Results: Gamma And ANSI Contrast Ratio
Gamma is the measurement of luminance levels at every step in the brightness range from 0 to 100 percent. This is important because poor gamma can either crush detail at various points or wash it out, making the entire picture appear flat and dull. Correct gamma produces a more three-dimensional image, with greater depth and pop. Meanwhile, incorrect gamma can negatively affect image quality, even in monitors with high contrast ratios.
In the gamma charts below, the yellow line represents 2.2, which is the most widely-accepted standard for television, film, and computer graphics production. The closer the white measurement trace comes to 2.2, the better.
HP ZR2740w
The ZR2740w displays nearly perfect gamma tracking. Aside from a microscopic dip at 30 percent, and a slightly larger hump at 90 percent, it hugs the 2.2 mark very closely. The 90 percent measurement represents an output deficiency of less than 3 cd/m2; an invisible error. We measured the gamma at several brightness levels and achieved the same results regardless of the setting.
Asus PB278Q
The PB278Q also measures well in the gamma tracking test. The deviations seen in the chart are extremely minor, representing, at most, a five percent variation in light output. Like the HP, these errors are invisible to the naked eye.
The gamma value range shows the quality of tracking from zero to 100 percent. A flatter gamma trace is obviously more desirable. This chart shows the distance between the highest and lowest gamma values. A smaller number indicates better tracking from minimum black to maximum white.
Both panels finish mid-pack in this test, although they are quite a bit closer to the leaders than they are the bottom two monitors. None of the screens in our chart display more than a tiny error. So, for all intents and purposes, the HP and Asus panels are close to the best we’ve measured.
Beginning with the Auria EQ276W review, we’re expressing gamma error as a percent deviation from 2.2. This is the ideal value and will most closely match the mastered gamma of video, game, and business graphic content.
While the AOC I2757FH is still the leader with a perfect 2.2 gamma average, the HP and Asus monitors are less than one percent off the mark. You can see from the tracking charts above how slight the errors are. Essentially, both screens achieve perfection in this test.
ANSI Contrast Ratio
Another important measure of contrast is ANSI. To perform this test, a checkerboard pattern of sixteen 0 and 100 percent squares are measured. This is somewhat more real-world than on/off measurements because it tests a display’s ability to simultaneously maintain both low black and full white levels, which also factors in screen uniformity. The average of the eight full-white measurements is divided by the average of the eight full-black measurements to arrive at the ANSI result.
Given the superb on/off contrast numbers posted by both of today’s monitors, it’s no surprise to see them take the ANSI contrast crown, too. The ViewSonic VX2770Smh and AOC I2757FH are both only FHD displays, making the Samsung the next-best QHD monitor. For HP and Asus to post nearly double its ANSI contrast measurement is pretty impressive. In real-world viewing, this translates to greater image depth and more visible detail at the both extremes of the brightness range.
