IPS (In-Plane-Switching) LCD display technology has a number of advantages over Twisted Neumatic (TN) LCD displays which have dominated the LCD HDTV market and are explained in detail in our LCD display technology guide. Advantages include; genuinely wide viewing angles (horizontal and vertical planes), excellent light transmittance (higher brightness) and better color reproduction. Resolution of earlier problems like slow response times and low contrast ratios combined with production cost reductions leave IPS LCD displays ready to increase market penetration.

IPS Development

IPS LCD display technology was first developed in 1996 by Hitachi Ltd in an effort to improve upon the weaknesses of the LCD display technology at the time. The primary difference between IPS and TN panels is that the crystal molecules move parallel to the panel plane instead of perpendicular to it. This alignment change produces desirable effects such as a reduction of light scattering in the matrix, improvement of viewing angles and better color reproduction.
Initially, slow response times and low contrast ratios hampered the introduction of IPS displays. While these problems have been resolved, higher prices have kept IPS displays tied to applications such as premium PC monitors for professional use. However, the situation is presently changing. IPS LCD display technologies pioneered by both Hitachi and LG are widening market penetration.

LG Display IPS LCD

LG Philips entered the IPS display technology arena by improving upon Hitachi’s Super IPS (S-IPS). The S-IPS displays were built upon the strengths of IPS by employing an advanced “multi-domain” liquid crystal alignment. LG Philips made steady improvements to their IPS LCD technology and the latest, most promising, incarnation (released in 2009) by LG Display (Philips sold all its shares in 2008), is Enhanced Super IPS (e-IPS). LG Display has improved the structure of the TFT (thin-film transistor) to increase the aperture ratio and consequently boost brightness levels and lower backlight lamp power requirements (which delivers significant cost savings). E-IPS also improves upon the previous generation by extending the viewing angle benefits to off-axis directions (45 degrees to the horizontal and vertical). No less significant are the excellent response times of under 5ms (gray-to-gray with ODC overdrive circuitry) and a dynamic contrast ratio of 1600:1.

Recent technology breakthroughs such as by LG Display called e-IPS have set the stage for the commencement of IPS entry into the general consumer market. LG Display is confident that its e-IPS LCD panels will be price competitive with TN LCD panels.

LG Display already has numerous lower cost monitors on the market using e-IPS and matching TN LCD TFT prices.

Apple’s new iPad has a 9.7-inch, 1024-by-768 resolution, LED backlit, IPS LCD displays from LG Display. One of the main reasons for using an IPS display is it’s stability when touched. The iPad’s popularity it’s delivering a significant boost to IPS LCD display production. There is also the wide viewing angle of up to 178 degrees which features in advertising.

Hitachi IPS LCD

As mentioned, IPS LCD display technology was first developed in 1996 by Hitachi Ltd. Hitachi’s vehicle for development of IPS LCD display technology, Hitachi Liquid Crystal TV Display changed its name to IPS Alpha Technology in January 2005. IPS Alpha Technology, Ltd. operates as a subsidiary of Hitachi Displays, Ltd.

Since 1996 IPS Alpha Technology’s IPS LCD technology has evolved to Super-IPS then Advanced-Super IPS finally through to the latest IPS-Pro. Improvements in the latest IPS-Pro panel are a wider color gamut and improved contrast ratio.

IPS Alpha Technology also designs and manufactures IPS panels for flat panel HDTVs and early in 2010 began shipping panels primarily for Panasonic. The latest production facility was supported by an investment by Panasonic. Panasonic brought IPS LCD display HDTVs to the market in 2010 with its Panasonic VIERA LED LCD models.