The different technologies IPS - TFT - TN - VA - MVA

An IPS display is actually also a TFT display. "TFT" stands for "thin-film transistor", i.e. transistors are applied directly to the glass (panel) as drivers for each pixel. This was also the case with the first TFT displays and the new IPS displays also have an identical structure. The difference, and therefore also the technical features, lies in the structure of the cell. "IPS" stands for "In-Plane-Switching". IPS technology produces a contrast that is virtually independent of the viewing angle. So regardless of whether you look directly at the display from the front or rather from the left or above, the contrast remains constant. This means that IPS displays are easy to read from all sides. Displays in IPS achieve a viewing angle of up to 85° in all four directions (from below, above, right and left) compared to 45° to 55° for classic TN cells (TFT displays). So which is better, IPS or TFT? Clearly IPS.

IPS displays, like TFT and MVA displays, are liquid crystal displays (LCD).

In MVA cells (or MVA displays), the crystals are orientated vertically instead of horizontally. When a voltage is applied, they rotate horizontally. This results in very good contrast, better than TFT displays (with TN cells, see above) and even better than IPS. However, the response times are very high, which makes the display correspondingly slow. This is not a problem for static content in industry, but if moving images or frequent image changes are required, MVA displays show ugly stripes and streaks.

Mechanical pressure on the pane of an MVA or PVA display leaves clear marks, so this technology is very sensitive to pressure. Although the effect is usually reversible, it can also lead to permanent damage.

There are also various subgroups, usually further developments of individual manufacturers, such as VA, MVA, PVA, P-MVA and S-PVA. "VA" generally stands for "vertical alignment".

However, none of these technologies come close to the viewing angle of an IPS display or the response time of a TN panel or IPS panel. However, they are usually cheaper to produce, at least in very large quantities. So which is better, TFT or MVA? Clearly MVA.
 

In MVA cells (or MVA displays), the crystals are orientated vertically instead of horizontally as in IPS displays. When a voltage is applied, they simultaneously tilt by a certain angle. This results in similarly good black levels as with IPS, sometimes even slightly better.

A major disadvantage is that the tilting is relatively slow compared to the rotation of the crystals in IPS displays. This makes the displays unsuitable for displaying fast-moving images.

The contrast values of IPS and MVA are similar, but mechanical pressure on the pane of an MVA or PVA display leaves clear marks. Although the effect is usually reversible, it can also lead to permanent damage. A clear disadvantage compared to IPS displays.

Overall, IPS technology performs better because colour stability with a wide viewing angle meets high display speed. Even if MVA technology is usually cheaper to produce, at least in very large quantities. So which is better, IPS or MVA? Clearly IPS.