Contrast Ratio?

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I know that a higher contrast ratio is better however how much difference is their between a 500:1 a 700:1 or 1600:1?, as I'm interested in getting a tft soonish.

Thanks
 
I've heard people say there's not a lot of difference and that you shouldn't judge a monitor by the contrast resolution, it does make sense to do so though!
 
I wouldn't just judge the monitor by contrast (apple monitors are only 500:1 :eek: ), I just want to know what kind of difference their is between difference contrast ratios
 
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Contrast ratio is calculated by measuring the brightness of pure white and pure black (on the same settings), and dividing the white brightness by the black brightness. So you could have a white brightness of 250 cd/m2 (candels per metre squared), which is fairly typical, and a black brightness of 0.50 cd/m2, divide 250 by 0.50 and you get 500 so the contrast ratio is 500:1.

A small change in the darkness of the black colour a monitor can produce makes a big difference to the contrast ratio. If in my example above the black brightness was 0.25 cd/m2, that would give you a contrast ratio of 1000:1.

So in reality what contrast ratio tells you mostly is how deep a black colour a monitor will produce. If you like gaming with the lights off at night, then go for a screen with a high contrast ratio. If you don't then it's not so important.
 
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