Surface RT, iPads, Galaxy Tab 10.1 Image Contrast and Intensity Scales    

The Intensity Scale (sometimes called the Gray Scale) not only controls the contrast within all displayed images but it also controls how the Red, Green and Blue primary colors mix to produce all of the on-screen colors. The steeper the Intensity Scale the greater the Image Contrast and the higher the saturation of displayed color mixtures. So if the Intensity Scale doesn't follow the Standard that is used in all consumer content then the colors and intensities will be wrong everywhere in all images.

In order to deliver accurate color and Image Contrast a display must closely match the Standard Intensity Scale. Figure 3 shows the measured Intensity Scales for the displays alongside the industry standard Gamma of 2.2, which is the straight black line.

The Surface RT and iPad 3 have fairly straight and accurate Intensity Scales, which produces fairly accurate Image Contrast.

The iPad 2 also has a straight Intensity Scale but it is much steeper than the Standard. That increases image contrast and improves Color Saturation, which helps with the iPad 2's smaller Color Gamut.

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 has a curved Intensity Scale that results in inaccurate and variable Image Contrast and Color Saturation.

Intensity Scale for each of the Displays
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