H-IPS vs S-IPS

Are there big differences between H-IPS A-TW panels (as used in NEC 2690WUXi or new iMac) and older S-IPS (used in HAZRO HZ24W, NEC 2490WUXi or NEC LCD20WGX2)? Anyone had a chance to compare them? Not sure if it's worth waiting for more H-IPS monitors available or just stick with the older panels. What do you think?

H-IPS is just a variation of IPS technology with a different pixel structure to improve the aperture ratio: http://link.aip.org/link/?DTPSDS/35/245/1

I took these pictures a while back:

AS-IPS (NEC 20WMGX2):


H-IPS (NEC LCD2490WUXi):


Visually, the differences are minor. H-IPS panels have less spacing between the pixels and a slightly higher contrast ratio, and H-IPS panels don't have the sparkly look that S-IPS panels have. Other than that, they're similar.

The NEC LCD2490WUXi, NEC LCD2690WUXi, Hazro HZ24W, Hazro HZ26W, Planar PX2611W, and the 24" iMac all have H-IPS panels, but the Planar and the iMac don't have the A-TW polarizer. The A-TW polarizer improves black viewing angles and gets rid of the annoying glow that IPS panels have at slight angles, which gives it better visual contrast.

Here is a comparison shot I took between the NEC LCD2690WUXi and the Planar:


That pretty much gives the NEC and Hazro monitors the best viewing angles out of all the LCD monitors out there, which makes it look good even in a dark room.

ToastyX thank's a loooot! That's a great explanation. Sweeeet.... I think I am starting to have much clearer picture now and the Hazro looks like the winner again. I was leaning towards NEC 20WMGX2 for a moment - I wanted to wait until there's more IPS options avilable in the 24'' department. I even started considering NEC 2690WUXi even though I don't need such a powerful monitor. I simply couldn't find too much information about what panels Hazro uses in their monitors and how they compare with the other IPS panels available here in UK. Thank's again!

The Doublesight DS-263N 26" is a H-IPS as its based off of the Planar, correct?

Yup. Thats the one I'm leaning towards. Some people have mentioned its polarizer doesnt give it as good of picture as it is capable of.

I have 2690 and I like it

Originally Posted by ToastyX

H-IPS is just a variation of IPS technology with a different pixel structure to improve the aperture ratio: http://link.aip.org/link/?DTPSDS/35/245/1
I took these pictures a while back:

AS-IPS (NEC 20WMGX2):


H-IPS (NEC LCD2490WUXi):

Almost looks like they put a blur/diffraction filter in front of the pixel structure on the second. I tried to take a pic of this on my 3007-hc but my camera macro wasn't good enough.

That's due to the anti-glare coating.

Here is a 23" Apple for comparison:

So how can you even tell the pixel structure is different?

I took too bright of a picture, but you can still see that the pixels on the Apple point to the right instead of the left like on the 20WMGX2. The pixels on H-IPS panels are straight, and the gap between the rows is also smaller. If I could take a picture of a glossy 24" iMac, I could probably get a much clearer picture.

Also, I found this:


H-IPS looks very similar to IPS-Pro, also known has IPS-Alpha. I don't know if they're the same or not, but they might be based on the same concept.

Here is a picture I found of IPS-Alpha:


That looks very much like H-IPS. The pixels even stagger the same way as the viewing angles increase towards the edges of the picture, something not shown in my pictures.

As for real-world differences, when I first saw an H-IPS panel, I thought it looked slightly fuzzy compared to S-IPS panels, especially with antialiased text. The pixels seemed to blend together differently. I find that S-IPS panels are sharper while H-IPS panels are a little smoother. Other than that and the anti-glare coating, they're very similar.

Wow the picture of the IPS-Alpha looks well trippy haha could use that for people on drugs lol, but seriously Self Employed Liability Insurance looks good!!

I believe your second statement "they mgiht be based on the same concept" seems more likely to be true than they're the same but please prove me wrong if you get evidence saying otherwise