Contrast
Contrast is the difference the eye is built to notice: the distance between the brightest and the darkest thing a screen can show at the same moment. Every entry here is about the bottom of that range, because that is the end the room attacks first.
The only light in the room is the one being measured.
Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko / Pexels
Entries
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Contrast beats resolution
At normal seating distance most people cannot resolve the extra pixels, but everyone sees a black that is actually black. Dynamic range is the difference you notice; pixel count is the number on the box.
Pixel count against dynamic range.
Spend on black level and on controlling the light. -
Black level
What the panel does when it is asked to show nothing.
A deeper floor against peak output.
Spend on the floor before the ceiling. -
What a contrast figure means
Quoted ratios are measured under conditions that do not resemble a living room.
A lab figure against your room.
Spend on measuring your own room instead of reading the box. -
The room lifts the black
Any light in the room raises the floor and throws the ratio away.
A lit room against the bottom of the range.
Spend on blackout and dark surfaces.