What is GTG ms in Monitor? & MRPT? What ms is best?

What are those “2ms GtG” or “5ms GtG” specs on your monitor mean? Well, GtG stands for Gray-to-Gray, a term used to measure the speed of pixel color transitions in monitors.

It’s crucial for your display’s performance, particularly in fast-paced scenarios like gaming or video editing. But here’s the catch – not all GtG numbers are created equal. While a 2ms GtG monitor might seem just a tad faster than a 5ms one, the reality could be different.

So, let’s dip into understanding the true meaning of GtG in monitors.

Understanding GTG in Monitor

To start with, GtG or Gray-to-Gray is a key indicator of monitor performance and refers to the speed at which a pixel can transition from one shade of gray to another.

Definition of GtG

When we talk about GtG, we’re noting the measured time (usually in milliseconds) it takes for a pixel on an LCD monitor to change between two shades of gray.

In the past, the response speed of an LCD was measured by black-to-white or white-to-black change. However, with the advent of faster technology, GtG “Gray to Grey” became a more accurate and meaningful measure.

In the monitor’s specifications, you can see 1 GTG ms, which hints that the transition between two pixel colors occurs at the highest possible speed. Of course, such a statement looks promising, but it may be far from the truth.

In practice, a claim of 2ms or 5ms GtG doesn’t necessarily mean all pixel transitions occur at the stated speed. The speed can vary depending on the shades being transitioned; here’s how:

Manufacturers commonly use the VESA method to measure GtG. This standardized method involves measuring the transition from 10% to 90% brightness. However, this approach may introduce little inaccuracies as it excludes transitions like 0 to 10% or 90 to 100% brightness.

For instance, a monitor using a standardized method advertised as 5ms may have transitions taking up to 20ms, while most 2ms monitors manage transitions within 8ms or less.

Manufacturers sometimes set their brightness values from 20-30% to 80-100% rather than sticking to standardized measurements. This can result in only the fastest GtG numbers being listed, potentially masking slower transitions.

Gaming monitor response speed

Common display response speed measurements and performance values ​​are often as follows.

• GTG 1ms – Response speed 4ms (fast)
• GTG 1ms – Response speed 5ms (fast)
• GTG 2ms – Response speed 5ms (fast)
• GTG 2ms – Response speed 8ms (normal)
• GTG 2ms – Response speed 12ms (slow)
• GTG 2ms – Response speed 14ms (slow)
• GTG 2ms – Response speed 16ms (slow)

It is important to note that GTG can affect the quality of color reproduction. The fast response sometimes results in uneven illumination of pixels, causing colour transitions, especially dark ones, to look worse than they otherwise would. At the same time, a slightly slower response, not maximum, already allows the panel to demonstrate better its best qualities and colour transitions to look more realistic and richer. So moderation is essential in everything.

What does MPRT stand for?

Brands also use MPRT to specify the method by which the response time they advertise on the model has been measured.

MPRT stands for ‘Motion Picture Response Time‘ and is a measurement of how blurry the outlines are of images that follow the movement of a monitor image.

Unlike GtG, MPRT measures how long it takes for an object on the screen to move from one point to another without leaving any noticeable trail or ghosting effect behind.

Since humans tend to “focus their eyes on moving objects,” MPRT can measure the afterimage feeling closer to what people think through vision than GTG. However, gaming monitors labelled as MPRT are almost certainly measured using the black insertion function.

Black insertion or backlight strobing is a technology that reduces the feeling of afterimage by inserting a black frame momentarily between frames.

Gaming monitors often have lower MRPT values compared to regular monitors, as they are designed to handle fast-paced and dynamic gameplay. A lower MRPT value means reducing motion blur during fast-paced action scenes on the screen.

Judging from the way the numbers are calculated, the MPRT is more reliable than others.

MPRT > GTG > Response speed

Thus, MPRT is significant for applications where fast motion is involved, such as gaming, streaming, and video playback while GTG is more relevant for static image quality, such as text readability, image sharpness, and color transitions.

Overdrive technology

You may also come across the word overdrive when researching gaming or even regular monitors.

Overdrive is a technology that maximizes the response speed by increasing voltage; this further reduces the afterimage feeling.

Because monitors have overdrive technologies that drive pixels to switch faster than their natural state, this allows for smoother transitions between colors, reducing motion blur in fast-paced visual content.

In the product description and specifications, response speed values ​​are generally listed as values ​​measured in overdrive mode. This is the same for GTG and MPRT.

So, What specs of GTG and MPRT monitor should we get?

GTG:

For general office work, web browsing, and multimedia consumption, a GTG response time of 5ms or lower is usually sufficient. This ensures that static images are displayed with clarity and minimal ghosting or smearing.

For gaming or fast-paced content, aim for a lower GTG response time, such as 1ms or 2ms (assuming as VESA method), to minimize motion blur during rapid movements.

MPRT:

For gaming or other applications where motion clarity is crucial, look for an MPRT reduction percentage that suits your preferences and sensitivity to motion blur. Monitors with MPRT 50% (0.5ms) or higher typically offer noticeable improvements in motion clarity.

Keep in mind that while GTG and MPRT are important factors, they are not the only aspects of overall display performance. Factors such as refresh rate, panel type, input lag, and color accuracy should also be taken into account when choosing a monitor.

Want to learn more about refresh rate, you can read the next post.