So what is contrast ratio? The contrast ratio that is stated with plasma televisions is one of the factors that determines the quality of the image on the plasma screen and is an important consideration. The contrast ratio is the difference in light intensity between the brightest white and the darkest black so is to do with how well you will be able to distinguish colours on the screen, the higher the contrast ratio the better the better colour representation as it will be easier to tell similar colours apart. Plasma screens with a low contrast ratio will struggle more with displaying similar colours so plasma televisions with a high contrast ratio will have more colour detail and therefore a better quality picture.

The contrast ratio is stated like 500:1 with the first number being the white and the last number being the black. It is the difference between these numbers that is important, the bigger the difference the brighter and more detailed the display will be on the plasma television.