Last Updated on May 24, 2021
Response time of a monitor is the time in which the pixel shifts its color from one state to another. Actually, the response time has everything to deal with the color and the pixel coloration shift.
That is the reason why it is important especially if you are a graphics designer, a competitive gamer with no compromise on performance.
Black to White to Black
Black to white to black again is the behavior of the monitor’s pixel for the changeover of its color. Also, the response time can be deduced when a pixel becomes inactive (black) to active (white) and then comes back to its first state.
As mentioned above, monitor response time has a direct relation with pixel color shift. Therefore, the total sum of time in the ‘Black to White to Black’ process is a few milliseconds Black to white to black tells the overall rise and fall of pixels in the display screen, usually in gaming LCDs.
To check how good the response time of the monitor is, ‘Black to White and Black’ is an expected criterion.
Gray-to-Gray (GtG)
Gray-to Gray is the measure for pixel speed. It tells you how long the pixel will take to shift its current gray shade to another one. For gaming monitors, GtG is the pixel measurement that is used to measure the response time of your monitor. It is highly essential for playing fast-paced games, videography or color grading.
Unlike Black white and Black, in Gray-to-Gray pixel speed do not become fully inactive, rather they will change the shading.
1ms of GtG is the best response time that swiftly takes care of pixel transition even if you are anticipating the split screen approach. With beyond 256 spectrums, Gray-to-Gray is the most accurate and dedicated feature for gamers. It is the simplest and fastest response to the pixel state relocation.
Why Is Response Time Important?
In gaming monitors response time makes sure the uniform graphics followed by the swift colors change, and lag-free performance. Response time in the light of pixel shift makes the active (white) and inactive (black) and then active pixel speed unnoticed. That is the reason mainly gamers, videographers, photographers, and related fields.
However, monitor response time is not too important for an ‘easy-going’ PC user with browsing, reading etc. Even if you watch videos or movies, response shouldn’t be your first preference. Ideally, fastest response time such as 1ms to 5ms is regarded best for gamers and videographers.
All in all, the importance of response time depends on the activity of the user. For dedicated gamers response time holds a significant place on the other hand regular users won’t need it.
What Are the Downsides of a Fast Response Time?
Using a gaming monitor at an upgraded response time has major downsides pertaining to brightness and colors. Mainly it can promote dull and lackluster coloration in every frame. Moreover, the enhanced response time may bring along the brightness concern.
For users with eye strain issues the balance in response time is the key as either elevated brightness or too dull colors can ruin the fun of the game altogether.
Should You Buy a Monitor With a Low Response Time?
Monitor purchase with low response time means that you have the fastest and fluid-like pixel shift. As a matter of fact, monitors with low response time imply the fastest response of its pixel change from one color to another.
If your only competitor is the computer while you are playing a game, monitors with a low response time will not turn the tables. This is because it would not affect the motion blur, trailing and the ghosting of the screen.
For low response time monitors one thing is guaranteed and that is the avoidance of image ghosting and hence picture clarity becomes the next anticipation.
On the other hand if you own a professional business unlike many gamers, low response time of monitors will definitely not make a difference. In fact, if you don’t play such competitive games, a low response time monitor wouldn’t make a difference.