Explain "Gamut Range" to me please!!

I need some education on "gamut range" for screens. The laptop I'm considering has 4 different screen options....

17.3" FHD 16:9 "Matte Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright LED Matte Screen (1920x1080) (stock)

17.3" FHD 16:9 "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright LED Glossy Screen w/ 72% NTSC Color Gamut (1920x1080) (SKU - X1R565) ( + 35 )

17.3" FHD 16:9 "Matte Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright LED Anti-Glare Screen w/ 72% NTSC Color Gamut (1920x1080) (SKU - X1R551) ( + 165 )

17.3" FHD 16:9 "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright LED Glossy Screen w/ 90% NTSC Color Gamut (1920x1080) (SKU - X1R503) ( + 185 )

Is it true that a wider gamut display will only be as useful as the software that recognizes it?? In other words...it's my understanding that most games aren't programmed to recognize gamut range..so having a higher gamut screen won't really make much difference....is it true that they really are only worth it if one does a lot of photo editing etc?? I will probably be going with a "Glare or Glossy" screen..because the majority of time I use my laptop is in dim lighting anyway..I will never be using it outside...so I'm not concerned with glare....also, will having my reseller "calibrate" my screen make a significant difference?? Thank you for all feedback...much appreciated!

 

I came from a standard monitor to my Alienware's RGBLED screen, even normal games look more vivid, even though they can't take advantage of all the colors. But yes it primarily benefits people who do Photoshop/art related things.

 

NTSC is close to sRGB and therefore the spec's you've supplied are pretty horrible, actually.

If colour accuracy is important to you (visually or/and for work related tasks) then a calibrated monitor is more important than almost anything else. When this accuracy is needed - the cost is well worth it (saves me thousands of dollars on 'test prints' each year).

 

I would keep the stock matte screen. The 95% matte option that used to exist was awesome, but the reflective finish ruins the small increase in color range. Spend that $165 on more SSD space.

 

Thanks for the advice....but I am very hesitant to do a Matte screen...because Bright "Popping" colors are more important to me than glare-reduction....I will primarily be using this computer in a dim room...it will never go outside..so I'm not concerned with glare or reflections..this being the case, I was going to go with a glossy/glare type screen...I was just wondering if it was worthwhile upgrading to one of the high gamut glossy screens....like...would I really notice a visible difference in my usage scenarios....so upgrade to 72% or even 90% gamut or stick with just a stock glossy..that I can get for $35...

 

Gamut is essentially the percentage of colors that are covered by a certain color spectrum. So 72% NTSC gamut means that 72% of the colors in the NTSC spectrum are covered.

NTSC is close to the adobeRGB, not sRGB. In terms of size, 72% NTSC ~= 100% sRGB. For all intents and purposes, 72% NTSC pretty much covers the full sRGB spectrum.

Source:
sRGB vs AdobeRGB vs NTSC: PC Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review
LCD Monitors and Color Gamuts

Since 72% NTSC is standard gamut for media, movies and games might look over-saturated on higher gamut screens. But I would still take a higher gamut screen any day of the week.

 

Thanks for correcting me. NTSC is close to ARGB, not sRGB.

However, keep in mind that at the same percentage (72%) it doesn't mean that two monitor's with this spec will look the same (the actual coverage inside the NTSC colour space can move around quite a lot and still be in the 72% range).

 

Thanks for the input...Would you mind expanding a little more on what you mean here....I just want to know your bottom line opinion...is it worth the upgrade to a high gamut, calibrated screen....keep in mind that I will be gaming, watching movies...general web surfing...your statement is slightly contradictory..if having a gamut of 90% may cause my games/movies to look "oversaturated"...then why would you still take it any day of the week? Thanks for your help!!

 

if you got money to blow than go with the better screen but otherwise don't bother. I personally would go with the 72% gamut thats sRGB right? 90% is extended gamut right? aka 1billion colors? For 35 bucks its worth getting a calibrated screen and 72% accuracy in my books if they actually take a colormeter to it. Also my biggest question does the 72% and 90% gamut screens have a different panel? (obviously they are) if so do they have better viewing angles or brighter screens and or better response times? Also is it TN or IPS? I find it a little shady for a TN to have 72% gamut let alone 90% gamut. Again 35 bucks??? why not? Also if you are sure you want glossy than go glossy but I would go matte personally. (Again something best seen in person to truly tell)

 

These are some articles that discuss some of the problems with "too much" gamut, amongst other things related to screen technology.

Maximum PC | Display Myths Shattered: How Monitor & HDTV Companies Cook Their Specs
Color Basics, How Video Color Works
TFT Central
Samsung Galaxy S Super OLED Display Shoot-Out
Photo MP | Gateway

For a tl;dr version, there are standards for consumer content, and, quoting one of the articles, "If you view sRGB content on a wide gamut screen then this can lead to some colours looking incorrect as they are not mapped correctly to the output device. In practice this can lead to oversaturation, and greens and reds can often appear false or neon."


That being said, I would still get a higher color gamut screen if the price is right because a) you have more freedom to calibrate the colors to how you like b) most people probably won't even notice that colors are oversaturated c) you have a screen that is better for doing things that require higher gamut, ie. photography/photoediting d) higher gamut screens usually have higher quality, atleast for desktop monitors e) standards might change f) you can brag to your friends that your screen has higher gamut.

 

yep that is mostly my reasoning behind it too...sums it up quiet nicely...I still go for the 72% (counting thats a real 72% and not a marketing scheme...how many TNs have 16.7mil colors lol) I think the 35 bucks is a steal for a 72% gamut and better display....if its better. 185...i rather save the 150 bucks because you really have no idea what your getting in terms of quality (72% vs 90%) If the 90% screen has better viewing angles better brightness and better response times aka less ghosting then heck yea go for the 90% but you don't know so don't bother with waste 150 bucks unless you got the money to burn and want to chance it.

my honest conservative approach to it....the other is screw it buy the more expensive one but I don't do those things ^^

 

Great responses...all of it makes sense...I appreciate your feedback! I'll let you know how it turns out....

 

I actually have the AUO B173HW01 V.4 (the technical name for the 90% color gamut screen in question here), and I can wholeheartedly say that it was worth every penny.

After the 6970M, it's the second best expenditure I made when purchasing this notebook. Every other laptop screen someone brings in its vicinity pales in comparison, and people comment on how beautiful games, movies, and videos look all the time.

I wouldn't give it up for anything. It's really that good.

 

Now thats the type of real -world opinion I was looking for....thank you very much for sharing!

 

I have the 95% Gamut screen that's is the upgrade screen for the 15inch Sager/Clevo/Malibal, etc. I love the screen! All of the colors look very nice, and the screen doesn't disappoint. I also have the glossy screen, and the only problem with it is that it's too glossy when it's off (when in use with an external monitor).

 

I was thinking that a Matte anti-glare screen would have been fine, but after reading this im not so sure thats the case. How much better for games/movies is a glossy screen?

Im just thinking if I take my notebook somewhere I dont want to see the bright lights in the cielings with my games/movies.

 

Update: First off, thanks again for the responses..I actually ended up actually going with the 72% "glare" type glossy screen for only $35 upgrade...I had originally ordered the 90% for $185...but I came to the decision that the $150 difference could be spent more wisely elsewhere...My laptop arrived yesterday and I didn't get to open it until 9PM last night..and I had to reseat the hard drive (it had come loose during shippnig)...so I only have had like an hour to spend with the computer..but I will say I think the 72% glossy screen is gorgeous! Would the 90% been that much better and worth the extra $150??? Who knows...now I'm curious..but for only an extra $35 I am totally happy with this one...I also had them calibrate it with Spyder Elite software..I haven't had the chance to game or watch a movie yet...but I'll let you know...so far..I think it's a step above my old Sager screen..which I thought was good anyway.
As for Matte vs Glossy...I had the same dilemma before ordering...I really think you have to measure what is more important to you...I know exactly what you meant in your other post about the little "rainbow-looking pixelation" you are seeing on your matte screen..I have that from the non-glare screen protector on my Galaxy Nexus phone (which also btw has a gorgeous native screen)..and it drives me nuts..that being said...if you are going to be using your laptop outside or under bright artificial light..then the matte screen is prob an okay thing...I for one..will almost always be using my laptop in relatively dim lighting...with no reflections...and having bright "popping" colors for gaming, pics and movies is more important to me any day of the week than reflections..so I prob will never get a matte screen...I find that on these forums, most people really favor matte screens vs glossy..which is slightly surprising to me..but to each their own...I love the super bright color and resolution of the glossy myself...if it bothers you that much..perhaps see if there is still time for you to send it back and have them swap the screen out..even if it costs you a couple bucks...in the long run, if it's going to make you happier....you'll forget about those couple dollars real quick..and it will be all worth it...good luck!

 

Thanks for the reply NotebookNeophyte, I have about a week or two before I actually go ahead with my purchase. I wanted to keep the price of my laptop around $1700, but with this latest screen issue im not so sure anymore.

I want to order the MSIGT780DX-406US with added Ram, 6x Blu-Ray player, and the bigfoot killer 1103 with 3 antennas.

I never thought of choosing anything but the Matte screen until reading your initial post. But really this laptop is going to be my desktop replacement. It's going to be more powerful than my desktop so I will be using it like a desktop majority of the time. I am really only buying a notebook because I never really updated any of my desktops but rather just bought new ones without upgrading. So I thought id try something with some portability now. I will be using my notebook for school in April, and might stick around at school and play games for a bit rather than head home. But even then I should be able to find some dim lite areas to sit at.

Guess I've got some deciding to do.. I hate choices, just wish everything was straight forward. But you seem very happy with it so I may just give it a try. I would only do the 72% as well because I cant afford to throw $185 on a screen.

 

Hey..sorry..I think I may have confused you with another post..who already has the laptop and is having 2nd thoughts with the matte screen...listen, the majority of people here like the matte screen..and like I said, if you took a poll here..I bet most would respond picking matte vs glossy...I think this may be warranted if you are travelling around a lot to LAN parties in bright rooms...or are going to be outside..this does not apply to me..I use my laptop as a desktop replacement as well..and it will prob never be leaving my geeky office...my personal opinion for you...especially because you will be in a dorm room where you can probably control the lighting a bit...is to go with glossy..and if you have the extra $35 do the 72%...now I also paid xotic to calibrate the screen...because I had a couple bucks left to spend and I just wanted it done..but I really cannot speak to how much of a difference that may have made as well...I cannot wait to get home later tonight and test out a movie on mine...but even just scrolling through the different wallpapers and web browsing..it is an amazing screen and so far I love it!! I'm not sure where you are orderign from, it's possible that different resellers may use different model glossy screens for upgrades, so keep that in mind...I got mine from xoticpc.com. Best of luck to you and pm me if you have any detailed questions..