What is a matrix in a TV

When buying a new TV, we do not always think about what type of matrix is ​​installed in it. And today there are several varieties of them (TN, IPS, VA). And such important characteristics of the TV as the refresh rate, viewing angle, clarity and brightness of the picture depend on it. To make the right choice that corresponds to the tasks and the situation, it will not hurt to at least superficially understand what types of matrices are and how they differ.

TV Matrix - what is it?

The matrix is ​​the main element of a multimedia device. The technology involved in the production directly affects the quality of the picture. At the moment, there are 3 main types of it:

• LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), they are also LCD displays. The principle of their work will be discussed later.
• LED (Light-Emitting Diode). In this case, this is the type of LCD backlight.
• plasma. A fundamentally different technology, gas is used here, which emits light when a current passes through it.

At the moment, liquid crystal displays, due to low cost and saving electricity, have almost completely replaced plasma displays from the market. There are several types of LCD matrices. And despite the fact that they use the same properties of liquid crystals, their image quality and price are very different.

REFERENCE. Relatively recently, a new OLED technology has appeared, but at the moment such TVs are too expensive and belong to the premium class.

LCD Matrix Technology

The main element of each LCD matrix is ​​the so-called liquid crystal. It has a special property - under the influence of an electric current, change the orientation of its molecules in space. This allows you to control with the help of current its ability to transmit or retain color

The LCD matrix used in modern TVs consists of several components:

• Layer of liquid crystals.
• Transparent electrodes. They are located on both sides of the layer of crystals, control their ability to transmit light.
• Color filter. The pixel color layer.
• Display backlight Located at the back of the matrix.
• Glass or film covering the front.

The principle of operation of the LCD display is a crystal through which current flows from the electrodes. This changes the molecular structure of the crystal, as a result of which the light that passes through it breaks and gets on the filter. As a result, we have a dot of the desired color on the screen.

Varieties of LCD TV matrices

At the moment, there are three main varieties of matrices operating on liquid crystals. Although the principle of operation is similar, the picture quality and price are very different.

The main varieties of this technology include:

• TN (Twisted Nematic). Here, the crystal molecule is twisted in a spiral, and when voltage is applied, it unwinds, thereby increasing the amount of transmitted light. Among the advantages of this approach are fast response time, low power consumption and affordable price. Its main minus is a small viewing angle.
• VA (Vertical Alignment). The decoding of this abbreviation is "vertical alignment", this explains well the principle of operation of this matrix. Here the crystals are perpendicular to the color filters. When current is applied, they unfold, increasing their throughput and forming the color of the pixel. The advantages of this technology include good viewing angles, more saturated black. Among the minuses can be noted a slight color deterioration in a side view.
• IPS (In-Plane Switching). The most expensive, but at the same time the best technology in terms of viewing angles. Its feature is the presence of electrodes on one side only. The main advantage of this type of matrix is ​​the best color rendering among all, which has become the standard of quality. Cons - large pixel size and response time, high price.

Each of these technologies has its own improvements that can eliminate or significantly reduce deficiencies. Special films, voltage amplification at the right pixels and other add-ons help improve image quality.

LED matrix

LED-based technology does not imply anything conceptually new in LCD displays. This is just a replacement for backlighting with CCFL, EEFL fluorescent lamps with LED Light-Emitting Diode. This approach allows you to organize the lighting of each pixel individually. Which makes it possible to obtain high-quality black.

IMPORTANT. LEDs, unlike fluorescent lamps, do not contain harmful gases. In addition, they consume significantly less electricity.

Today, there are two types of LED backlight:

• Along the edges of the screen (EDGE technology). This enables manufacturers to produce very thin displays.
• Throughout the area (DIRECT technology). Allows you to more brightly illuminate the center of the device, and make large screens.

LEDs are distinguished by their durability and cost-effectiveness, as well as give more uniform lighting.

How to determine the type of matrix in the TV?

The easiest method to determine the type of matrix is ​​to look at the packaging of the product. There should be indicated technology. Often, the manufacturer sticks a sticker on the TV on which the features and capabilities of the display are written. You can also search for a description of this model on the manufacturer's website or other Internet resources.

There are several more ways to find out the type of matrix. They will help if the necessary information could not be obtained by the methods described above. You can define it this way:

• View the screen at an angle. In the case of the TN display, the image will darken, the colors will be distorted. VA shades will become lighter, regardless of the viewing angle. The image quality of the IPS screen in this case will not change.
• Press the display. If it is with an IPS matrix, the image will not be distorted.
• By damaged pixels. IPS will have such a section in black, and TN in white.

Using one of these methods, you can easily determine the type of matrix installed on the TV.

Which matrix is ​​better on TVs?

The technology used in the TV directly affects the image quality. To make the right choice, first of all, you need to take into account your financial capabilities and technical requirements.

So the most inexpensive option would be a TN matrix media device. In modern models, small viewing angles are partially offset by an additional film that expands them.

VA displays are suitable for connoisseurs of high-quality pictures. Although their price is higher than TN, they are a very popular choice for home cinema.

Televisions based on IPS matrices are considered to be the best. The quality of their image is recognized as a reference. Regardless of the level of lighting and viewing angle, the picture remains unchanged. True, the price of such devices is not accessible to everyone.

Nowadays, the number of available technologies and solutions in the field of multimedia is growing rapidly. And making a choice sometimes becomes not so simple. The matrix is ​​an essential element of any TV. And knowledge of the characteristics of each of its species will help not to get lost among the variety that manufacturers offer us.