This post explores 5 reasons why great contrast ratios matter in LED retail displays, but first, let’s look at an overview of contrast ratios, how they work, and how they impact image quality.
If you’d like to jump ahead and explore the reasons, see 5 Reasons Why Great Contrast Ratios Matter for LED Retail Displays here.
About LED Retail Displays and Contrast Ratios
LED retail displays are made of many small LED modules that fit into special frames. Some large, high-definition displays can have thousands of these modules operating together to produce high-quality visuals. A key factor in their performance is contrast ratio, which affects how well the screen shows differences between light and dark colors.
LED retail displays with high contrast ratios are necessary for effective advertising and information display. Contrast ratios heavily impact perceived luminosity, color depth, and overall picture fidelity.
In retail settings, a good contrast ratio is essential. It helps advertisements, promotions, and product images stand out, making them easier for customers to see. Displays with poor contrast can look faded and hard to read, reducing their effectiveness.
While some customers may not fully be aware of their importance, contrast ratios play a vital role in the quality of displays.
Image on left has lower contrast; image on right has higher.
How Contrast Ratios Work
Contrast ratios measure how much difference there is between the brightest whites and darkest blacks a display can show.
Here’s more about how contrast ratios work:
• The contrast ratio is calculated by dividing the brightness of the whitest white by the brightness of the blackest black. So, if the brightest white is 500 units and the darkest black is 1 unit, the contrast ratio would be 500:1.
• Higher ratios mean there is a bigger difference between light and dark, generally resulting in better image quality.
• Factors like ambient light, viewing angle, and display design (like special coatings or louvers) all affect how well the contrast shows up in real-world conditions.
• Display manufacturers measure how light bounces off a screen’s surface using a method called SCI or Specular Component Included. This method measures mirror-like reflections (think of what you see on a car’s hood) and scattered reflections (think of what you see on a matte phone screen). This way of measuring gives a true picture of an object’s color. It’s really helpful for creating displays that show products as they would look in real life.
• Due to varying testing environments and measurement techniques and the ability of manufacturers to manipulate test conditions (for example, light source intensity and angle), published contrast ratio specifications aren’t always reliable indicators of real-world performance. Live testing in your actual retail environment is often the only way to truly evaluate how an LED display will look and perform.
Static Contrast Ratio
Static contrast ratio indicates how well a screen can display bright and dark areas in the same image at the same time. In other words, imagine looking at a photo that has both bright sunlit areas and deep shadows; the static contrast ratio measures how well your screen displays these extremes simultaneously.
The measurement process for static contrast requires a checkerboard pattern of black and white squares, which are used to calculate the ratio between average luminance values.
Static contrast provides a realistic indication of a display’s actual performance in everyday use, although it may not be fully accurate. Real-world viewing conditions and ambient light can affect the perceived contrast.
Dynamic Contrast Ratio
A dynamic contrast ratio shows how well a screen can change its brightness to make dark images appear very dark and bright images appear very bright. It does this by changing the screen’s backlight or how it processes images based on what’s being shown.
Moreover, dynamic contrast ratio indicates how the screen handles multiple different images over time, not just one picture. It indicates the screen’s ability to adjust between extremes as images change.
Here’s a simple way to think about it: Imagine you’re watching an advertisement with a black car. The ad starts at night, so the car must be visible in the darkness. To effectively pull this off, the LED screen must dynamically adjust its overall brightness across different parts of the screen.
Then, the advertisement switches to a bright scene in which the same car races down a brightly lit road. To make this work, the LED display must adjust the contrast so that the car isn’t lost in a bright wash.
Ambient Contrast Ratio
Ambient contrast ratio measures how well a screen looks in everyday settings based on ambient light. In other words, it helps a buyer understand how well a display will perform once it’s in their store.
For example, an LED retail display might look great indoors, but if you tried to use it outside, it could be hard to see due to a greater level of ambient light. Naturally, a store owner isn’t likely to use an indoor display outdoors, but the point stands. The ambient contrast ratio indicates real-world capabilities.
Ambient light levels are measured in lux, so an indoor retail space might have around 800 lux, while direct sunlight can reach up to 100,000 lux.
LED displays handle ambient light differently based on their brightness levels. High-end outdoor LED retail displays, for instance, can achieve up to 10,000+ nits, making them visible in sunlight, as long as they have proper design features, such as anti-glare coatings.
Indoor retail displays typically range from 2,000 to 2,500 nits, which is suitable for most store environments.
How Contrast Ratios Impact Image Quality
A higher contrast ratio means an LED display will look better. Black colors will look black instead of gray, other colors will appear more vivid, and every detail will stand out more clearly.
Think of it like looking at a high-quality photograph versus a washed-out copy. With better contrast, you can see everything from the darkest shadows to the brightest highlights, making the entire image look more lifelike and engaging.
That said, the image quality of an LED display also depends on various design features, such as louvers, textured surfaces, and anti-glare coatings. The best LED displays have a low SCI measurement, meaning they minimize unwanted reflections and glare that could wash out your content.
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5 Reasons Great Contrast Ratios Matter in LED Retail Displays
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s look at 5 specific reasons why great contrast ratios matter for LED retail displays.
1. You Get A Competitive Edge
In today’s retail environment, basic LED displays might seem adequate, but premium displays with superior contrast ratios deliver a truly professional edge.
When you invest in quality, your content appears sharper, colors look richer, and visual elements command more attention. This isn’t just about having a bright screen – it’s about offering an interesting visual experience that elevates your brand above competitors who settle for standard displays.
Premium LED displays with excellent contrast ratios help drive customer engagement and, ultimately, sales.
2. You Get Improved Readability
Ultimately, customers pay attention to LED retail displays to get information, be it product details, pricing updates, or promotional offers. A high contrast ratio makes it easier for them to quickly read and understand the content.
High contrast makes text and graphics more legible, even from a distance or in challenging lighting conditions.
3. You Can Represent Your Products More Accurately
High contrast ratios in LED retail displays help your customers see your items as they truly are, whether it’s the rich texture of a leather handbag or the appetizing colors of fresh produce.
For businesses where looks matter, this can make a real difference in how customers perceive and choose products.
High contrast ratios:
- Showcase products more accurately and effectively.
- Highlight subtle colors and textures that might be lost on lower-quality displays.
- Reduce the gap between online and in-store product appearances.
- Enhance customer confidence in making purchase decisions.
4. You Get Multi-Zone Performance
When your retail space has different lighting zones (entrance, window displays, interior sections), high contrast coupled with automatic brightness adjustment offers consistent visual quality regardless of where you place your displays.
This means:
- Your entrance displays can grab attention even in bright daylight.
- Window displays remain vivid as lighting changes from day to night.
- Interior displays maintain clarity in both well-lit and dimly lit areas.
- Product showcase areas benefit from accurate color representation.
- Promotional messages stay readable across all store sections.
5. Improved performance for dynamic content like videos and animations
Dynamic content (like videos and animations) performs better on displays with high contrast ratios. The sharper distinction between light and dark areas enhances motion clarity, making visuals more engaging and impactful for viewers.
This is useful for LED retail displays that run video ads and promotional content.
Conclusion
Contrast ratios are key to how well LED retail displays perform.
High-quality LED displays with great contrast ratios can:
- Show product details more accurately, helping customers make informed decisions.
- Make text and graphics stand out, even in busy visual environments.
- Perform well in different lighting conditions.
- Perform better across different viewing angles (assuming proper optical design).
Shop LED retail displays with Elite Displays. Contact Elite Displays for more information.
