Why VA Gaming Monitors Kinda Suck...

Summary

In this video, the creator shares their experience with VA-based gaming monitors, highlighting the stark contrast between the deep blacks offered by VA panels and the motion blur issues that can affect gaming performance. After disappointing experiences with two VA monitors, the Samsung G302 and the Cooler Master GM34CQARGB, due to smearing and motion artifacts, a comparison is made with an IPS alternative. The LG 34GN850 is tested against the VA panels, showing better motion rendering. The video concludes that while VA panels excel in contrast, the motion issues may be a deal-breaker for some gamers, and high-end Samsung VA panels might offer a solution.

Takeaways

• 🎮 The speaker finds VA-based gaming monitors unsuitable for gaming due to motion smearing issues.
• 🖥️ A comparison between IPS and VA panels shows VA panels have better contrast ratios but suffer from motion blur.
• 😐 The Samsung G302 VA monitor was disappointing due to its blurry motion rendering, leading to its quick return.
• 👍 The LG IPS monitor was preferred over the Samsung VA for its better motion rendering despite similar specs.
• 🌌 The Cooler Master gm34cqargb VA monitor was criticized for its severe black smearing problem during motion.
• 🔧 The monitor's settings like overdrive and Clarity settings were insufficient to fix the smearing issue.
• 🎨 The extent of black smearing on the VA panel was found to vary significantly depending on the scene's color palette.
• 🛍️ The speaker bought an LG 850 IPS monitor to compare with the VA panel and found less smearing and better motion.
• 🔄 The inconsistency of smearing in games like No Man's Sky made the speaker realize the issue is color-dependent.
• 🏆 The LG 32GK60 VA monitor was tested for comparison, but it also showed significant motion smearing.
• 🤔 High-end Samsung VA panels are rumored to have solved the smearing problem, but the speaker hasn't tested them personally.

Q & A

What is the main issue the author has with VA-based gaming monitors?

The author finds that VA monitors, despite their strengths, have significant motion blur and smearing issues that negatively impact the gaming experience.

What is the primary advantage of VA panels over IPS panels as mentioned in the script?

VA panels offer a superior contrast ratio, being much better at displaying deep black levels compared to IPS panels.

What game did the author play on the Samsung G302 VA monitor, and what issue did they encounter?

The author played 'Escape from Tarkov' on the Samsung G302 and found the motion rendering to be blurry, making it difficult to spot enemy players at a distance.

What was the author's first impression of the Cooler Master gm34cqargb VA monitor?

The author was initially impressed by the beautiful image, bright and contrasty colors of the Cooler Master gm34cqargb, but the motion rendering with its smearing problem was very disappointing.

What settings did the author try to adjust on the VA monitors to combat motion blur?

The author tried adjusting settings such as overdrive and clarity settings in the display menus to improve motion rendering.

How did the author's experience with the LG IPS display compare to the VA monitor in terms of motion rendering?

The author found the motion rendering on the LG IPS display to be much better, without the smearing effect experienced on the VA monitor.

What is the difference between the LG 850 IPS monitor and the Cooler Master VA panel in terms of panel technology?

The LG 850 uses a nano IPS panel, while the Cooler Master VA panel uses quantum dot technology, which is referred to as a 'gimmick' in the script.

Which game did the author find to have less smearing issues on the VA panel?

The author found 'Battlefield 5' to have less noticeable smearing issues on the VA panel, depending on the map.

How does the extent of black smearing on the VA panel vary depending on the color palette of the scene?

The extent of black smearing on the VA panel varies massively depending on the color palette, with some color schemes causing more smearing than others.

What did the author conclude about the suitability of VA panels for gaming?

The author concluded that while VA panels have excellent contrast ratios, the motion rendering issues with smearing make them a deal-breaker for gaming.

What did the author suggest about high-end Samsung VA panels in the closing thoughts?

The author mentioned that some high-end Samsung VA panels, as reviewed by others, seem to have mostly solved the smearing problem, but they did not have first-hand experience with these monitors.