Shadow Detail Test
Original synthetic dark-scene compositions featuring stepped concentric near-black rings and subtle low-luminance contours to evaluate how well your monitor renders subtle textures in dark game scenes or night movies.
Technical Scope & Limitations
Uses original synthetic graphics. Real-world movie/game shadow rendering can also be affected by video player color space and bit-depth.
Browser rendering output can be influenced by OS display scaling, GPU driver color settings, and active HDR profiles.
- Dim room lighting for optimal contrast sensitivity.
- Look at the dark concentric rings radiating from the center.
- You should be able to count multiple distinct rings rather than seeing a flat black silhouette.
- If details disappear, adjust monitor gamma or raise shadow detail in display settings.
What This Test Checks
- Low-luminance tonal gradation in dark cinematic and gaming scenes.
- Concentric shadow step separation (RGB 3 to 35).
- Absence of harsh pixel quantization banding in deep darks.
How to Perform the Test
- Perform test in a dimly lit or dark room.
- Allow 20 seconds for dark adaptation.
- Observe the dark concentric rings radiating outward from the center emblem.
- Count how many distinct rings you can separate from the black background.
What to Look For
- On a well-calibrated display, multiple outer and inner rings should be clearly discernible.
- If the entire screen looks like a flat black disc, shadow details are being severely crushed.
Common Display Problems & Diagnostic Guidance
Gamma 2.4 vs 2.2 in Dark Rooms
In pitch-black viewing rooms, standard BT.1886 / Gamma 2.4 produces deeper perceived contrast, while Gamma 2.2 is preferable in standard daylight conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are copyrighted photos used in this test?
No. ScreenCheck utilizes 100% original synthetic mathematical geometric artwork to ensure uncompressed, artifact-free testing.