check), and a great viewing angle. 

A good viewing angle is required so that picture remains uniform at the sides when sitting up close. 

For Gaming: Recommended IPS Panel TV

The TV will be used to play video games in a controlled environment and by sitting in front. 

For a decent gaming experience, a TV should have good response time, good motion handling, low input lag, and good contrast. 

IPS panel TVs provide better response time and a good refresh rate which is important for fast pace or competitive games but they have a lower contrast ratio.

Whereas VA panels are also recommended for a good contrast ratio with great black and grey uniformity. They deliver excellent picture quality with clear and vibrant colors.

This Is How To Find The Panel Type of a TV

It is effortless to differentiate between IPS and VA panels on TVs and Monitors. There is no science and tech after it; if you have a tradition of watching IPS or VA-based panels. 

You can efficiently distinguish them. There are two main particulars to identify the VA and IPS panel on your TV. 

You can distinguish between IPS and VA panels by peeking at the viewing angle. As noted earlier IPS panel has a wide viewing angle and low contrast ratio. 

Likewise, VA panels have a lower viewing angle but high contrast ratio. You can inspect these attributes by looking at monitors or TV. 

Regardless, if you have difficulty identifying VA and IPS panels, we suggest checking TVs or Monitor packing. There you will find a complete specification of TVs or monitor along with display type. 

If there is no such data about display type or specification. Go to the manufacturer’s authorized website and search for your TV model and kind. Here you will find full details on your TV along with panel information. 

IPS or VA Which TV You Should Buy?

Now here arrives the most essential part of the article. What should you buy? We are sure most of you might be twisted after reading this article as both panels hold their advantages and disadvantages. 

But, don’t stress, that the main distinction between IPS and VA panels is the configuration of liquid crystals. 

This crystal alignment constructs a distinction in picture quality and performance of the picture on the panel. 

As we all understand, VA panels have inferior viewing angles and a high contrast rate. Accordingly, VA panels are eligible for office, study, and viewing of your famous program but from a straight angle. Likewise, if you are in demand of a mixed-type panel, you can go for a VA panel. 

On the other side, the IPS panel is most suitable for video editing, entertainment, gaming, and content design, and more notably, it has excellent color and accuracy. 

Counting upon your use case and requirements, you can pick any panel. If you have read this article completely, we hope that you don’t have any chaos between the IPS and VA panels. 

Excluding this, if you have any questions or queries related to the panel, write your concern down in the comment.