AU Optronics was showing a new AMVA5 panel at Display Taiwan. AMVA 5th generation MVA panel features a real 16.000:1 contrast ratio. AMVA5 display has much deeper black tones, which results in higher contrast between the blacks and colours.

As we all know, contrast ratio for displays is most over hyped feature today. Most manufacturers are creating strong marketing push with quoting dynamic contrast ratio that exceeds 80.000:1… Dynamic contrast lowers the light from the backlight to make the picture appear to have more contrast. But dynamic contrast ratio is anything but an accurate figure, as every manufacturer is measuring it in their own way.

In real world a typical LCD desktop monitor has a contrast ratio between 1000-3000:1. AMVA5 with 16000:1 contrast ratio has a good chance to change the market. AU Optronics is primarly tarketing the TV market, with LCD computer monitors to follow later. Price might be an issue, as MVA panels are generally more expensive than plain TN panels usually found in consumer LCD monitors.

AUO is also developing AMVA displays for mobile devices. These smaller versions have a contrast ratio of "only" 3000:1, but still 3-5 times better than most current mobile displays.