ISO measure for text
For the moment we focussed our tests on games and movies, but we must say that the ISO 13406-2 norm was written for flat screens used in a professional environment. 1999 was the year they started creating the norm and it was finalised in 2001. Back then, users dreamt of flat screens and it was still the prehistory of this market. Professional screens are destined for work in a professional environment, for example, the writing and reading documents, two relevant activities as we surf the Internet, write reports, etc.
In this context conditions are different. To get clear and sharp text, there must be a light color on a dark background or as is the case most of the time, dark on a light background. This is where the response time measurement is relevant. So, a screen’s reactivity with games and movies is different from reactivity with text.
This time, response time corresponds to visual tests.
Response times confirm our visual impressions. The LG monitor is the fastest of all four for text. The Philips and Samsung screens provide equivalent results just below the LG. All three screens are noticeably more reactive than the Iiyama. Even if it’s possible to see an afterglow effect when really close to the screen, in practice this effect is negligible. It’s not possible to play with a slow screen, but a slow screen with text can still be used without problem. The only difference is reduced user comfort.
In conclusion the “black – white – black” and “white – color (including black) – white” should only be used to evaluate a screen’s reactivity in an office environment. Response time even between grays shouldn’t be included in evaluating a screen’s performance with games and movies.
