What is Dynamic contrast ratio?

hostage46

My head is spinning from looking at the numbers. Getting ready to pull the trigger on a lower end 45" ish Costco LCD.

Can anyone explain the difference between Contrast Ratio and Dynamic contrast ratio?

What are numbers I should be looking for ?

Dan in Dallas...

PFC5

There is no uniform standard for measuring contrast ratio. This needs to be said before anything else. Generally you can only compare the CR rating with other models by the same brand and usually for the same model year also. None of them are accurate regardless of what they state but because there is no set statndard they can get away with however they measure it.

So mfg list only dynamic CR, some only CR and some state both. Some rate there CR so high it is absolutely ridiculous. For example Samsung has some models rated at 25,000:1 for an LCD display which would be impossible unless it uses LED for the back lighting (2-4 times the cost for this backlighting currently). Almost all models use florescent back lighting which will have some bleeding through of the light on totally black parts of the screen.

Most plasmas have much better black levels but also can develop burn-in, which LCDs do not.

Having said that, Contrast Ratio is a measurement of this difference between the blackest black and the whitest white that the display can display. Dynamic CR is when the back lighting is adjusted dynamically for darker scenes to give you better black levels. A processor inside the display tries to adjust the levels depending on the scene currently on the display.

If done properly it CAN help to give the appearance of higher contrast ratios, but done poorly, it can crush black (blacken shadows so you cannot see what is in the shadows good).

Hope this helps!

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hostage46

OK, that helps ... sort of.

So is there a benchmark number to look for? Maybe a minimum? Or should I just go to Costco and stand before the alter of the flat panel TV and just pick what looks best?

edders

The best thing is to ignore the advertising specs (hype) and compare the sets you are considering side by side. For an LCD the thing to look for is how dark the blacks are in the picture that is where they have problems. You might want to play with the picture adjustments (brightness, contrast, peak picture, any proprietary controls for picture enhancement) to see which set you can get a better picture out of...it is really that simple!!!

Ed

espradley

Here are some helpfull tips.

I have always been told to ignore Dynamic Contrast Ratio. It basically allows you too see better pictures when you are dealing with a dark image. Of course this matters, but, for the typical use you want to look at the static contrast ratio, as this is what you will see the most.

You most def need to have atleast 1000 static ratio. 800 is acceptable, but not recommened. Also, the contrast ratio, like the prior user said, depends on the testing. Your best bet is to read customer reviews for each indivual monitor.

Scottnot

Of course, for a bit more information, you could read the sticky at the top of this forum section:
Why You Should Ignore Contrast Ratio Specs:

srotu

I looked at the specs for all of Sony's 40' high def LCD tv's. They offer quite a few models with different dynamic contrast ratios. What does a LCD tv manufacturer actually do to increase the ratio?

dsskid

Lie

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Professional reviews of displays are an excellent tool, but the final decision should come from using your own eyes.




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Scottnot

How true!!!

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