@koshman
I guess i am lucky enough to use a LCD monitor/TV in which i can adjust contrast brightness, and gamma thru an OSD menu, so i dont get that contrast issue.
That's not a failsafe guarantee for avoiding problems, though. My monitor's brightness/contrast are maxed out, and my screen is still incredibly dark. I think a lot of that is due to the multiple switchboxes my monitor goes through, but YMMV.