contrast ratio question

[combustion]

does it mean that much? I see ranges from 700-1 to 3000-1..... does it really make that big a difference?

 

[Scyles]

Anything over 1000:1 almost always means dynamic contrast, which is arguably not very important.

As you probably know, LCD's don't do dark colors very well. Older LCD's, like the Dell 2001FP had a 400:1 contrast ratio. Shades of black and other dark colors looked very grey. Dark scenes just looked very poor. The 2007FP increased contrast ratio to 800:1, and the difference is absolutely massive. As long as you've got a 2007FP in a well-lit room, and you've got the brightness turned up, you could be fooled into thinking that you're seeing true black.

So yes, contrast ratio is extremely important, but there are other factors. Dynamic contrast, as mentioned earlier, is basically false advertising. You will never get 2000:1 unless you are displaying a solid black screen. The monitor tries to decrease the backlight according to what is on-screen. If you've got a dark scene but there is a guy with a flashlight, well, dynamic contrast won't do anything at all.

Then there are Samsung's S-PVA monitors which have a darker spot in the middle due to a viewing angle flaw. They say their monitors are 1000:1, but its really just the black spot in the middle that is 1000:1 while the rest of the monitor is more like 700:1.

In conclusion, you'll definitely want a monitor that has over 700:1 contrast ratio, which nearly all modern models have, but you'll want to pay more attention to the type of panel you are buying. The 1000:1 Dell 3007-HC is an S-IPS panel, for example. It delivers excellent contrast because S-IPS panels do not have contrast shifting problems because of their superb viewing angles. Dynamic contrast is something I'd rather have than not have, but I would never let it be a determining factor when purchasing an LCD.

 

[combustion]

thanks for the info, very clear and concise... I was wondering why some lcd's claim 3000-1 and others say 800-1, yet both are the exact same price.

 

[behr]

thanks, too. so contrast should be more than 700:1.

how about brightness? what's a good range, more than 300 cd/m2 ? Is there a significant difference from 300 to 400 to 500?

 

[Scyles]

I, personally, find that setting a monitor with 300 cd/m2 to maximum brightness is too much for my eyes. I get significant eye fatigue at this brightness level very quickly. The only time I can imagine people wanting more brightness is if they have the monitor in a living room with floor-to-ceiling windows that allow heavy sunlight to enter the room.

 

[Dunan]

monitor makers think that selling you a monitor with eye searing brightness is a selling point. its only to make the blacks appear darker unfortunately like the OP said. 300-500 cd/m2 brightness is a pretty big difference.
honestly, on the lcd i own (when i actually use it) i have the brighness turned all the way down with the contrast all the way up.

that (to me) gives the closest representation of a CRT

 

[j0j081]

yeah most of the new lcds I've played with have been way way too bright on the default settings. for browsing the web I leave my 206bw on the text setting which is 6 brightness lol.