Written By:
Table of Contents_
Two of the more recent technologies in flatscreen monitors are Samsung’s Dynamic Crystal Color and its other proprietary tech, PurColor. Understanding the difference between Dynamic Crystal Color vs PurColor and what they promise will help you find the best TV for your needs.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Both claim to display billions of colors for next-generation levels of detail, fidelity, and vibrance, but at different price points and with variable performance depending on the model. If you’re looking for other comparisons in display technology, such as Dolby Vision vs 4K, you can find it here.
Dynamic Crystal Color (DCC) is Samsung’s high-end color display tech, which displays a rich spectrum of over one billion colors for exceptional, innovative levels of detail, contrast, vibrance, and fidelity. This large jump in display power comes at a bit of a premium over many display types; however, depending on how a display is used, it may not be worth the extra cost for all.
Insider Tip
Dynamic Crystal Color in a Samsung display will give an optimal viewing experience in a mid to high-end model regardless of the media being viewed or the specific model.
PurColor is Samsung’s other newer technology, which functions somewhat like High Dynamic Range to display a larger spectrum of colors than traditional RGB methods for more detailed, richer colors and image fidelity. While less expensive than Dynamic Crystal Color, its performance can vary quite a bit from model to model, sometimes rendering it little more than a marketing angle as opposed to an effective piece of tech.
Of the two technologies, DCC offers a superior number of colors, being capable of producing an impressive 1 billion-plus colors for some of the richest, most detailed images available.
Conversely, PurColor displays a significantly smaller number of colors overall but attempts to increase perceived detail and richness by displaying colors based on both primary and secondary colors as opposed to the standard RBG method.
DCC is the technology used in Samsung’s mid-to-high-end lineup of TVs and offers over a billion colors for 64 times the color range and fidelity of standard Ultra High Definition displays. PurColor is the technology powering Samsung’s entry-level line, which attempts to offer exceptional fidelity and a range of colors over other TVs in the same price range. While DCC reliably offers next-generation fidelity, Samsung TVs using it are more expensive than PurColor TVs, which can have mixed results but often offer excellent performance for the budget-minded. If you are in the market for a budget TV, check out our comparison of TCL 65-inch vs Samsung. Additionally, we have a great comparison of Samsung vs Vizio to see who makes the best big-screen TV.
DCC displays produce impressive fidelity and color range, with deeper blacks and whiter whites. Working with HDR, the difference between DCC and PurColor is clear. PurColor attempts to produce more vibrant, rich images by using both primary and secondary colors (RGB and CMYK), but the results are mixed and depend greatly on the specific model and what’s being watched. PurColor can be effective in delivering excellent fidelity at a fraction of the cost of DCC but not reliably and never matching the quality of DCC. Additionally, you should know that the way the TV is lit can affect image fidelity. Most TVs, and especially budget TV, use edge-lit LED to light the display. However, full-array LED offers more detailed images and better lighting, albeit at a greater cost. You can see the comparison of full LED TV vs edge-lit LED TV to learn more.
Warning
PurColor technology will often offer improved color depth and vibrance in entry-level Samsung models, but it’s not the silver bullet that DCC tech is, and results can vary considerably depending on the specific model and its use.
F.A.Q.S
How does PurColor work on a TV?
Standard TVs, whether HD or Ultra HD, display color by focusing on the adjustment points of primary colors — red, green, and blue or RGB. PurColor attempts to emulate the way colors are perceived in nature by focusing on primary and secondary colors — cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, also known as “Key” or CMYK. This can produce richer image depth and fidelity in budget-friendly TVs.
What does Crystal TV mean?
A Samsung Crystal TV refers to the Dynamic Crystal Color tech used in its mid to high-end Ultra HD (4K) TVs. Dynamic Crystal Color offers greatly improved image fidelity and depth by producing over one billion colors, which is about 64 times the number of colors of standard Ultra HD displays.
What is Samsung UHD?
UHD or SUHD refers to Samsung’s group of proprietary Ultra High Definition technologies, which offer next-generation 4K image quality via a variety of methods and designs. Dynamic Crystal Color is one of those technologies and displays over one billion colors for superior vibrance and depth.
STAT: The Consumer Electronics Association first introduced Ultra High Definition or Ultra HD to the consumer market in October of 2012. (source)
STAT: The current premium standard for color performance — measured by bit depth — is 10 bits or over one billion colors. (source)
STAT: The first generation of Liquid Crystal Displays was introduced to the public in 1990. (source)
REFERENCES:
