The Glaring Issue with IPS Panels: Dealing with IPS Glow

Are you tired of that annoying halo effect ruining your gaming and viewing experience on your IPS monitor? You’re not alone! IPS panels, known for their excellent color accuracy and wide viewing angles, have a notorious drawback – IPS glow. This frustrating phenomenon can make dark scenes in games and movies look like they’re surrounded by a fuzzy halo, robbing you of the immersive experience you deserve.

In this article, we’ll dive into the world of IPS glow, explore the limitations of IPS displays, and provide some tips to mitigate its impact. Let’s get started!

Understanding IPS Glow

IPS (In-Plane Switching) panels are popular for their vibrant colors and wide viewing angles, making them a preferred choice for content creators and gamers alike. However, one Achilles’ heel of IPS displays is the dreaded IPS glow.

IPS glow is the result of light leakage from the panel’s edges, particularly noticeable in darker scenes or when viewing the monitor at off-angles. It manifests as a faint, often distracting glow that can degrade image quality and contrast. This phenomenon is inherent to the technology used in IPS panels.

The Impact of IPS Glow on Gaming

Imagine playing a dark, atmospheric game like “Alan Wake 2” on your high-refresh-rate IPS monitor, only to be greeted by a frustrating halo effect around the edges of the screen. This halo makes it seem like there’s a fuzzy aura surrounding the game’s dark scenes, obscuring detail and ruining the mood.

The issue becomes more pronounced in games and content with low brightness levels or during scenes that demand deep blacks. IPS glow can significantly diminish your gaming experience, making it difficult to appreciate the visual richness of such titles.

Mitigating IPS Glow

While IPS glow is a fundamental characteristic of IPS displays, there are some strategies you can employ to minimize its impact:

1. Reducing Brightness: Lowering the monitor’s brightness can help alleviate the glow. While this may make the image appear dimmer, it can make the glow less conspicuous, especially in dark environments.
2. Bias Lighting: Adding bias lighting behind your monitor can help by reducing the perceived contrast between the screen and your surroundings. This can make the glow less noticeable.
3. Choosing the Right Panel: If you’re in the market for a new monitor and want to avoid IPS glow altogether, consider displays with different panel technologies, such as OLED or VA (Vertical Alignment). These panels have their own advantages and drawbacks, but they don’t suffer from IPS glow.
4. Local Dimming (Limited to Some LCD TVs): Certain high-end LCD TVs employ local dimming technology, which can reduce backlight bleed and mitigate glow in specific areas of the screen. However, this feature is rarely found in PC monitors.
5. Using a Dark Room: Ensure your gaming environment has adequate ambient lighting. A well-lit room can help minimize the visibility of IPS glow during darker scenes.
6. Consider an OLED Monitor: If you want the best possible contrast and blacks without IPS glow, consider investing in an OLED monitor. These displays provide stunning image quality and are becoming increasingly popular for gaming.

The Allure of OLED

OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) displays have been gaining traction in the PC gaming world, offering unparalleled contrast ratios and true blacks. With OLED monitors, you won’t have to worry about IPS glow or backlight bleed. These displays are known for their exceptional image quality and are becoming more accessible for consumers.

For gamers seeking the ultimate visual experience, OLED monitors are an enticing option. They provide deep blacks, vibrant colors, and fast response times, making them a top choice for those who demand the best from their gaming displays.

Conclusion

IPS glow may be an inherent drawback of IPS displays, but it doesn’t have to ruin your gaming or viewing experience. By employing some of the strategies mentioned above, you can mitigate its impact and continue to enjoy your IPS monitor for its color accuracy and wide viewing angles.

However, if you’re truly seeking to eliminate IPS glow entirely, OLED monitors stand as a promising alternative. These displays offer exceptional image quality and contrast without the halo effect, making them a worthy investment for serious gamers and content creators.

In the end, the choice between an IPS display with some glow or an OLED monitor with none comes down to your priorities and budget. Whichever path you choose, may your gaming and viewing experiences be filled with vibrant visuals and immersive worlds!