We've all been there - flipping through our display properties and seeing the colour quality setting. Which to choose, which to choose...higher is better, right? And so we all flip to 32-bit, convinced that we're seeing the best that our computers can offer. We are...aren't we?

Well, maybe. You see, colour quality, known more accurately as "colour depth" is actually a pretty intricate science - one that is incredibly important, but / /very rarely discussed. Why? Well, let's just start with the fact that you'd be surprised how many of the current displays on the market fall short of expectations. We'll get into more detail on that later, though.

The truth is, colour depth is an inexact science from the start - not because of the digital aspects of it, but because of the so-called "analogue" aspects of our eyes (something we'll also touch on). In fact, there's a myriad of variables that determine whether you'll ever see the benefits of that highest setting on your system.

However, before we get into that, it's helpful to know exactly what we're talking about.