LG's new 5000:1 LCDs coming your way

LG is touting its fancy new Digital Fine Contrast tech today, which gives it a new "world's highest" contrast ratio, at 5000:1. And who are we go argue with numbers like those? LG is planning to implement the tech into all of its monitors, except for the M8W, L18, L196WS and Fantasy Series. Along with the existing displays getting the DFC boost, LG has two new displays sporting the tech: the 20-inch USB-based L206WU pictured -- which showed up in the States last month -- and the 22-inch L227WT. The latter display includes Wide Color Gamut tech for showing off 100 percent of the NTSC spectrum, and a 2ms response time. The L206WU will be out globally in October, while the L227WT will hit the scene in November. No word on prices.

[Harkonian @ Aug 30th 2007 12:51PM]

The contrast ratio game the market is focusing on these days is a complete scam. In real-world environments contrast ratios make little difference. For example, in a room that is illuminated by just one LUX--that's just a single candle--there would not be any difference between a 500:1 and a 5000 or even a 10,000:1 contrast ratio. Increase that to 30 LUX, which is still a very dim room, and contrast ratios above 50:1 are academic.

[granny down east @ Aug 30th 2007 1:45PM]

Thanks for the turorial. I am looking for an LCD TV and one must wonder if "more" is always better.

[Arthur @ Aug 30th 2007 5:06PM]

Thanks. Now I don't feel as stupid for picking up the last LG L246WP-BN that has 1000:1 contrast for $360 at my local Best Buy. I was actually contemplating returning it and waiting for these new models.

[CeeJay @ Aug 31st 2007 6:35PM]

Contrast ratios above 50:1 are academic ?
Please tell me you meant to write 500:1 , because 50:1 would be absurd.

Contrast ratios DO matter .. a higher contrast ration will make the image look clearer and sharper, that's how human vision works.

Contrast ratios of 5000:1 on a LCD screen however IS a scam , as it's not a real contrast ratio but rather a "dynamic" contrast ratio and while a dynamic contrast can help with some content, it's not the same thing and marketing it as such is deception.

[Harkonian @ Aug 31st 2007 7:28PM]

Nope. I meant 50:1. The maximum perceived contrast ratio in a room with 1 LUX is 500:1. With 30 LUX it drops to 50:1. Unless you have a completely dark room covered in non-reflective material, you'll never be able to perceive the indicated contrast ratio.

Also, keep in mind that nearly all manufacturers publish on/off contrast ratios and _not_ the contrast as measured by the ANSI standard. Aside from the negative effect ambient light has on contrast ratios, the on/off contrast ratio is already a misleading number. It is measured by displaying a full on (100% white) / full off (100% black) screen. While this can give some amazingly high numbers, people don't watch all-white or all-black screens. Comparing the brightest whites in one scene to the blackest blacks in another scene is not representative of any useful real-world scenario. Measuring the screens at 2 different times also allows further manipulation of the display between tests, such as switching to a different color wheel setting, changing the aperture of an iris, or taking the measurement at a more favorable location on the screen. So, in short, the whole thing is hype.

If you want to know the _real_ contrast performance numbers you need to get the ANSI standard contrast ratio--which of course no manufacturers will publish. This is determined by measuring the black and white levels at the same time on the same screen using a 16-square black and white checkerboard image. This is representative of the contrast ratio achievable at any one point in time and is what is really important to viewers. An ANSI contrast ratio of 250:1 is impressive and 600:1 is outstanding.

A good read on this subject: http://www.practical-home-theater-guide.com/contrast-ratio.html

[js @ Aug 30th 2007 1:19PM]

I wish companies discontinue to advertise dynamic contrast ratio.

[LEXX911 @ Aug 30th 2007 2:32PM]

I don't understand this 5000:1 contrast thing. I mean isn't 1000:1 good enough for a LCD monitor? How about giving us a response time just as good as a CRT? LCD isn't plasma or SED, LED or whatever so I don't really care for the 5000:1 contrast. I have 1000:1 and I have to turn the darn contrast/brightness down.