Have you ever noticed that when you look at your monitor from the side, the colours might look slightly off, or the image might seem darker?
That’s all about viewing angles.
But what exactly are these viewing angles?
In simple terms, a monitor’s viewing angle refers to the maximum angle at which a display can be viewed with acceptable visual performance.
It’s usually measured in degrees and tells us how far we can move to the side or up and down before the screen’s image quality decreases.
Importance of Viewing Angles in Monitors
Like the screen size, resolution, and refresh rate, the viewing angle of your monitor plays a significant role in your overall viewing experience.
Here’s why:
1. Color Consistency:
The wider the viewing angle, the better the colour consistency.
When the angle is small, colours can shift when you look at the screen from different positions.
2. Image Clarity:
The image remains clear and crisp at wide viewing angles, essential for activities like graphic design or watching movies.
3. Multiple Viewers:
A monitor with a wide viewing angle is great if more than one person is looking at the screen simultaneously, like when sharing a movie or presentation.
Types of Viewing Angles
There are two types of viewing angles: horizontal and vertical.
1. Horizontal Viewing Angle:
This is the maximum angle at which a display can be viewed from the side.
2. Vertical Viewing Angle:
This refers to the maximum angle at which a display can be viewed above or below.
Most monitors have wider horizontal than vertical viewing angles.
Monitors and Viewing Angles
There are different types of monitors, each with characteristic viewing angles.
1. TN (Twisted Nematic) Panels
TN panels are the oldest and most common type of panel. They are cheap and have fast refresh rates, but their viewing angles are not the best.
They often have viewing angles around 170 degrees horizontal and 160 degrees vertical.
2. IPS (In-Plane Switching) Panels
IPS panels are known for their excellent colour accuracy and wide viewing angles, usually around 178 degrees horizontally and vertically.
3. VA (Vertical Alignment) Panels
Balancing both TN and IPS panels. VA Panels have better viewing angles than TN panels and better contrast ratios than IPS panels.
FAQ
Ques 1: What is a good viewing angle for a monitor?
Ans: A good viewing angle for a monitor is usually around 178 degrees horizontally and vertically. This offers the best image quality from different viewing positions.
Ques 2: Do viewing angles matter for gaming?
Ans: Yes, they do. For a more immersive gaming experience, you want a monitor with wide viewing angles to maintain colour consistency and image clarity.
Ques 3: Are viewing angles important for a single user?
Ans: Viewing angles still matter, even if you only use your monitor. They affect colour accuracy, contrast, and overall image quality, especially if you move around a lot.
Conclusion
So there you have it! That’s the lowdown on monitor viewing angles.
Remember, when choosing a monitor, don’t just focus on the size or resolution.
Consider the viewing angles too. It might distinguish between an ‘okay’ and an ‘awesome’ viewing experience!
