What are TN and TFT panels? Monitor recommendations.

[reaktor5]

I've been looking for a new widescreen monitor and have noticed that there are a few different types of LCD panels. My question is what is the difference between TFT and TN panels? I've heard the TN panels are of lesser quality and don't look as good as far as image quality. I believe I read somewhere that you'd only see a slight difference when doing photo/movie editing (something I don't do). If someone could also recommend a decent 19-22 inch widescreen monitor for around $250, that would be helpful too.

I've been thinking about:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001274&Tpk=T190

[Mal]

TFTs aren't created equally. There are various manufacturers, with various factories, using various manufacturing techniques. The final products, ie the monitors, often contain displays sourced from a pool of suppliers to ensure costs and part-shortages are kept to a minimum. Even brands that manufacter their own displays may use different types of displays if they are assembled in different locations, like a monitor in Europe might contain a display from an Eastern European factory, whilst a US monitor with the same model number might contain a display from China.

Some background reading: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TFT_LCD

Samsung is pretty good for low cost displays although the Pebble one I have is too bright IMO... high-end Dells are usually very good, as are Apple but they are stupidly expensive. Not sure about others.