How to buy an 8bit panel monitor?

AshX

Anyone test the 2013/2014 27” Apple Thunderbolt Display or know if it’s true 8-bit? I’m considering getting one to test but there’s a good likelihood it will be a $150 paperweight if it has FRC or if the transistors are fried and it exhibits transistor leakage (a good possibility).

macsforme

AshX I tried one a few months ago and it was uncomfortable. The flickering seemed more likely from the backlight than the pixels, but hard to say. I also heard there was a variety of panels used in these, so YMMV.

AshX

macsforme

This is my concern with a monitor that is over a decade old. I’m amazed by how scuffed and dinged up so many of them are - like what the hell are people doing with a 27” monitor?! There are a few sealed ones on eBay but the asking price is hilarious. My 2019 iMac had transistor leakage after 5 years of use so I can only imagine what 12+ years would do. Worth a shot if you can pick it up for $100 or less but clearly not worth the risk for much more.

JTL

AshX I’m amazed by how scuffed and dinged up so many of them are - like what the hell are people doing with a 27” monitor?!

Using them as a corkboard? 😆

K-Moss

AshX "My 2019 iMac had transistor leakage after 5 years of use so I can only imagine what 12+ years would do. Worth a shot if you can pick it up for $100 or less but clearly not worth the risk for much more."

Fascinating. Corroborates my belief it's better to buy lower end electronics and regularly upgrade them. The cost these days is so low.

AshX

K-Moss

It’s very common especially with modern LCDs (transistor leakage) given how cheap the components are. Power management is also in an interesting place where battery life is the focus, hence the reliance on PWM and dithering to extend it in many cases, along with other techniques.

I think finding a high quality monitor or laptop is the goal - it’s just that there aren’t many being made these days. I’d wager the early 2010s Thunderbolt Display probably has a better build quality than my 2019 iMac. I also basically had the iMac on 12+ hours a day with sleep disabled (screen saver instead) because it was a music production computer. That probably didn’t help in terms of extending the display’s lifespan. The new MacBook Airs have the worst build quality I’ve seen in an Apple computer in years.

K-Moss

Donux "This one has Dell Pro 27 Plus QHD Monitor - P2725D, 4 star TUV rating. Rarely in marketing websites companies mention actual star 1-5, but certification always includes these, it just manufacturer chooses if it is worthy to share. I would assume other flicker free TUV monitors simply have low star rating, so they avoid sharing it. I am wondering now, are there any products that are rated at five stars at all for TUV flicker free?"

Very interesting. Do you know what it is about the Dell you've mentioned that warrants the 4-star TUV rating when most others getting certification are scoring 1 or 2?

K-Moss

AshX IPS monitors that get good reviews and are sufficiently large go for $100 these days. Therefore, you can buy them easily, return them as necessary if you don't like them in the first 30 days, and since they're so cheap you can replace them whenever without feeling the expense. So you're probably right monitors used to be made better, but they're so cheap now that it is what it is. Buying 2 new $100 monitors every 2 years, if that is what takes to avoid transistor leakage, isn't such a bad deal. That's $100 + tax a year and you get 2 new monitors every 2 years in that scenario.

"I also basically had the iMac on 12+ hours a day."

Good old IPS.

Intet

I bought the BenQ PD3226G after some research and it seems good so far. I have used it for a week now.
It's a true 10-Bit 4K 144HZ IPS display for about ~1000 Euro.

This thread according to title is about 8-bit monitors, but it seems to have evolved into the go to list for save monitors in general, so maybe my experience helps someone who is looking for a more premium monitor.

I have set contrast all the way down, color mode to sRGB, Low blue Light to 2 and color temperature to 5000K, which makes it a little more comfortable. I use it at 120HZ.

simplex

Intet

Which GPU ? How long you use benq?

Aquila

Lenovo L27h-4a true 8 bit panel 100hz coming soon

Faham

Aquila I can confirm, true 8 bit, no dithering. But Lenovo is updated the model to Lenovo L27q-4A.

Aquila

I'm testing the AOC CQ32G4VE, a 32" VA 2k 180hz .

Yes, it dithers but strangely this panel is gentler on eyes.

This is the RECCOMENDED 32" Gaming by PCmonitors website.

I suppose there's something in new IPS, probably the blue is harsh for eyes.

Joise

Can someone please tell me if it is better to use a monitor for a TV instead of a regular TV? Of course I am trying to avoid flicker, dithering, etc.

My understanding is that FRC is only a consideration for monitors, not TVs, so is there some other consideration/factors with TVs to be aware of?

I notice that many monitors nowadays have reduced blue light, perhaps that is an advantage of using a monitor. Also maybe the refresh rate and pixel count would be better with monitors (?). Please help me know what to consider.

Thank you!

Aquila

I'm so happy with the Aoc VA.
Backlight is the key more than dithering.

Try it guys

Joise

Aquila Could you please explain “backlight is the key”? Do you mean avoiding backlight is the key or having backlight? Is there a certain type of backlight to look for or certain backlight features? I am new to this, thanks!

Aquila

Joise

Your experience — that VA monitors feel more tolerable and IPS panels (especially on iOS devices like iPhones or iPads) feel harsher — is very real and can be explained by differences in contrast, backlight behavior, and color tuning.

Let’s break it down clearly:

✅ Why VA Monitors Feel More Comfortable:

Much Higher Contrast

VA panels can achieve 3000:1 to 6000:1 contrast ratios.

This means darker darks and deeper blacks, which results in:

Less eye strain in dark environments

A more natural, less “glowing” look to the screen

Your eyes aren't forced to deal with a "washed out" black background that feels bright even when it should be dark.

Less Backlight Bleed and Glow

VA panels block the backlight better when displaying dark content.

IPS glow, common on iOS and IPS monitors, is a visible "haze" of light — especially noticeable in dark rooms.

This haze tricks your eyes into thinking the screen is brighter than it is, causing fatigue.

Softer Color Presentation

VA displays often come with warmer, less intense color profiles.

This makes them feel easier on the eyes, especially for long periods or reading.

❌ Why IPS (and iOS devices) Feel Harsher:

Lower Contrast Ratio

IPS screens usually top out at 1000:1 contrast.

Even blacks are slightly gray, meaning the screen never fully "rests" your eyes — it's always emitting light.

On iPhones/iPads, dark mode still emits more light than true black (unless it's an OLED screen).

More Light Leakage and Uniform Brightness

IPS screens let more light through even when showing dark images.

This leads to a constant backlight presence, making your eyes work harder to adapt.

Factory Brightness and Blue Tone

iOS devices and many IPS monitors come with:

Very high brightness

Cool (blue-tinted) color temperatures

Blue light causes more eye strain, disrupts sleep, and feels harsh in low-light conditions.

Unless you enable “Night Shift” or True Tone, it can feel intense.

IPS Glow

This is the biggest culprit in dark rooms — a milky or foggy glow that appears when viewing dark content, especially off-angle.

It’s subtle but persistent, and very fatiguing over time.

Summary Table

Feature VA Panel IPS Panel / iOS Display

Contrast High (3000:1–6000:1) Low (1000:1)
Black Depth Deep black Washed-out gray
Backlight Control Better (dimmer blacks) Worse (always lit)
Blue Light Often less (warmer tone) Often more (cooler tone)
Glow Minimal Noticeable IPS glow
Eye Comfort 👍 More tolerable 👎 Can be harsh

Tips for IPS/iOS Comfort:

Enable Night Shift or True Tone (on iPhone/iPad)

Lower brightness, especially in dark rooms

Use dark mode wherever possible

If on a desktop IPS monitor, enable Low Blue Light or Reading mode

Would you like help tuning an IPS display or finding a VA or OLED display that's easier on your eyes?

Joise

Aquila Thank you so much for your very helpful reply! This is all starting to make more sense.

macsforme

Aquila I don’t know how much of this was created by generative AI, but I believe being as specific and technical as possible is beneficial (e.g., “iOS and IPS monitors” does not make sense).

VA refers to the LCD panel characteristics and especially the subpixel orientation. I acknowledge that the LCD panel technology (TN, IPS, VA, etc.) does affect factors like viewing angle and the “haze” effect. However, other differences call for a technical explanation. Specifically, claiming that VA panels are associated with comfortable backlights, in my view calls for further explanation (since the LCD and backlight work in tandem, but are distinct components). I am not precluding the association, just calling for further explanation/discussion.

As far as contrast ratios, I would point out that some users (including myself) find lower ratios more comfortable than higher, which is inverse to what you stated. Specifically, on some newer MacBooks (with IPS panels), we found that pitch blacks adjacent to overbearing whites confuses the eye, creating a sensation of a flashlight shining in the eyes. Lower contrast ratios, such as on early 2010-era TN panels, I found to be calmer by far than those MacBooks. I know you were arguing against IPS specifically, so we don’t necessarily disagree, but I don’t know that we can extrapolate that high contrast ratios are universally better.

Aquila

macsforme For me is the opposite.
Low contrast ratio,, fonts are less sharper, and more strain.
Every user has a different experience.

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