QUOTE
LCD Panel Technology Type and Characteristics
TN film (Twisted Nematic)
- low manufacturing/retail costs
- restrictive viewing angles
- fast pixel response times
- dead pixels display white. Stuck pixels display RGB colors
- lower contrast levels means blacks are not as dark as VA based panels
- lower color reproduction
IPS (In Plane Switching)
- improved viewing angles over TN
- very good color reproduction
- slower pixel response times than TN
- dead pixels display black
- lower contrast levels means blacks are not as dark as VA based panels
Super-IPS (S-IPS)
- same as IPS except ...
- likely best color reproduction of all TFT
- less expensive to produce than IPS
- improved pixel response
VA (Vertical Alignment) Technologies
MVA (Multidomain Vertical Alignment)
- compromise between TN and IPS technologies
- superior color reproduction over TN but not as good as IPS
- very good viewing angles but less than IPS
- higher contrast than TN or S-IPS means very good blacks
- dead pixels are black
- slower pixel response than TN or IPS
- details can be lost when directly viewing dark areas
Premium-MVA (P-MVA)
- same as MVA except ...
- "overdrive" technology increases pixel response but still slower than TN
- may have slightly degraded color reproduction due to "overdrive" process
PVA (Patterned VA)
- same as MVA except ...
- larger viewing angles
- higher contrast levels means darkest blacks
Super-PVA (S-PVA)
- same as PVA except ...
- “Magic Speed” (the Samsung equivalent to Overdrive) improves pixel response
- slightly improved color reproduction
- slightly improved viewing angles
Purchasing Considerations
TN Gamers
Considered a "gamers" panel due to it's fast pixel response times which reduces trailing images know as "ghosting". However, this advantage has been reduced by new technologies to accelerate pixel response times in other panel types. Colors and contrast tend to be weak and blacks are not truly dark. Viewing angles are significantly limited. However, monitors based on this technology tend to be inexpensive.
IPS / S-IPS Graphics Work or Web Browsing
Considered to have the best color reproduction of all panel types, these panels are well suited for graphics work or web browsing. Pixel response time is also good but slower than the TN "gamers" panel. Contast and blacks are also less dark than VA panels but viewing angles are excellent.
MVA / P-MVA / PVA / S-PVA Compromise for All-Around Use
These panels are a compromise between the fast pixel response times of the TN panel and the excellent color reproduction of the IPS panels. Contrast and blacks are best of all the panel types. Viewing angles are similar but slightly inferior to IPS.
Credits to wonkman from Hardocp forum.
Talking about real life experience, i compare my Dell 2405 FPW PVA with my HP LP2475W H-IPS lcd monitor.
1. Viewing angles are both acceptable to me.
2. They both have adjustability such as pivot, rotate, and height adjustment. This is a very handy feature usually found on premium lcds.
3. Connectivity is good. The Dell has DVI which is pretty standard and all your need for a pc monitor. The Hp has DVI, HDMI and Display Port, even though it has the addition of the later 2, these won't be used much anytime soon unless your using PS3 which you could utilize the HDMI.
4. For gaming and movies both are acceptable.
5. Color calibration my Dell got a deltaE of lower then 3. My Hp got a deltaE score of lower then 2 which is to be expected because it's a better panel at color

Both are true 8bit panels unlike TN which is 6bit using FRC.
6. Ironically my Dell has more usb ports and also has a card and flash reader on the side. Dell are famous for having these on their premium monitors. My HP has 2 USB ports on the left side facing me, and somemore below the monitor. The HP ports are fine and enough for me, but i miss the card/flash reader since it was easier to upload photos
Over all both are good, but it just got better with the HP

which is the new king on the block no monitor can touch within the 24'' category and this price range

My summary.
Tn = LCD monitor on the cheap for crappy panels for people that like crappy colors, and images and very low viewing angles that make me want to puke.
IPS = Very good on all quarters. Currently they have caught up with TN in regards to contrast ratio. Mine for example has 1000:1 contrast ratio which is comparable to many main stream tn panels. Input lag is also perceptively low. Which is why IPS is the king of lcd monitors currently although it also remains the most expensive.
PVA = A middle ground between price and performance for people looking for better then a TN, but not as expensive as an IPS. I am selling my Dell 2405 FPW pva monitor for between the price of a PVA and a TN panel which is a pretty good offer. So pm me soon before it gets sold off

Free calibration with ICC profile provided using my Eye One Display 2 colorimeter as a bonus

Pricings
TN <
My Dell 2405 FPW < New PVA monitor such as the Dell 2408 < IPS
This post has been edited by Moogle Stiltzkin: Sep 13 2008, 03:25 AM