How Display Technology is Developing: High Resolution, High Contrast Ratio & Immersion Standards

Technological advancement’s influence on product development

The advent of over-the-top (OTT) and high-definition streaming services such as Netflix and high-end PC games is transforming product strategies of display manufacturers. This is in response to consumers, who now perceive displays as a means to immersion rather than mere devices.

Once premium features such as 8K resolution content, HDR10+ specifications, variable scan rate (VRR) support, and ultra-high scan rates over 240Hz are becoming increasingly common. In particular, the gaming monitor market is valued at 16.182 billion today is expected to reach 29.119 billion by 2032¹.

Prioritized technology according to product type

Though the industry appears stagnant on the surface, premium product segments centered on high resolution and high scan rates are steadily expanding, with the individual product lines of TVs, gaming, laptops, and vehicle displays each prioritizing various core technologies.

For example, gaming monitors mainly adopt AdaptiveSync and ultra-high scan rates of 240Hz or higher, while curved and ultra-wide screen developers focus on automatic brightness control and blue light filters.

Notably, real-time ambient light detection is becoming more widespread in TVs. Furthermore, industry analysis reveals that premium TV brands are now competing on features such as personalization, vision protection, and gaming. As such, market-leading products of the future may not be differentiated by a single specification, but by a combination of features tailored to the end-user’s environment.

The growing importance of certification amid technological advancements

More than marketing terms, AdaptiveSync, DisplayHDR, and HDR10+ now serve as the basis for product reliability and transactions. Authentication of these new technologies has thus become increasingly critical. In fact, the VESA Association now uses AdaptiveSync and DisplayHDR certification as a benchmark for product design and performance. This is largely due to prevailing interface specifications (HDMI 2.1/2.2, DisplayPort 2.1, etc) being indispensable for high-bandwidth content transmission (8k 120Hz).

Certification marks are also taken into consideration during consumers' purchasing decisions. As part of a shift towards design-certification-verification integration across the industry, South Korean organizations such as the National Institute of Technology and Standards (KATS) and the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology Evaluation and Management (KEIT) are encouraging compliance during early design stages. In other words, certification must now be considered during planning, not just during launch.

User-centric technological design

Beyond resolutions and specifications, competition between display technologies is being reshaped around actual user experiences and the following trends:

• Technology as a central user experience asset rather than mere product differentiator.
• High value-added segments such as 8K TVs and ultra-high injection rate gaming monitors driving the market growth.
• Energy efficiency and eco-friendliness emerging as new challenges regardless of product type.
• Technology certification that secures consumer confidence while also fulfilling core design standards and terms of transaction. but also serves as the core of design standards and terms of transaction.

Nevertheless, advanced display technologies must still go through standardized ‘route’ carved out by HDMI and DisplayPort standards before product implementation. Enjoy a smooth path to compliance at GRL's leading display technology test labs.

Reference

1. Gaming Monitor Market, Global Outlook and Forecast 2026-2032. Market Monitor Global.