What Is Dynamic Contrast Ratio?

Dynamic Contrast Ratio or DCR is rating that is used for measuring image quality of TV pictures. The static or standard contrast ratio TV tells you about the luminance of brightest possible white colours on screen as compared to darkness and deepness of the black shades. Compared to this, the contrast ratio tells you about range of light and dark colours which help the buyers compared the picture quality between the different units.

The newer TVs often have another kind of contrast rating called Dynamic Contrast Ratio. It measures maximum possible colour between the black and white shades. The TV needs to have special features inside for adjusting the display brightness for maximizing picture quality. If the viewers, for instance, are watching any movie having lots of dark and shadows, then processor inside the unit will increase display brightness for improving contrast. The TVs having this feature will give better contrast ratio as compared to the standard TVs.

Both static and dynamic contrast ratio are expressed in numbers like 1000:1 or 5000:1. Picture quality is better when difference between the numbers is bigger. LED or Light Emitting Diodes in TVs provide best DCR as these LEDs can attain high brightness levels. Lot of LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and Plasma TVs also give options of dynamic contrast but this feature isn’t available in all the models.

Customers often check the manufacturer listings for comparing the DCR between the different models. Due to difference in contrast measurement, it can be quite confusing in comparing the DCR of different brands by just the numbers. Even models of same brands measure the DCR in different ways. Some TV makers test the DCR in laboratories and others test in typical living room environments. The contrast ratios are always higher in controlled environments as compared to uncontrolled ones. Due to this, buyers are often confused in comparing DCRs of different TVs.

TVs having DCRs will give better TV viewing experience. The viewers will see fewer shadows with better colour contrast. Adjusting the brightness levels will further improve the picture quality. Some viewers might not like DCR because they believe it darkens or brightness the picture excessively. However, for people who are buying new TVs, it is recommended that they visit the stores and check out the picture quality personally instead of relying on the numbers and rating given by manufacturers.