Contrast Ratios Improving

Contrast ratios have long been a sticking point issue for people trying to manufacture, distribute and promote projectors. In fact, a poor contrast ratio, more than any other aspect of projectors, is probably the number one reason people do not or have not bought projectors in the past. People complain that projectors with low contrast ratios do not perform well when displaying really dark movies or TV shows with dark scenes. And in the past, for the most part, these complaints have been warranted. However, all that is changing now.

Contrast ratios, it seems these days, are finally catching up to the needs of the consumer. The technology has recently undergone some amazing transformations. Contrast ratios of the past have been teetering around unacceptable levels such as 250:1, but these days you are able to find projectors with stunningly clear ratios. For example, the recently released NEC HT1000 boasts a beautiful 3000:1 contrast ratio.

We have seen this particular projector display video images on a light greenish wall and the result is absolutely brilliant. We watched a pre-released copy of Cinderella Man; a movie that is set in the depression and that has a lot of dark scenes. Honestly, I couldn’t believe that I was watching a projector. The image was crisp, clean and extremely detailed, nothing was missing – it made watching the movie an absolute joy and I could almost smell the decomposing TVs in the back room fading out of existence.

In all seriousness though, projectors not only have much better contrast ratios these days, but they also are making these contrast ratios available to the public at affordable prices. For example, take the Infocus X1 projector, an insanely popular model released in 2002. The MSRP (retail price) of this unit is only $999, but the contrast ratio is 2000:1. Projectors that offer contrast ratios such as these for the prices that Infocus has managed to attain, are going to make buying a massive flat screen TV hard to justify. I can’t imagine buying a television that weighs two tons, for thousands of dollars more than a projector - a projector that possibly produces a better picture than any potential RPTV.

This is something to think about if you’re debating between a television and a projector. Until next time – take it easy and remember to buy your projector lamps at MyProjectorLamps.com!