Ah the consumer electronics industry, will they ever learn? Contrast ratio is a hot topic nowadays; everybody wants a TV with the highest ratio out there. Unfortunately not every manufacturer uses the same system to determine what that rating is. Just like the audio industry and wattage (1000 watt $200 home theater in a box anyone?) most of the manufacturers are trying there hardest to have the highest, even if the specification is misleading.
Contrast ratio basically is the difference between the whitest white that the TV can produce and the blackest black. The higher the number the better the TV can produce more vibrant colors and a more accurate picture. One big thing I have noticed with TVs with great contrast ratios is that the image has a more 3D look to it because the shadow detail was just so much better. The analogy I give is a TV with a lower contrast ratio looks like you’re looking at a picture and the ones with higher contrast ratio look like you are looking out a window.
Unfortunately not all contrast ratios are created equally. Different manufacturers use different methods to measure what the contrast ratio is of their sets. The best bet; take a look at the TV; see which one you like the best and don’t worry about the specifications. They don’t really mean enough in the final quality of the picture anyway. One thing you can do though is compare different sets contrast ratio by the same manufacturer to determine which one will be better. Any way you slice it, it doesn’t matter what the specifications say, it is what your eyes tell you. Don’ let anyone tell you any different.
Want more tech info on contrast ratio check this article out:
Contrast ratio basically is the difference between the whitest white that the TV can produce and the blackest black. The higher the number the better the TV can produce more vibrant colors and a more accurate picture. One big thing I have noticed with TVs with great contrast ratios is that the image has a more 3D look to it because the shadow detail was just so much better. The analogy I give is a TV with a lower contrast ratio looks like you’re looking at a picture and the ones with higher contrast ratio look like you are looking out a window.
Unfortunately not all contrast ratios are created equally. Different manufacturers use different methods to measure what the contrast ratio is of their sets. The best bet; take a look at the TV; see which one you like the best and don’t worry about the specifications. They don’t really mean enough in the final quality of the picture anyway. One thing you can do though is compare different sets contrast ratio by the same manufacturer to determine which one will be better. Any way you slice it, it doesn’t matter what the specifications say, it is what your eyes tell you. Don’ let anyone tell you any different.
Want more tech info on contrast ratio check this article out:
1,000,000,000 to 1 Contrast Ratio
Jim Carter's Technology Blog
Posted 3/7/2008
