Re: 30-bit Color on 24-bit Hardware

From: Rick (me_at_privacy.net)
Date: 09/27/04 

Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2004 16:45:09 -0700

"Stephen H. Westin" <westin*nospam@graphics.cornell.edu> wrote in message news:s0acvbmkrk.fsf@diesel.graphics.cornell.edu...
> "Rick" <me@privacy.net> writes:
>
> > "Bob Myers" <nospamplease@address.invalid> wrote in message news:Kw15d.11687$MS.7082@news.cpqcorp.net...
> > >
> > > "Ron W. Silvas" <contact@silvasdigital.com> wrote in message
> > > news:c516aeb9.0409241202.6a4f5b6c@posting.google.com...
> > > > I've found that 24-bit artifacts are quite demonstratable on both CRTs
> > > > and LCDs, alike, (as can be experienced with the previously mentioned
> > > > tech demo) but I believe that, if anything, they would be more
> > > > noticeable on CRTs because the higher dynamic range of a CRT means that
> > > > an 8-bit color channel's 256 intensity/brightness levels have that much
> > > > more perceptual space to cover, right?
> > >
> > > I've been following this thread with interest, but a couple of
> > > comments seem appropriate at this point.
> > >
> > > First - what "higher dynamic range" of the CRT? Neither the
> > > color gamut or the contrast of the typical CRT display is
> > > much different that what can be obtained with the LCD.
> >
> > Nonsense. The backlight technology used in LCDs (at least
> > those in the con/prosumer range) precludes the possibility that
> > they can match the gamut of a decent CRT. E.g. a $700
> > Mitsubishi 2070 easily outgamuts a $1300 Apple Cinema
> > Display.
>
> Really? Where did you find this out? Do you have the respective primary
> chromaticities handy?
>
> > > What I think the problem here really is, is a difference in the
> > > response curves of the two technologies. CRTs have a very
> > > nice (perceptually) "gamma" sort of response, whereas LCDs
> > > have a perceptually-nastier "S-shaped" response that cannot
> > > adequately be compensated for with only 8 bits per channel,
> > > not if you still intend to have 8 bit/channel of perceptually linear
> > > intensity control. The solution here is greater dynamic range
> > > (bit depth) at the panel (i.e., at the driver level), to permit
> > > compensation for the panel's response and thus present a
> > > "CRT-like" 8-bit input. Fortunately, we ARE starting to see
> > > 10-bit LCD drivers entering the market.
> >
> > More nonsense. No amount of compensation will overcome
> > the limitations of LCD's backlight technology. One has the
> > choice of losing near blacks altogether, or settling for a
> > constant and muddy bluish or grayish glow instead of black.
>
> In any reasonable lighting level, a good LCD will be at least
> competitive in dynamic range with any CRT. The days of all CRT's being
> better than all LCD's are past.

We've been through this, Stephen, where you pull out your
highly misleading "research paper" and make highly misleading
claims based on misleading information.

The bottom line? Virtually no professional graphic shops use
LCDs. Why? Because any serious attempt at color correcting
on con/prosumer LCDs is an exercise in futility. End of story.

Rick