Is Contrast Ratio THE spec that makes the biggest difference?
 

I read on CNET that, for the best overall? picture, contrast ratio is more
important than pure resolution. Is it? If I were to compare the quality of
picture from spec sheets among various sets and manufacturers (LCD set size
from 20" - 37" max), is that the figure I want to concentrate on, or are
there others? (720p will be fine for my needs, per what I've read.) I see
specs for multiple color filters, for different types of tuners, but don't
understand their value. When purchasing a set I am looking for best value,
not wanting to spend another $500 just to eke out a little more in quality.

Thanks for any insights.

Is Contrast Ratio THE spec that makes the biggest difference?
 

Howard Lester wrote:
I read on CNET that, for the best overall? picture, contrast ratio is more
important than pure resolution. Is it? If I were to compare the quality of
picture from spec sheets among various sets and manufacturers (LCD set size
from 20" - 37" max), is that the figure I want to concentrate on, or are
there others? (720p will be fine for my needs, per what I've read.) I see
specs for multiple color filters, for different types of tuners, but don't
understand their value. When purchasing a set I am looking for best value,
not wanting to spend another $500 just to eke out a little more in quality.

Thanks for any insights.

Studio monitors manage with 50:1 contrast ratios. 10000:1 with 9950 too
bright to use just doesn't matter. Linear contrast ratio is what matters.

Matthew


--
I'm a consultant. If you want an opinion I'll sell you one.
Which one do you want?

Is Contrast Ratio THE spec that makes the biggest difference?
 

"Matthew L. Martin" wrote

Studio monitors manage with 50:1 contrast ratios. 10000:1 with 9950 too
bright to use just doesn't matter. Linear contrast ratio is what matters.

Thanks, Matthew. Now, what does that mean? ;-) Translation: what am I to
look for?

Is Contrast Ratio THE spec that makes the biggest difference?
 

On Jul 1, 5:23 pm, "Howard Lester" wrote:
I read on CNET that, for the best overall? picture, contrast ratio is more
important than pure resolution. Is it? If I were to compare the quality of
picture from spec sheets among various sets and manufacturers (LCD set size
from 20" - 37" max), is that the figure I want to concentrate on, or are
there others? (720p will be fine for my needs, per what I've read.) I see
specs for multiple color filters, for different types of tuners, but don't
understand their value. When purchasing a set I am looking for best value,
not wanting to spend another $500 just to eke out a little more in quality.

Thanks for any insights.

As I did - favorable reviews at the time on a Syntax unit, or $500
less than a Sony or Sharp. Problem is it broke, got replaced by a
newer model with newer HD tuner the first lacked. But, wow, I'm
impressed (so long as the replacement holds up :; ). Stick to 32 min.
and preferably a 37" -- looks to be the sweet spot, bang for buck
(between 32/37).

Back to Sony/Sharp. Reviews indicated this unit favorable in
comparison for picture quality. My experience (w/out ever having seen
a highend Sony/Sharp) is categorically -- no way I'd care to go back
to the 25" Sanyo CRT I had before this Olevia Syntax. Night-and-day,
eye-opening amazing.

It's merciless with artifacts. Darkness, how blacks scale into greys
are an important aspect of contrast. Mine has two factory settings -
to showcase the set's abilities in a store display environment, and
user controls. Brightness and contrast appear closely allied, most
relevant among settings. I haven't individual R/B/G color controls,
just overall tint. I've played with a couple set-up software
adjustment tools, and find the set needs little apart from its factory
setup.

Resolution is source based - the immediate perception, how detailed
and good the impression. Everything is coming from SVGA to the LCD/
HDTV from a lowend Pentium Duron / ATI 9800 agp-slotted setup. Six HD
channels, 3 ea., from two local universities - (can't stand
commercials/programmes on a dozen or so other HD stations available).
HD tuner resolutions vary from full-screen HDTV format to various
lower aspect ratios and ATI chipset modes available to stretch some
accordingly. Broadcasting never looked this good. Doubt I'll be
looking at a computer slotted tuner, in other words, anytime soon.
I've also several layers of filters, aside from passive chip-based
within the LCD unit set (another ATI chipset), as well as a layering
of rudimentary software filters as software movie-player features --
sharpness, smothness, quality, etc. Resolutions can be circumvented
on-the-fly through software players in accounting picture ratios.

I'm leery of adjusting for brilliant contrasts either through the LCD
setup or software. I may have conceivably over-adjusted my first set
by turning up the LCD backlight. Rather than take chances, I set
brightness as low possible with a grayscale (gama) software setup
procedure, and then take up contrast as the higher of the two for
added layer above -- adding vibrancy and comfort to the picture
without needlessly aggravating an initial gray scale setting.
QuickGamma is the freeware/pubdomain I used to adjust for that initial
level of contrast/brightness. (Playing through a set top will be
different. Just a few general ideas.)

Monitor Calibration 1.0
QuickGamma

Is Contrast Ratio THE spec that makes the biggest difference?
 

Howard Lester wrote:
"Matthew L. Martin" wrote

Studio monitors manage with 50:1 contrast ratios. 10000:1 with 9950 too
bright to use just doesn't matter. Linear contrast ratio is what matters.

Thanks, Matthew. Now, what does that mean? ;-) Translation: what am I to
look for?

You are looking for a specification that has been *******ized to the
point that it now meaningless. Contrast Ratio. If all manufacturers used
a standard test that included something other than off and full on, then
it might mean something.

Matthew

--
I'm a consultant. If you want an opinion I'll sell you one.
Which one do you want?

Is Contrast Ratio THE spec that makes the biggest difference?
 

Howard Lester wrote:
I read on CNET that, for the best overall? picture, contrast ratio is more
important than pure resolution. Is it? If I were to compare the quality of
picture from spec sheets among various sets and manufacturers (LCD set size
from 20" - 37" max), is that the figure I want to concentrate on, or are
there others? (720p will be fine for my needs, per what I've read.) I see
specs for multiple color filters, for different types of tuners, but don't
understand their value. When purchasing a set I am looking for best value,
not wanting to spend another $500 just to eke out a little more in quality.

Thanks for any insights.


720P is the best resolution available. In order of importance color
saturation is first, color fidelity is second, contrast ratio is third
and resolution is forth.

Love to take bets on what resolution someone is looking at if I can play
with the first three and they are setting at least 10 feet from the screen.

Once your eyes can't discern individual pixels its all about color and
contrast. And who wants to sit so close to the screen that they can see
pixels?

Bob Miller

Is Contrast Ratio THE spec that makes the biggest difference?
 

720P is the best resolution available. In order of importance color
saturation is first, color fidelity is second, contrast ratio is third
and resolution is forth.

Love to take bets on what resolution someone is looking at if I can play
with the first three and they are setting at least 10 feet from the screen.

Once your eyes can't discern individual pixels its all about color and
contrast. And who wants to sit so close to the screen that they can see
pixels?


I agree, along that similar line of thinking. I have been in Sears
where all the models are lined up side by side and the remotes are all
tethered to each model. 32" LCD models -Sony ($1200) Samsung ($1000)
Panasonic ($1100) LG ($1000) in the middle is the VIZIO 32" ($599)

I was messing around one day, and with minor tweaks, brightness,
contrast, color, or just one of these adjustment, I could easily make
any model look better than any other. Or I could make all of them
look identical. At that point every one walking by, or stopping to
look, noticed. At least twice I heard comments like, "Heck, they all
look the same, OR I'm not paying for a name, I'm paying for the
picture quality and there ain't no difference.

Now of course, inputs, and other model features, plus do not get too
close, but the real "EYE CANDY" is really what it is all about and
with easy proper adjustments do not over pay---- shop and look around.
YB

Is Contrast Ratio THE spec that makes the biggest difference?
 

In article . net Bob Miller writes:

720P is the best resolution available. In order of importance color
saturation is first, color fidelity is second, contrast ratio is third
and resolution is forth.

Actually from the variations in color fidelity and saturation of color
film over the years, it is fairly clear that color fidelity and saturation
are of little importance.

For example, the viewer doesn't know that the blue dress a woman is wearing
is actually a sort of violet color. They just think it is blue.

Get skin tones (and other well recognized colors) right, and you can
pretty much do anything with the rest.

Much the same is true of saturation -- a wide variety of values are considered
acceptable.

Alan

Is Contrast Ratio THE spec that makes the biggest difference?
 

On Jul 2, 11:27 am, Bob Miller wrote:

720P is the best resolution available. In order of importance color
saturation is first, color fidelity is second, contrast ratio is third
and resolution is forth.

Love to take bets on what resolution someone is looking at if I can play
with the first three and they are setting at least 10 feet from the screen.

Once your eyes can't discern individual pixels its all about color and
contrast. And who wants to sit so close to the screen that they can see
pixels?

Right. Monitor Calibration 1.0 has the three individual colors (red/
blue/green), each color having the same routine. There are three or
six boxes, each a box within a box. Calibration goals appears to be
able to adjust individual colors to blend discrepancies from the
inside box to the outer, surrounding box. Rough estimation, as my set
lacks color controls in order to follow the routine. I've an
adjustment for color saturation, more or less total color. The other
adjustment is color tint, adjusted above if not below zero, which
respectively adds red while not possibly more blue/green. I don't
like the setup, it's not ideal, were not factory calibrated settings
acceptable. I'd hope it never comes to using video card software as a
recourse - my tuner would have one set of default colors and the
computer would be booting from PowerStrip into another. Not good, but
can't everything for a $600 set.

Contrast/brightness settings - I'm leery of causing physical damage to
the set due to possibly overdriving the backlight and associated
circuitry, and premature wear on the 50K liftetime hours backlite
tubes are often quoted. Distantly from a safer than sorry approach,
when my first set died. I'd cursorily set that up, fresh out of the
box, as bright as possible, and would run it for hours on end, at
least 6 hours a sitting. (Computer programs for studying and
practicing music scales, oh well). Same thing now, except for
contrast, which is set to show where the brightest whites and darkest
grays first occur - no more no less. :;

Is Contrast Ratio THE spec that makes the biggest difference?
 

Bob Miller wrote:
Howard Lester wrote:
I read on CNET that, for the best overall? picture, contrast ratio is
more important than pure resolution. Is it? If I were to compare the
quality of picture from spec sheets among various sets and
manufacturers (LCD set size from 20" - 37" max), is that the figure I
want to concentrate on, or are there others? (720p will be fine for my
needs, per what I've read.) I see specs for multiple color filters,
for different types of tuners, but don't understand their value. When
purchasing a set I am looking for best value, not wanting to spend
another $500 just to eke out a little more in quality.

Thanks for any insights.

720P is the best resolution available. In order of importance color
saturation is first, color fidelity is second, contrast ratio is third
and resolution is forth.


Please to be remembering that bob believes that 480p is all the
resolution DTV ever needed.

Matthew

--
I'm a consultant. If you want an opinion I'll sell you one.
Which one do you want?

Is Contrast Ratio THE spec that makes the biggest difference?
 

Thanks, all, for your insights... right or wrong. ;-)

Seriously, thank you.