If people are considering purchasing an HDTV then they should really take the model's contrast ratio into consideration. The contrast ratio along with screen resolution, have a major effect on the overall picture. A high contrast ratio is desired since these models produce fantastic colors that most accurately reflect "real world" conditions.
The contrast ratio is defined as a unit of measure between the brightest color (white) and the darkest one (black). Today, every type of television available whether it be a traditional CRT television, plasma, LCD or LED, all produce different contrast levels.
Unlike most product tests, there is not a standard procedure for measuring the contrast ratio. Each manufacturer determines their own method to measure the ratio which makes it almost impossible to compare different models. However, ANSI (American National Standards Institute) has developed a test using a checkerboard panel to measure both the white and black simultaneously. The conditions of the room will play a role in the results of the ANSI test, but many companies now use this method to test the contrast ratio.
Another method used to measure contrast ratio in HDTV is called the "full on full off method" and it measures the ratio between a pure black and pure white screen. The test will usually produce a higher contrast ratio but it is not a good representation of realistic viewing conditions.
Most people do not associate producing a dark black with blinding color, but the two actually make a great combination. A person's HDTV picture is made up of hundreds of thousands of tiny pixels and the individual pixels are assembled to form an overall picture. Moreover, the sharpest images are able to precisely separate the black pixels from nearby lighter pixels. In fact, companies, especially plasma TV manufacturers, are constantly striving to refine their technology to combat this "light leakage".
Plasma TV's have generally offered the highest contrast ratios with certain companies advertising ratios as high as 1,000,000 to 1. LCD and now LED technology have since been able to equal these contrast ratios while providing even brighter colors.
One thing to remember regarding contrast ratio is that it does not play a role in how well motion is displayed. HDTV delivers an incredibly superb picture so it is important to select a television with a good contrast ratio. After all, one should not waste the features of an HDTV by using an old television with a poor contrast.
If a person loves the experience of HDTV and HD movies then a television with a high contrast ratio is the model to buy. No matter what type of television, whether it is plasma, LCD or LED, the screen resolution should always be taken into consideration. In the end, one should factor in all of their wants and needs before purchasing a television. - 30542
The contrast ratio is defined as a unit of measure between the brightest color (white) and the darkest one (black). Today, every type of television available whether it be a traditional CRT television, plasma, LCD or LED, all produce different contrast levels.
Unlike most product tests, there is not a standard procedure for measuring the contrast ratio. Each manufacturer determines their own method to measure the ratio which makes it almost impossible to compare different models. However, ANSI (American National Standards Institute) has developed a test using a checkerboard panel to measure both the white and black simultaneously. The conditions of the room will play a role in the results of the ANSI test, but many companies now use this method to test the contrast ratio.
Another method used to measure contrast ratio in HDTV is called the "full on full off method" and it measures the ratio between a pure black and pure white screen. The test will usually produce a higher contrast ratio but it is not a good representation of realistic viewing conditions.
Most people do not associate producing a dark black with blinding color, but the two actually make a great combination. A person's HDTV picture is made up of hundreds of thousands of tiny pixels and the individual pixels are assembled to form an overall picture. Moreover, the sharpest images are able to precisely separate the black pixels from nearby lighter pixels. In fact, companies, especially plasma TV manufacturers, are constantly striving to refine their technology to combat this "light leakage".
Plasma TV's have generally offered the highest contrast ratios with certain companies advertising ratios as high as 1,000,000 to 1. LCD and now LED technology have since been able to equal these contrast ratios while providing even brighter colors.
One thing to remember regarding contrast ratio is that it does not play a role in how well motion is displayed. HDTV delivers an incredibly superb picture so it is important to select a television with a good contrast ratio. After all, one should not waste the features of an HDTV by using an old television with a poor contrast.
If a person loves the experience of HDTV and HD movies then a television with a high contrast ratio is the model to buy. No matter what type of television, whether it is plasma, LCD or LED, the screen resolution should always be taken into consideration. In the end, one should factor in all of their wants and needs before purchasing a television. - 30542
About the Author:
Zeeman Haus enjoys writing articles online on a variety of subjects. You can check out his latest website on 7 Inch LCD TV which reviews and lists the best LCD TVs to help you pick the best one for your needs.
