Have you ever come across the phrase “black crush” while reading TV or monitor reviews? The issue is gaining traction now that display makers attempt to improve black reproduction, especially LED-lit LCDs. So, what exactly are “Black Crush or Blackcrush?” and should you be concerned? In the below guide we will be giving you every detail about Black Crush on a display. So, keep reading the post below to learn everything about Black Crush or Blackcrush display.
What is Black Crush or Blackcrush?
Black Crush means a loss of shadow detail on a display. The loss of fidelity in particularly dark portions of an image is referred to as black crush. Although the word can be applied to both photography and video, it is most typically used to describe the loss of shadow detail in moving images such as movies and video games.
You might not notice black crush until you see the “right” image presented beside it (for example, on a different, adequately calibrated display). For instance, in the picture below, you can see a simulated example where the right side has lost detail in the bricks due to the shadow. This image contains “crushed blacks,” in other words.
Although the issue is unlikely to render the video unwatchable, it does distract from the overall presentation. Of course, you could miss small details around the edge of the frame in movies, but this problem can make it impossible to see what’s going on in some games (particularly in brightly lit rooms).
A black crush can occur for various reasons, not all of which are related to the display. For example, blacks will appear crushed if the shadow detail wasn’t caught in the first place because the camera wasn’t set up to do so. In addition, certain directors and photographers use this method to generate negative space on purpose.
Your TV or Monitor Makes a Difference
The display or source device is frequently the source of the problem (like a games console). For example, many games require the user to calibrate the gamma and white point when the software is first launched, and doing so incorrectly (or at a system level) might result in a loss of shadow detail. In some cases, games implement HDR poorly, resulting in the black crush.
When most consumer displays leave the factory, they are never calibrated, and without expert calibration, they will always produce an image that differs from the source. This is why content providers and photographers are strongly advised to edit their work on a calibrated monitor.
Sometimes it’s the television that’s the issue. For example, OLED displays are self-emissive, which means that the pixels may be turned off to display “true” darkness. Unfortunately, OLED has trouble coming out of black, resulting in a loss of shadow detail on some models as the TV tries to recreate the delicate tones that exist at the pixel level between the “on” and “off” states.
Many LED-lit LCD TVs currently use dimming algorithms to turn off or lower the light behind dark or black situations. This aids the TV in producing a considerably deeper black level, but it nearly always sacrifices shadow detail. In general, the more dimming zones a display has, the less severe the problem.
How to Test Your Display for Black Crush
A starfield test is a simple approach to check for black crush. Many of the stars won’t be visible on display with black passion. However, because a bright white pixel may sit next to a pure black one without any dimming mechanism interfering with the image, the great majority of stars should be visible on an OLED.
If you’ve only now realized what you’ve been missing out on, read our guide to getting a TV (or a TV for gaming) before parting with your money.
