Contrast ratio is a measurement of the difference between the darkest black and brightest white a TV screen can produce. It is denoted by a ratio, e.g. 3000:1. In this case the black level is 3000 times darker than the white. In theory if the ratio is a large number, the blacks will appear closer to black, rather than a very dark grey. The higher the TV contrast ratio the better it will be at showing distinct details in the darkest areas of the screen.
Manufacturers of Plasma and LCD TVs follow their own different methods to measure contrast ratio and therefore there may be a slight difference between the contrast ratios specified by different manufacturers. Some will quote Static contrast ratio, others Dynamic contrast ratio and some use both even. Static or ‘on screen’ contrast ratio measures the difference between the brightest and darkest images a TV can produce simultaneously. Dynamic contrast ratio, on the other hand, measures those same differences over time.
There is no industry standard for measuring either type of contrast ratios, so make sure you are comparing like for like when comparing contrast ratios between different manufacturers TVs. Contrast ratios can be useful when you are comparing TV’s from the same manufacturer but do not rely on them as the single most important factor.
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