How to check display quality of laptop, Monitor, TV

When buying a new laptop, monitor, or TV, you naturally want a device that performs well and provides a comfortable user experience. The display is one of the most important features that can significantly affect usability. In this article, I’ll walk you through the key factors to consider when evaluating screen quality.

There are two main methods to assess the screen before buying: you can either review the technical specifications online or, if possible, see the device in person at a store.

Method 1: Analyzing the Technical Specifications

To make it easier, I’ve grouped the key display parameters in order of importance, from the most crucial to the least.

1. Display Technology

The type of display technology is one of the most important aspects to consider. Currently, displays are primarily made using two technologies: LED and OLED. OLED screens generally offer superior image quality and represent the peak of display innovation.

• OLED Displays: Each pixel in an OLED display emits its own light, resulting in excellent image quality. However, OLED displays tend to be more expensive and have lower overall brightness, which is designed to extend the display’s lifespan. If you’re considering an OLED TV, check out options like Samsung’s QD-OLED or LG’s OLED EVO.
  • OLED EVO: A high-end OLED display from LG, known for its increased brightness. This is achieved through tiny mirrors near the pixels, which redirect light more efficiently, boosting brightness by up to 30%.
  • QD-OLED: Samsung’s technology offers higher brightness with larger, more light-emitting pixels. The downside is that these displays consume more power and generate more heat.
• LED Displays: The quality of LED displays varies widely due to different manufacturing technologies and materials used. Here’s a breakdown of the key types:
  • LED TN: An outdated technology still found in some laptops and monitors. Its main drawbacks are poor color reproduction and narrow viewing angles.
  • LED VA: Displays made with VA technology are known for their high contrast and good color accuracy, offering a well-rounded visual experience.
  • LED IPS: These displays are brighter but often have lower contrast than VA. One major drawback is their inability to produce deep blacks, as light can bleed through closed pixels.
• QLED: This is an improved version of LED technology, using quantum dots to enhance color purity. Both QLED VA and QLED IPS displays offer superior color accuracy and brightness compared to standard LED screens.

2. Color Depth

The quality of color reproduction on different screens can vary considerably. One key indicator is color depth, often measured in bits 6, 8, or 10.

• 6-bit displays provide essential color reproduction and are used in lower-end devices.
• 8-bit displays provide higher-quality color reproduction, but there is also a variation of 8-bit + FRC (Frame Rate Control). This technology artificially increases the number of hues by alternating color tones in successive frames, creating the illusion of smoother gradients. However, it cannot match the quality of true 10-bit displays.
• 10-bit displays are the gold standard, providing the most accurate and vibrant colors without compromise.
• 12-bit displays – not found in the consumer electronics segment, this is the realm for professional displays.

In addition to color depth, manufacturers often specify compliance with specific color standards. For example, you might see a monitor with a description that supports “125% of the sRGB color space.” While this sounds impressive, it’s important to remember that sRGB was designed as a simplified color space for web browsing, and exceeding this standard doesn’t necessarily mean better quality. Furthermore, monitors optimized for sRGB are generally considered mediocre.

3. Frame rate

Frame rate, measured in hertz (Hz), plays a vital role in the smoothness of motion on the screen. A higher frequency means a smoother image, which is especially important for gaming.

Monitors with 50 Hz, 60 Hz, or 75 Hz frame rates tend to have displays made in outdated factories. Despite their affordable price, they tend to offer only essential performance but are pretty standard.
The 100 Hz and 120 Hz monitors are more advanced, offering smoother movements and better image quality. Some models even support 144 or 175 Hz for increased smoothness.
240Hz monitors are advertised as gaming displays that offer ultra-fast response times. However, you should be careful when choosing such monitors, as high frame rates are sometimes achieved at the expense of other display parameters. For example, a 240Hz monitor may have a color depth of only 8 bits and support a narrower color space than sRGB, which can result in lower overall image quality.

Method 2: Evaluating the Monitor, Laptop, or TV in the Store

If you have the opportunity to assess the display quality in a store, you can do so without any special tools or test images. Simply observe the screen from different angles.

• TN Panel: If the image fades significantly when viewed from even a slight side angle, the display is likely using a TN panel.
• VA Panel: If brightness and contrast drop moderately, especially when viewed from above or below, it is likely a VA panel.
• IPS Panel: If there is little to no change in contrast and brightness regardless of the angle, the display uses an IPS panel.
• OLED Display: You’ll immediately notice the superior image quality of OLED displays—they stand out clearly in terms of visual performance.

You can also visually distinguish between budget and premium displays based on the overall image quality. However, assessing color depth is more challenging since most people perceive a limited number of color shades, and this varies from person to person. For example, one person might distinguish up to 400,000 shades of red, while another might only see around 10,000.

How to Check Display Parameters

If you have a laptop, monitor, or TV, you can find out the display’s parameters using your device’s operating system. Modern monitors and TVs support communication protocols with the OS and report their specifications.

On Mac:

1. Open System Preferences.
2. Select Displays.
3. Here, you can view the screen resolution and adjust settings like refresh rate, brightness, and color profile.

On Windows:

1. Right-click on the desktop and select Display Settings.
2. In the Display section, you can see basic settings such as resolution, scaling, screen orientation, and multiple display options (if connected).
3. Scroll down and select Advanced Display Settings, where you will find information about refresh rate (Hz), color depth, and display mode.

Conclusion

Use both methods: study the technical specifications and, if possible, test the device in real-world conditions. It’s also helpful to read reviews or watch videos, but remember that some issues may only become apparent after several months or even years of use.