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.

Outlines

00:00

🎮 VA Monitors and Gaming Experience

The speaker shares their personal experience with VA-based gaming monitors, expressing dissatisfaction with their performance in gaming due to motion smearing. They compare the motion display of an IPS and a VA monitor, highlighting the blurriness of the latter. The speaker also mentions the superior contrast ratio of VA panels but emphasizes that it's overshadowed by the motion rendering issues. Sponsorship from the be quiet! Silent Wing 4 fan is acknowledged, and the speaker's first disappointing experience with a Samsung G302 VA monitor is discussed, due to its blurry motion rendering, leading to its quick return. A comparison with an LG IPS monitor with similar specs is made, noting the significant difference in motion clarity.

05:01

🖥 In-Depth Analysis of VA Panel Issues

This paragraph delves deeper into the issues faced with VA panels, particularly the smearing problem that worsens with movement. The speaker's second experience with a VA panel, the Cooler Master GM34CQARGB, is described, noting its beautiful static image quality but poor motion rendering with significant black smearing. Various in-game comparisons between the VA and IPS panels are made, illustrating the overshoot and blurriness of the VA panel. The inconsistency of smearing depending on the color palette is discussed, affecting not only gaming but also general browsing in dark mode. The speaker also compares the LG 32GK60 VA monitor with the Cooler Master VA, finding similar issues with motion rendering despite some differences in the extent of smearing. The paragraph concludes with the speaker's overall impression that while both IPS and VA panels have shortcomings, the motion rendering issues of VA panels are a deal-breaker for gaming.

Keywords

💡VA-based gaming monitors

VA, or Vertical Alignment, refers to a type of liquid crystal display panel technology used in monitors. In the video, the creator discusses their experiences with VA-based gaming monitors, noting that despite their strengths, they are not ideal for gaming due to issues with motion rendering. The term is central to the video's theme as it sets the stage for the comparison between VA and IPS panels in gaming scenarios.

💡IPS gaming monitor

IPS stands for In-Plane Switching, another type of LCD panel technology that offers wide viewing angles and consistent color reproduction. The video contrasts IPS gaming monitors with VA-based ones, highlighting the superior motion clarity of IPS panels in gaming situations. The script mentions the comparison between motion on an IPS panel and a VA panel, illustrating the difference in motion rendering.

💡Motion smearing

Motion smearing is a visual artifact that occurs when fast-moving objects in a display leave a trail or blur, making it difficult to see details clearly. The video emphasizes the issue of motion smearing in VA panels, using it as a primary point of criticism. The term is exemplified in the script through the comparison of a 'smury asteroid' on a VA panel versus clearer motion on an IPS panel.

💡Contrast ratio

Contrast ratio is the difference between the brightest white and the darkest black that a display can show. The video points out that VA panels excel in offering a higher contrast ratio compared to IPS panels, which struggle to display deep black levels. This is a key advantage of VA panels mentioned in the script, despite the motion rendering issues.

💡Response time

Response time in a display refers to the time it takes for a pixel to change from one color to another, which affects the clarity of motion. The video discusses response time in the context of both VA and IPS panels, noting that even VA panels with impressive response time specifications can suffer from motion blur. The term is used to highlight the discrepancy between specifications and real-world performance.

💡Overdrive and Clarity settings

Overdrive and Clarity settings are options within a monitor's menu that can help reduce motion blur and improve the sharpness of moving images. The script mentions these settings in the context of trying to mitigate the smearing issue on a VA panel, suggesting that they can be adjusted to improve motion rendering but may not completely solve the problem.

💡Color palette

A color palette refers to the range of colors used in a visual display. The video explains that the extent of black smearing on a VA panel can vary significantly depending on the color palette of the scene, affecting the display's performance in different games and even while browsing in dark mode. This concept is crucial for understanding the inconsistency of the VA panel's performance.

💡Gaming display

A gaming display is a monitor specifically designed or optimized for gaming, with features like high refresh rates and low response times to provide a smooth gaming experience. The video's main theme revolves around evaluating VA and IPS panels as gaming displays, focusing on their motion rendering capabilities and suitability for gaming.

💡Nano IPS

Nano IPS is a term used to describe a type of IPS panel that uses nanometer-sized particles to enhance color accuracy and reproduction. The script mentions a monitor with a Nano IPS panel, positioning it as an alternative to a VA panel and noting its superior motion rendering capabilities.

💡Deal breaker

A deal breaker is a feature or issue that makes something unacceptable or undesirable, causing one to decide against it. In the context of the video, the motion rendering issues of VA panels are described as a deal breaker for the creator when considering them as gaming displays, despite their other advantages.

💡High-end Samsung VA panels

The video script mentions high-end Samsung VA panels as an exception, suggesting that they may have solved the motion smearing problem experienced in other VA panels. This indicates that not all VA panels are the same and that technological advancements may have addressed some of the issues discussed in the video.

Highlights

The presenter's opinion that VA-based gaming monitors are not ideal for gaming due to motion smearing issues.

A comparison of motion display between an IPS and a VA gaming monitor, illustrating the smearing effect on the VA panel.

The mention of life's complexities where VA panels and IPS panels have their own strengths and weaknesses.

Introduction of the sponsor 'be quiet silent Wing' for their contribution to the monitor used in the video.

The presenter's initial excitement and subsequent disappointment with the Samsung G302 VA panel due to motion blur.

The difficulty in spotting enemies in games like Escape from Tarkov due to motion blur on VA panels.

The comparison of response time and refresh rate specs between a 24-inch LG IPS display and the Samsung G302 VA panel.

The presenter's second disappointing experience with the Cooler Master gm34cqargb VA panel due to severe black smearing.

The ineffectiveness of overdrive and Clarity settings in reducing motion artifacts on the Cooler Master VA panel.

The purchase of a comparable IPS alternative to the VA panel for a direct comparison in gaming performance.

First impressions of the LG 850 IPS monitor showing a significant improvement in motion rendering compared to the VA panel.

The inconsistency of smearing intensity depending on the color palette of the game scene on the VA panel.

The impact of smearing on non-gaming activities like dark mode browsing on the Cooler Master VA panel.

The purchase of the LG 32GK60 to test if the smearing issue is consistent across different VA monitors.

The LG V8 Monitor's larger screen size and 1440p resolution, and the presenter's positive first impression.

The persistent smearing issue on the LG V8 Monitor, despite it being less severe than the Cooler Master VA.

The presenter's closing thoughts on the trade-off between the contrast ratio of VA panels and the motion rendering issues.

A call to action for viewers to share their experiences with VA panels in gaming in the comments section.

Mention of high-end Samsung VA panels that reportedly solve the smearing problem, but the presenter's lack of personal experience with them.

The presenter's final note on the discrepancy between theoretical promise and practical experience with technology.

Transcripts

over the last while I've been living with some  va-based gaming monitors and I quickly came to  

the conclusion which is my opinion of course  that VA monitors despite many strengths kind  

of suck for gaming now if you want a very  condensed reason why I think that here is  

some motion being displayed on an IPS gaming  monitor whereas here is some motion being  

displayed on a va-based gaming monitor oh look  at that smearing now as is always the case with  

life it's not quite as straightforward as  VA panels give you cholera and IPS panels  

give you belly rubs so we're gonna have a  closer look at gaming on VA panels in this  

video to see how we feel about it by the  end of it but before we get into that it's  

time for a word from today's video sponsor  that helped buy some monitors for the video

in a world dominated by garbage  trash fans one fan Rises to the  

top with uncompromised build quality  and a dedication to Performance the  

be quiet silent Wing fours lay waste to  the competition no unicorn vomit gimmicks  

just silent performance and dependable  reliability the be quiet silent Wing Force

foreign

experience with a VA panel was earlier this  year with a Samsung g302 and I was really  

excited to try it out because VA solves one  of the biggest shortcomings of ips displays  

contrast ratio IPS displays really struggle  to display deep black levels and VA is much  

better at it although my excitement evaporated  quickly for the g302 because the motion rendering  

was very blurry which in a game like escape  from tarkov which I was playing a lot back  

then it makes it really difficult to spot enemy  players far off in the distance because every  

time you move everything just kind of blurs  together it didn't look very good so I sent  

it back quite quickly and replaced it with a  24 inch LG IPS display which despite having  

very similar response time and refresh rate  specs had motion rendering that didn't feel  

like it was rubbing Vaseline into my eyes every  time I touched my mouse and this was my first  

disappointing experience with VA you can have  black levels deeper than the Mariana Trench  

but if the monitor has built-in heavy motion  blur it's not going to be a good gaming display

now my second experience with a VA panel was  by far the longest and most disappointing and  

it was with this Cooler Master gm34 cqargb  what a beautiful name now don't get me wrong  

this monitor has a beautiful image it's bright  contrasty the colors pop and are really amazing  

but that's with static images the moment that  there's movement things all fall apart really  

badly it has a pretty serious black smearing  problem with movement that picture that I showed  

you in the beginning of the video of the smury  asteroid yes that one that was from this display  

the smearing problem is so bad on this monitor  that in the video where I first looked at it I  

was convinced the panel was damaged in shipping  but a lot of people commented on that video  

saying nah that's just what VA looks like now in  the displays menus there are a lot of settings  

to help combat this things like overdrive and  Clarity settings but that smeary asteroid picture  

was with the best settings I could find for the  monitor in terms of motion rendering having said  

that it is better in some games than others  Battlefield 5 for example doesn't have an  

immediately obvious smearing problem at least  depending on the map so despite having very  

impressive response time and refresh rate specs  this monitor has a really bad motion artifact  

which after spending a month using this monitor as  my primary gaming display I just couldn't get used  

to it it's so distracting so I decided to go out  and buy a comparable IPS alternative to this VA  

Ultra wide so that they can battle it out it's a  surprisingly light big monitor now for this video  

I went out and bought this GN 850 by LG because  aside from two characteristics it being an IPS  

as opposed to a VA and it having a slightly less  aggressive curve to it specs wise this monitor  

is remarkably similar to that Cooler Master  VA panel I've been using it's even got a nano  

IPS panel compared to the quantum.va on the other  monitor so it's like gimmick IPS versus gimmick VA  

and first impressions were very positive yeah  the motion is so much better than it is on the VA  

panel like it is a remarkable difference between  the two actually but remember earlier in the video  

I said Battlefield 5 wasn't nearly the worst  offender when it came to the smearing on the VA  

panel so let's get to some other comparisons first  I tried out some high contrast CS go with the IPS  

display in its stock configuration compared to  the VA panel in the best motion settings now  

this is by no means a perfect test but it does  help to illustrate the difference the VA panel  

has a lot more overshoot and the edges of the  gun is quite a bit more blurry and despite being  

said to the same refresh rate and having similar  response times to my eye in person the VA looked  

a lot blurrier I then moved over to No Man's sky  where initially subjectively I didn't notice much  

of a difference between the two displays which  I found really weird considering that I noticed  

really bad smearing while using the VA panel  at home so I got into my ship flew around a bit  

it and eventually found some smearing on the VA  and the inconsistency of the smearing intensity  

in no man's sky made me realize something which I  quickly confirmed playing around in Photoshop the  

extent to the black smearing on this Cooler Master  VA panel varies massively depending on the color  

palette of the scene which is why some games smear  more than others on this display and considering  

the worst defending color palette it's real bad  news for people who like to use dark mode browsing  

even just scrolling through a dark Mode YouTube  feed on this Cooler Master VA looks pretty rough  

which shows it's not only a problem for gaming  but don't get me wrong even motion that is in a  

color palette that doesn't offend this monitor is  still pretty bad looking but at least it doesn't  

have that deep black smearing in it but is that  the case for all VA monitors are they all good  

unless you like movement and gray well to find  out I guess I've gotta go buy another monitor

now I also bought this LG 32 gk60 for a couple of  reasons first off I wanted to display that price  

wise landed between The Cooler Master and the  Samsung display that I tried a while ago also  

it is one of the few VA panels that I've seen  around at the moment that isn't curved that's  

that's quite rare for some reason so let's  plug in this LG V8 Monitor and see if it's  

any better now my first impression is actually  that I really like this screen size 32 inches  

awesome although this one's 1440p which you know  the pixel density is not great but at 4K this  

would be amazing anyway that's not really why  we're here so let's get into some of the games  

that we used earlier for motion rendering  tests oh another player that's very rare  

um anyway aside from that even even not in a  scene where the monitor is offended by Gray's  

ah the motion rendering is really bad on these  displays bye player and after that excitement I  

launched my spaceship and very quickly realized  that the smearing was definitely a problem on  

this monitor as well oh it's so bad and with  this shot that looks like it's from footage of  

a Bigfoot sighting there's the smearing clear  as day having said that the smearing on this LG  

VA isn't quite as bad as the smearing on that  Cooler Master VA but honestly it still looks  

pretty terrible so at the end of the day both IPS  and VA each have one main shortcoming IPS doesn't  

have particularly good contrast ratio whereas VA  has pretty terrible motion rendering one of those  

is a bit of a shame the other is a complete deal  breaker at least to me now I am quite sensitive to  

this kind of thing so maybe it's not going to be  as big a deal for you let me know in the comment  

section down below if you have a VA panel that  you use for gaming where you don't really mind  

about the smearing or haven't noticed all also I  have seen some Hardware unboxed reviews of some  

high-end new Samsung VA panels which apparently  mostly solve the problem however I haven't had  

any first-hand experience with either of those  monitors so I can't really comment on that which  

neatly brings me to the closing thoughts on this  video something may seem very promising on paper  

but it doesn't mean that it won't attack your  eyes with dessert Forks the moment you get it  

behind closed doors anyway until the next  video thank you for watching bye thank you