The purchase of an HDTV is a significant one and should not be taken lightly. When evaluating the overall picture of an HDTV, the contrast ratio, along with screen resolution, should both be taken into consideration. However, if a person is looking for one that offers the brightest colors and darkest blacks, then the contrast ratio should be the number one priority.

Contrast ratio can be defined as a unit of measurement of the ratio between the brightest (white) and darkest color (black) that the specific television can produce. Traditional CRT televisions, plasma, LCD and LED all produce different levels of the darkest blacks and brightest whites.

Unlike most tests, there is not a standard method for measuring the contrast ratio because each manufacturer has their own way of calculating it. As such, it can be difficult for consumers to compare different models with one another. On the other hand, ANSI (American National Standards Institute) developed a standard test using a checkerboard panel to measure both the white and black simultaneously, but the conditions of the room will play a role in the outcome.

Another test used in measuring contrast ratio in HDTV is called the “full on full off method” which measures the ratio between a pure black and pure white screen. Furthermore, the test will produce a higher contrast ratio but is not a good representation of realistic 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”.

When comparing the different types of televisions, plasma TV’s generally offer the highest contrast ratios among their competitors. In fact, certain companies’ advertising ratios are as high as 1,000,000 to 1. Today LCD and LED models have since been able to close the gap between their contrast ratios and plasma contrast ratios.

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 one loves the experience of HDTV and HD movie, then a television with a high contrast ratio is the ideal choice. Whether a person is in the market for a plasma, LCD or LED television, the screen resolution as well as the contrast ratio should all be taken into consideration. Lastly, it is important to take the cost of a television into account before making one’s final selection.

Tags: HD TV

Popularity: 6% [?]

Share This