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contrast ratio posts

Poll: Which HDTV feature are you least concerned about?

by Richard Lawler posted Aug 23rd 2009 at 12:00PM Featured Story


It's that time of year, from now 'til CES a constant stream of new displays will finally be launched, touting specs, features and bullet points. Of course, once it's time to buy a new one we'll all have our own list of priorities, but which one is the least likely to make you consider a certain model? Whether it's a Hz race that doesn't concern you plasma fans, a complete disregard for useless contrast ratio measurements, or if you've already decided widgets aren't for you, let us know.

Which HDTV feature is LEAST likely to influence your buying decision?

Don't let retailer's lights distract you from buying the right HDTV

by Richard Lawler posted Aug 10th 2009 at 5:01PM


In case you hadn't already learned your lesson and started checking behind the displays while HDTV shopping, the HD Guru points out another element of the in-store experience that throws off buyers (and likely contributes to the LCD vs. plasma choices we find so infuriating): lighting. In case you don't recall from your last trek to a big box superstore, the lighting is quite often stuck on blinding making it nearly impossible to discern any difference in picture quality between televisions, specifically in terms of contrast and black levels (the pictures above are of the same value priced display, at left, under normal home lighting, at right, how it looks under some store lighting setups.) Tested with an illuminance meter, all the stores (except Best Buy's Magnolia showrooms) averaged well above home ambient lighting levels, with Wal-Mart and Costco measuring the highest at 411.66 and 742.77 lux. Still, there's tips on how to get a good idea of a TV's black levels even under those circumstances, plus some choice words left over for the incredible (and useless) dynamic contrast ratio numbers every manufacturer trots out these days, so go ahead and get educated.

LG shows off G Platform plasmas with 30000:1 contrast ratio

by Darren Murph posted Oct 24th 2007 at 2:00PM


If a 20.8-inch QXGA LCD was just enough to get your HD juices a-flowin', LG's latest bunch should really get you wound up. On display at FPD International 2007 in Japan, these "G Platform" plasmas claim to trump any other PDPs in the contrast department, as every one of them features a 30,000:1 ratio. Additionally, the company noted that color reproduction has been improved by "optimizing the panels' color phosphors and utilizing dielectrics," and there's also the 100Hz refresh rate to eliminate blur / flicker. Reportedly, the displays will be available in Q4 of this year in 32-, 42-, 50- (HD) and 50- / 60-inch (Full HD) models, but your guess is as good as ours when it comes to pricing.

[Via FarEastGizmos]

Samsung's latest "Bordeaux" LCD HDTVs boast a 10000:1 contrast ratio

by Darren Murph posted Feb 6th 2007 at 1:13PM


Samsung's no stranger to pumping out displays with a very respectable 10,000:1 contrast ratio, and the firm is kicking out two more with its latest Bordeaux duo. While the company has already bumped the PVA LCD lineup to 32- and 40-inches before, now it's taking things a bit further by adding a 10,000:1 contrast ratio and a trio of HDMI ports, with one being of the front-accessible variety and the others flanking the rear. Additionally, the overall design scheme received a subtle, but much appreciated facelift, as the screens now offer up a shinier coat, rounder edges, and a pair of lovely demonstrators adorning each side. Unfortunately, the nitty gritty on this one is sparse, but as soon as Samsung divulges anything else substantial about these admittedly glitzy sets, we'll be on it.

JVC throws out the iris but still achieves 10,000:1 contrast ratio

by Matt Burns posted Sep 26th 2006 at 12:18PM

Most projectors claim to have a very high contrast ratio along the lines of 10,000:1 - 15,000:1 reach this number with an adjustable iris. The aperture changes size and allows for light to flood in and out, but JVC has taken the conventional design and kicked it to the curb. Their design doesn't utilize a dynamic iris but can still achieve the highly sought after contrast ratio of 10,000:1. We don't know how they did it and we really don't think they are going to tell us in detail as this is a feat of technology -- that's if it looks and works good. This model is currently just a prototype and there isn't any word of product just yet although we are sure if this system works like they say, we will see this guy sometime soon.

[via HDBlog]




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