What feature makes dark scenes viewable?

[Twulz]

Hi All,

 

What feature of a monitor should I be looking for that will allow me to see the detail in dark scenes?

 

For example watching Game of Thrones (even hooking up my ps4 to watch the bluray version), in all the dark scenes I can't see what's going on - a good example is the dragon skull scenes I couldn't even see most of the skulls! Is it a matter of VN vs IPS? Or is there something else I should be looking for?
 

That is my number 1 feature I want in a new monitor but secondary to that I'd like something for gaming - though I play things like Civilization more than FPS so if I have to give up some gaming performance to watch my game of thrones, so be it! I currently have a 23" Dell screen from 2009 that I will use as a second monitor when I upgrade and I'm using a GTX 970 so probably not interested in 4K just yet.

If you have any specific monitors that I should be looking for I'm all ears, otherwise just a point in the right direction of the features I should be looking for to be able to see the dark scenes would be greatly appreciated.

[Glenwing]

22 minutes ago, Twulz said:

Hi All,

 

What feature of a monitor should I be looking for that will allow me to see the detail in dark scenes?

 

For example watching Game of Thrones (even hooking up my ps4 to watch the bluray version), in all the dark scenes I can't see what's going on - a good example is the dragon skull scenes I couldn't even see most of the skulls! Is it a matter of VN vs IPS? Or is there something else I should be looking for?
 

That is my number 1 feature I want in a new monitor but secondary to that I'd like something for gaming - though I play things like Civilization more than FPS so if I have to give up some gaming performance to watch my game of thrones, so be it! I currently have a 23" Dell screen from 2009 that I will use as a second monitor when I upgrade and I'm using a GTX 970 so probably not interested in 4K just yet.

If you have any specific monitors that I should be looking for I'm all ears, otherwise just a point in the right direction of the features I should be looking for to be able to see the dark scenes would be greatly appreciated.

It's not really a feature with a name, you just need a monitor that is properly calibrated so it will not exhibit black crush.

[Twulz]

10 minutes ago, Glenwing said:

It's not really a feature with a name, you just need a monitor that is properly calibrated so it will not exhibit black crush.

Oh OK, does that mean it's something I can calibrate on my old monitor too? (I'll still be getting a new one, but would be useful even on the 2nd monitor).

A quick google also tells me that this is more common for VN monitors, or is my best bet to google reviews for potential screens to see if they mention black crush being a specific issue? I'm glad I've finally got a name for it though - thank you!

[Origami Cactus]

32 minutes ago, Twulz said:

Oh OK, does that mean it's something I can calibrate on my old monitor too? (I'll still be getting a new one, but would be useful even on the 2nd monitor).

A quick google also tells me that this is more common for VN monitors, or is my best bet to google reviews for potential screens to see if they mention black crush being a specific issue? I'm glad I've finally got a name for it though - thank you!

Try the windows built in display calibration. Complete the calibration setup and see if it gets better.

[Twulz]

7 minutes ago, Origami Cactus said:

Try the windows built in display calibration. Complete the calibration setup and see if it gets better.

Thanks, I just did that but it seems the original calibration was mostly correct for this screen. The blacks are very washed out unless I make everything else extremely dark, then I can't see much of anything anyway.

 

I'm definitely still getting the new screen, just trying to determine exactly what I should be looking for.

[jones177]

VA.

 

That is what I use anyway.

To get the same level of brightness in shadows on a TN panel would wash out the rest of the scene

 

What to look for is a contrast ratio of 3000:1 or better.