When shopping for a new TV, projector, camera, or other type of display, you should pay attention to the contrast ratio. But what does this measurement mean, and how do you know if your display has good contrast?
What is contrast ratio?
This article will give you insight into contrast ratios and how they affect your viewing experience on different devices.
Contrast ratio is the measurement of the difference between the maximum and minimum brightness of a display; in other words, it is the ratio of the brightest white to the darkest black. For example, a contrast ratio of 1,000:1 means that the brightest white image is 1,000 times brighter than the darkest black.
In general, a higher contrast ratio is better, as a display with a 100,000:1 ratio can produce darker blacks and more saturated colors than a display rated at 1,000:1, creating a more natural-looking image. That said, a higher number is not always better, as you'll need to take external lighting conditions and the type of display into account.
