Maxent MX-42HPT51 42" Plasma TV (Widescreen, 1024x768, HDTV)

Don't Buy Based on Contrast Ratio

Contrast ratio is the ratio of a display’s light output at maximum brightness to its output at minimum brightness, or peak white to pitch black. The most significant limiting factor is usually the black level rather than the white, because true black is hard to achieve and white intensity can’t be taken too high without becoming uncomfortable. Unfortunately, published specifications are unreliable: Manufacturers use at least four "standard" ways to measure contrast ratio, each of which yields different numbers; and the numbers produced by any one method varies depending on the test conditions and display settings. Manufacturers don't describe their methodology or test conditions in their specs, so don’t even think about comparing the contrast ratio of displays from competing manufacturers. Comparisons within a particular brand's line may have some validity, but even then, be careful of reading too much into them.