Why is the Fast-TN panel best for Esports?

There are various LCD display technologies on the market, each with its advantages and disadvantages — there is no perfect solution for every situation. When a player is engaged in a fast-paced FPS game, fast response is often the key to winning or losing. A key consideration in ZOWIE’s Esports monitor development process is the selection of the panel technology that produces fast response time and minimal ghosting and provides the best dynamic clarity, giving players the best gaming experience in the battle arena. And even a 1% difference in battle performance can determine the outcome of a fight.

The differences amongst LCD technologies mainly stem from differences in liquid crystal materials and structures. Common LCD panel technologies are divided into TN (Twisted Nematic), IPS (In-Plane-Switching), and VA (Vertical Alignment).

Since different types of panel technology have their own liquid crystal structure, each has its own performance characteristics. Thus each of these particular panel technologies has different advantages and disadvantages.

Manufacturers generally use the response time as the performance index for dynamic image sharpness. However, there is actually no uniform response time measurement or numerical definition method in the industry, and each manufacturer uses different standards to make claims in respect of their product’s response time. Therefore, any stated response time may differ in comparison to the perceived experience from a gamer's point of view.


A TN panel's fast response comes from its special liquid crystal material characteristics, which provides a clearer and sharper dynamic image quality compared with other LCD panel technologies. The video below compares the XL2546K (240Hz) with a IPS 240Hz monitor. Both monitors are set at the fastest setting for that monitor.


The video shows that the IPS monitor has more image noise because it is unable to handle that speed of response time.

A: The color performance is related to the specifications set during panel development. The Fast-TN panels used in the XL series cover 95%~99% of the sRGB color gamut, which means that the XL monitor meets the needs of most web pages or for video browsing purposes. So it is not necessarily the case that TN panels have poorer color performance. The XL monitor is also equipped with a Color Vibrance function, which enhances the color vividness of the game screen so that the enemy’s color can be more easily distinguished from the battleground.