What is IPS glow? It is a phenomenon that occurs when the corners of the monitor emit a glowing light. The glow is more visible to most people when watching dark content or working on the PC in a dark room. IPS glow is different from backlight bleeding, which often appears along the edges of the screen. Read on to learn more about this, and do not forget to check out some of the best gaming monitors available today.
Key Takeaways_
- IPS glow is harmless. The only downside is the discomfort it can offer when watching or working in a dark room.
- IPS glow is a technical issue and not a hardware issue.
- Most people cannot detect IPS glow in new machines. But it is vital to test it before purchasing.
What Causes IPS Glow?
In-plane switching (IPS) technology, a type of LCD panel technology, is renowned for its color accuracy and wide viewing angles, contributing to rich colors and superior image quality compared to other panel types.
However, one of the drawbacks of this panel type is the IPS glow, which is particularly noticeable on black screens and in dark environments.
The natural glow of IPS displays can affect the black levels, challenging the balance between color reproduction and contrast. It is important to remember this is not the same as backlight bleed.
While severe IPS glow can be distracting, most IPS monitors only exhibit a slight glow that does not significantly impact the overall viewing experience.
Although it is a known issue, you can reduce it to a point where it is not a hindrance during your viewing experience, just like how you can use a secondary monitor while gaming on the primary without interruptions.
Essentially, it is a manufacturing defect. Unfortunately, you cannot eradicate or prevent the issue from coming up.
Nano IPS is an advancement of this panel technology that reduces IPS glow while increasing color reproduction even further. These monitors will typically include variable refresh rates as well to further enhance your gaming experience.
What is the Effect of IPS Glow on my Monitor?
The glow patches do not harm your monitor, but they can cause discomfort to your eyes when you are either watching a movie or working in a dark room and dark content appears on the screen.
IPS glow is a frequent phenomenon, but most people are not able to notice it outrightly in most cases.
STAT: You can check out the IPS glow of your screen by setting your monitor’s brightness to 100% and then opening an image with the darkest background. (source)
The only reasonable way to prevent IPS glow is to replace your monitor by using your warranty. But in lots of instances, people just ignore the glow if it is not a distraction.
How to Reduce IPS Glow
Since IPS glow arises because of the inner workings of the display, it is not possible to fix the issue. So you might be wondering if a gaming monitor is worth it. Well, with some adjustments, you can contain the IPS glow to a level that does not interfere with the monitor’s display quality. Let us look at some of the techniques you can use to reduce IPS glow.
Adjust the brightness of the screen
High brightness contributes to IPS glow and eye strain. In your display settings, change the monitor brightness to a lower setting to enhance contrast and reduce IPS glow. In addition, this setting is suitable for your eyes.
Adjust the lights in the room
Ambient lighting in the environment can also influence the visibility of IPS glow; hence, adjusting ambient light is crucial in monitor adjustments. Always use brighter lights in the room to minimize the intensity of the IPS glow.
An anti-glare coating on the monitor can help reduce the bluish glow that is sometimes associated with IPS glow, making it less noticeable in certain situations.
Adjust the viewing angle
Since IPS glow appears to be more intense when viewing the screen from certain angles, you need to adjust your monitor’s position, height, and tilt. Play around with these settings to find the ideal settings that can guarantee minimum IPS glow.
Monitor brightness and brightness settings play a vital role in mitigating IPS glow.
For gamers, the slight IPS glow might not detract from the game, thanks to the IPS display’s wider viewing angles and color reproduction.
However, backlight leakage, a common issue in LCD technology, can exacerbate IPS glow in certain types of monitors.
Understanding the nuances of panel technology and making appropriate monitor adjustments is key to enjoying the benefits of an IPS monitor while minimizing its drawbacks.
