Ghid Tehnologii Ecran: Diferente LED, IPS, Retina si VA | Office Max

Screen Technology Guide: Differences Between LED, IPS, Retina and VA | Office Max

Technical Guide to Choosing the Right Screen

When selecting a professional monitor, understanding the screen construction technology is essential to ensure visual performance and workflow compatibility.

1. Types of Lighting and Display Technologies

LED (Light Emitting Diode)

LED technology is the current standard for liquid crystal displays (LCDs). It uses diodes for backlighting, offering low power consumption and a compact design.

  • Edge LED: The diodes are placed on the edge of the screen , allowing for a reduced thickness of the device.
  • Direct LED: The diodes are distributed behind the display surface, ensuring uniform brightness.

RETINA (High Pixel Density)

The concept of a Retina display refers to a pixel density so high (PPI - Pixels Per Inch) that the human eye cannot distinguish individual dots from a normal viewing distance. This type of display offers exceptional clarity of text and graphics, and is used in environments where visual accuracy is critical.

PLASMA (PDP - Plasma Display Panel)

Self-emissive technology previously used in large formats. Each pixel is a cell of ionized gas that emits its own light. Although it offers high contrast, it has been replaced by LED technologies due to high energy consumption, weight and the risk of image retention on the screen .


2. Classification of Screens by Matrix Technology

The way the liquid crystals are arranged inside the screen determines the viewing angles and color fidelity.

Screen Type Performance application
IPS (In-Plane Switching) It offers the widest viewing angles and accurate colors. Design, planning, multi- screen stations.
VA (Vertical Alignment) It excels in contrast and deep black reproduction. Data analysis, multimedia, surveillance.
TN (Twisted Nematic) High response speed, cost-effectiveness. General office use, administrative tasks.

3. Critical Technical Parameters

Resolution and Clarity

Resolution defines the number of pixels on a screen . A high resolution on a small diagonal results in a high PPI density, which means a sharper image. The most common standards are FHD (1920x1080), QHD (2560x1440) and 4K (3840x2160).

Refresh Rate (Hz)

It represents the number of times the image on the screen is updated in one second. A rate of 100Hz ensures much smoother movement of windows and the cursor than the standard 60Hz, reducing eye fatigue.

Screen Surface Treatment

  • Anti-glare (Matte): Prevents reflections of ambient light by dispersing rays across the screen surface.
  • Glossy: Enhances contrast and colors, but is sensitive to direct light sources.

4. Ergonomics and Connectivity

A professional display should offer flexibility through stands that allow height adjustment, tilt and swivel. Connectivity is provided through modern digital interfaces (HDMI, DisplayPort) or, in the case of previous generation systems, through analog interfaces (VGA).

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