What is Dynamic Contrast (And why is it "bad")?

[weiland555]

Could someone please explain what the "Dynamic Contrast" setting is on certain brands of TV's? Also, why do most folks argue against using it?

And finally, is "Dynamic Contrast" always engaged when Samsung TVs in particular are set in "Dynamic" picture mode?

[My_Two_Cents]

Read the following articles:

http://www.cnet.com/8301-17914_1-9985085-89.html

http://www.practical-home-theater-gu...ast-ratio.html

Dynamic CR is the difference between the brightest all-white signal being fed to your set versus no signal (blank screen). Kind of a worthless number, unless you plan on using your set to light a room or like looking at a blank screen.

ANSI CR is more representative of the set's capability to display both bright areas and dark areas on your set at the same time (which is exactly what happens when you watch content on your set). What good is high dynamic CR, when you can't display both bright and dark areas at the same time without the bright area washing-out the dark?

[weiland555]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

Read the following articles:

http://www.cnet.com/8301-17914_1-9985085-89.html

http://www.practical-home-theater-gu...ast-ratio.html

Dynamic CR is the difference between the brightest all-white signal being fed to your set versus no signal (blank screen). Kind of a worthless number, unless you plan on using your set to light a room or like looking at a blank screen.

ANSI CR is more representative of the set's capability to display both bright areas and dark areas on your set at the same time (which is exactly what happens when you watch content on your set). What good is high dynamic CR, when you can't display both bright and dark areas at the same time without the bright area washing-out the dark?

Thanks for the reply, but I think we might be talking about two different things. I'm familiar with the dynamic contrast ratio measurement; what I'm asking about is the "dynamic contrast" picture settings that's available on most LCD TV's. What does it do, and why is it frowned upon?

[weiland555]

Originally Posted by weiland555

Thanks for the reply, but I think we might be talking about two different things. I'm familiar with the dynamic contrast ratio measurement; what I'm asking about is the "dynamic contrast" picture settings that's available on most LCD TV's. What does it do, and why is it frowned upon?

Whoops, never mind. I see what some stuff about my question. Thanks again for the reply.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by weiland555

Thanks for the reply, but I think we might be talking about two different things. I'm familiar with the dynamic contrast ratio measurement; what I'm asking about is the "dynamic contrast" picture settings that's available on most LCD TV's. What does it do, and why is it frowned upon?

Okay, you mean the factory presets like Dynamic, Vivid, etc.? They're considered "bad" because they give you a completely unnatural picture. Essentially, everything is cranked-up to near-max levels (color, contrast, sharpness) in order to give you a bright enough picture to overcome retail store lighting. When you adjust these settings using standardized colors/test patterns, you'll see just how 'off-spec' they really are.

[Spanbauer]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

Okay, you mean the factory presets like Dynamic, Vivid, etc.? They're considered "bad" because they give you a completely unnatural picture. Essentially, everything is cranked-up to near-max levels (color, contrast, sharpness) in order to give you a bright enough picture to overcome retail store lighting. When you adjust these settings using standardized colors/test patterns, you'll see just how 'off-spec' they really are.

To add to that, in addition to being "wrong", the dynamic or "vivid" modes also generally crush shadow detail and blow out bright areas, meaning you're seeing less detail in the brightest and darkest parts of the picture. These modes should never ever be used unless one's home is lit like a stadium.