This thread is to document the black level measurements of the various displays that I have measured black levels in Malaysia/Singapore or anywhere in Asia

My equipment:

For the purposes of black level measurements I will use the following

1. X-Rite Chroma 5E
Specs : 0.02cd/m2 - 1000cd/m2
(0.006ft/L - 291ft/L)

2. Klein K-10
Measurement Range:
0.00006-2919 fL; 0.0002-10,000 cd/m2

cd/m2 - Candela/meter2
ft/L - foot Lamberts

I also own a EyeOne Pro Spectrophotometer that is used for calibration but not suitable for black level measurements.

The lower the number indicates lower black levels (better). These measurements are for a full/window black 0% IRE signal. As I get ANSI contrast measurements, I will add to this thread.

Plasma

Pioneer 428XG (2000hrs) - 0.009ft/L
Pioneer 428XG (2200hrs) - 0.011ft/L (ANSI Method)
Pioneer 508XG (~3000hrs) - 0.008ft/L
KRP600M (1200hrs) - 0.0013ft/L
KRP600M (1500hrs) - 0.0025ft/L (ANSI Method)

Panasonic 50VT20 (200+hrs) - 0.005ft/L
Panasonic 50V20 (1500hrs) - 0.009ft/L
Panasonic 50U20 (1200hrs) - 0.024ft/L
Panasonic 42X10 (2000hrs) - 0.08ft/L
Panasonic 42U30 (500hrs) - 0.032ft/L

Panasonic 65VT50 - 0.0025ft/L (THX Modes)
- 0.0033ft/L (ANSI - THX Mode)
- 0.006ft/L (Pro Modes)
- 0.006ft/L (ANSI - ProMode)
Panasonic 65ST50 - 0.0028ft/L (TrueCinema Mode)
- 0.0033ft/L (ANSI)

Samsung 50C650 ~500hrs - 0.06ft/L (0.12ft/L with Cinema Smooth on)

Edit: Added xx50 measurements

This post has been edited by anfieldude: Sep 3 2012, 09:41 AM

Reserved

Rising Black....

The 2010 models did rise a bit after 1000hrs. And 1 more rise at about 2000hrs or so.

This thread will not answer which is better (LCD or plasma) as this is only one part of the puzzle.

Brightness? I am assuming you mean contrast (how bright does a white screen go)?

I have seen plasmas go as high as 50ft/L for a window of 100% white while still maintaining good integrity of white. If its a full screen of 100% white, then the 9G Kuros could go to about 18ft/L. I am told that this years Panasonics can go up to 24ft/L (which is bright in my opinion).

LCDs are different as they do not have the ABL (Automatic Brightness Limiter) or APL (Automatic Peak Limiter) that the plasmas have. The highest contrast I could get a LCD to go while maintining integrity of white was about 40ft/L (I believe the new LGs, Samsung and Sony could go higher ~55ft/L but I have not measured them as yet). The difference is that LCDs that show 40ft/L on windows will show 40ft/L on full screen as well, so LCDs do go brighter (full white) in real life. While it is not necessary to go that high for dim/dark environment and will be uncomfortable to the eye those circumstances, it is good for bright environments....

Posting a picture will not really help, as the monitor that different people use to view it are not calibrated so it will be different.

In real life, 30ft/L of windowed white is plenty bright in a dim environment and 45ft/L windowed white is bright enuf for day environment if ur screen is matte or has a good anti reflective coating.

This post has been edited by anfieldude: Mar 28 2011, 08:48 AM

Yeah, got my K-10 about 1 month ago. Fantastic piece of equipment. Very stable readings all around. Profiled with the EyeOne Pro it becomes quite a tool for calibration.

I can finally measure black levels on the 9G Kuros and its that low.

I believe the V20 shd be in the range of 0.01 - 0.02 ft/L, will add info as I get them.

I corrected my information on the older C650. Keep in mind that this is an older model. The 2010 models were better.

I hope to add more Samsung measurements when I get the chance. I will also add LCD measurements when I get them.

I added info on the 50VT20 that I calibrated recently.

Yes but this was comparing the 2010 Panny with the 2009 Samsung.

When I calibrated the last few sets, I did not own the Klein K-10. The next chance I get, I will get the measurement and publish it.

These measurements are black window.

I have not done ANSI measurements (checkerboard) on the sets except my own Kuros (428XG and KRP-600M)

I added ANSI measurements (checkerboard) on my 2 sets.

The V20 started somewhere around 0.007-0.008ft/L. The VT20 are lower.

Our V series are similar to G series in the UK(Infinite Black vs Infinite Black Pro). Our VTs are the same as theirs.

U can get it from spectracal or from klein instruments. It about usd7000. PM and I can connect u with the right people. Maybe u can let me know what u primarily want to use it for.

I added 2011 Panasonic data. Will add as I calibrate more soon. A step back for black levels as far as 2011 is concerned. Tallies with what has been observed in the states and in the UK. Also energy savings is also capping the overall peak contrast of the 2011 sets. As a comparison, I could get 36ft/L in the U20, I could not go above 27ft/L in the 2011 U30.

I added some data for 2012 Panasonic plasmas.