by B. Ender

Created on: June 28, 2010

                Contrast ratio is a ratio that that states the difference between the brightest white a TV can display to its darkest black. The ratio is usually written as 1,000:1 or 10,000:1 for example. A high contrast ratio is better than a lower one, because a high contrast ratio means that there is a good range of brightness from black to white that allows images to look more accurate, specifically in dark scenes with a few areas of brighter light. However, measurement values for contrast ratio vary depending on the television manufacturer, as a standard measurement method has yet to be seen.

                The lack of an official standard is what affects the usefulness of relying on contrast ratio numbers the most: with differing ways to measure contrast ratio, the consumer cannot be entirely confident that the real contrast ratio of a television is better than another. For example, some TV manufacturers compare the brightest value their television can produce to the brightness level of the television when the backlight is off or emitting at a lower light level. This increases the value of their contrast ratio, but it is unrealistic because in normal use a television will be unable to produce the brighter colors when the backlight is reduced.  This method is called dynamic contrast ratio, and is used very commonly in the marketing of televisions.

                Another thing to know is that contrast ratios are measured in an ideal viewing environment, where there is no light in the room other than from the TV itself. In real viewing areas light from the environment will reflect off the television, naturally lowering the contrast by causing the television to show brighter light. Therefore discerning the difference between televisions with very high contrast ratios is hard in realistic viewing situations, as natural light will impair their performance.

                With the lack of a uniform measuring standard for contrast ratios, it is unfortunately better to ignore the numbers and try to figure out what looks better in the store. No doubt the store isn’t the best way to figure out for yourself what will look better in your home, but relying on marketing jargon and numbers alone will most likely mislead you even more. Until a well-accepted measurement standard is released, contrast ratio will be nothing more than a number marketing departments try to inflate to impress consumers.  

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