contrast ratio confusion

[techidave]

Exactly what does the "contrast ratio" do for anyone as far as TV's, projectors, etc. go?  My personal opinion says that a 2000:1 will have better looking colors and picture than a 400:1 will (at least for a tv).

Is my perception wrong??  I need to purchase a projector for one of our teachers who will be showing a number of dvd videos.

I have been reading some articles in the net and also this one at Gizmodo site http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/feature/contrast-ratio-shoot+out-everyone-loses-259495.php

What are your thoughts? maybe its not worth worrying about?

[f0dder]

Contrast is important, but not everything - you also need to consider color space, brightness (no good if a projector requires a pitch-black room in order to be usable), resolution, et cetera. For TVs/monitors, you'd also have to worry about refresh rate (and whether the listed number is a fake based on "intelligent" refreshes), and whether motion causes ghosting or other interesting effects.