I have a major feature article on display specs coming out shortly in Maximum PC magazine. It's the cover story and an 8 page comprehensive exposé. The issue has already shipped to subscribers and will be on newsstands within two weeks. Here is a link to the published article:
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/display_myths_shattered
Here is the initial press (teaser) announcement:
The competition between display and HDTV manufacturers has gotten so brutal that marketing gimmicks and misleading / fraudulent specs that take advantage of most consumer's lack of technical knowledge and understanding is playing a large role in driving sales and market share. This not only hurts consumers, but it also means that innovative manufacturers that develop new and better displays and display technologies can't demonstrate them with superior performance specs. Worse, the meaningless specs help substandard manufacturers by making their displays appear to be just as good as the best manufacturers, or even better, because the biggest liar wins.
Specs for all displays and HDTVs are so exaggerated that they are now completely meaningless and useless to consumers. It's all about spin and gimmicks and who is willing to tell the biggest lie. Many of the specs are being exaggerated by 1000 percent or more. It has snowballed out of control and even the best manufacturers are forced to play the game or lose significant business.
We Expose and Explain specs like Color Gamut including Sharp's new Quattron, Contrast Ratios, Response Time, Motion Blur, 120/240 Hz Refresh Rates, Viewing Angles, useless features and functions invented for marketing, and lots more.
Confusing Users with User Controls
Useless features and functions invented to impress consumers
Contrast Ratio, Ad Absurdum
Advertised Spec: Millions Actual: 1,500 to 2,000
Response Times: How Fast is Fast Enough?
Advertised Spec: 1ms Actual: 50ms
Color Gamut or Marketing Gambit?
Inflated colors instead of the standard colors needed for accuracy
Ending Display Fraud
I propose a program similar to EnergyStar to certify true Specs
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/display_myths_shattered
Here is the initial press (teaser) announcement:
The competition between display and HDTV manufacturers has gotten so brutal that marketing gimmicks and misleading / fraudulent specs that take advantage of most consumer's lack of technical knowledge and understanding is playing a large role in driving sales and market share. This not only hurts consumers, but it also means that innovative manufacturers that develop new and better displays and display technologies can't demonstrate them with superior performance specs. Worse, the meaningless specs help substandard manufacturers by making their displays appear to be just as good as the best manufacturers, or even better, because the biggest liar wins.
Specs for all displays and HDTVs are so exaggerated that they are now completely meaningless and useless to consumers. It's all about spin and gimmicks and who is willing to tell the biggest lie. Many of the specs are being exaggerated by 1000 percent or more. It has snowballed out of control and even the best manufacturers are forced to play the game or lose significant business.
We Expose and Explain specs like Color Gamut including Sharp's new Quattron, Contrast Ratios, Response Time, Motion Blur, 120/240 Hz Refresh Rates, Viewing Angles, useless features and functions invented for marketing, and lots more.
Confusing Users with User Controls
Useless features and functions invented to impress consumers
Contrast Ratio, Ad Absurdum
Advertised Spec: Millions Actual: 1,500 to 2,000
Response Times: How Fast is Fast Enough?
Advertised Spec: 1ms Actual: 50ms
Color Gamut or Marketing Gambit?
Inflated colors instead of the standard colors needed for accuracy
Ending Display Fraud
I propose a program similar to EnergyStar to certify true Specs
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