What Is Gamma On A Monitor?

Gamma on a monitor refers to how the brightness of the display changes in relation to the input signal. It controls the relationship between the brightness of a pixel (luminance) and the intensity of the signal sent to the monitor. In simpler terms, gamma affects how light or dark images appear on the screen, particularly in the mid-tones.

How Gamma Works:

• Gamma defines the curve that maps input signal values (0-255 for 8-bit displays) to brightness levels.
• A low gamma value makes the image look brighter, especially in the dark areas.
• A high gamma value makes the image look darker, especially in the mid-tones and shadows.

Standard Gamma Values:

Most monitors and TVs use a standard gamma of 2.2. This means the brightness of the display is not linear but follows a curve where mid-tones are slightly darker.

For some professional displays (like for video editing), gamma values of 2.4 or other settings might be used.

Why Gamma Is Important:

1. Color Accuracy: Gamma ensures colors are displayed as intended by the content creator, especially in photography, video editing, and gaming.
2. Consistency: It helps ensure that images look the same across different devices (assuming the devices have the same gamma setting).
3. Detail in Shadows and Highlights: Proper gamma settings reveal details in dark or bright areas of an image.

Adjusting Gamma:

Most operating systems and monitors allow you to adjust gamma through settings:

• Windows: Use "Display Color Calibration."
• Mac: Use "Display Preferences."
• Monitor OSD (On-Screen Display): Many monitors have gamma settings accessible through their menu systems.

Example:

• If your gamma is set too low, images may look washed out and lack contrast.
• If gamma is set too high, images may appear too dark, losing detail in shadows.

In summary, gamma is critical for achieving the right balance of brightness and contrast to display images and videos accurately.