Do LCD's Typically Oversaturate White?

GoNYIsles · TweakNOOB Joined: 02 Jun 2003 Posts: 60

When I first started using my new LCD (SyncMaster 191T), I noticed that bright white, mostly along the edges of the screen, was clearly oversaturated. Displaying bright white backgrounds produced a yellowish/cream discoloration. Though I kept the monitor in digital mode, I was able to adjust the screen perfectly with the video card's software, just nudging the contrast slider down and the digital vibrancy slider up.

I know it's common for LCD's to sometimes have uneven brightness across the display, but is it also common for them to oversaturate the bright end of the spectrum? Samsung suggested I may have a defective monitor, but like I said, it looks perfect after a little tweaking of the video settings.

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GoNYIsles · TweakNOOB Joined: 02 Jun 2003 Posts: 60

The SyncMaster series is the top of the line. I wonder if certain video cards are more prone to send out stronger signals than others, even when using a digital connection. I assessed my monitor to be in perfect condition because it had no broken pixels and the discoloration could easily be remedied. My thinking could be flawed, though.

GoNYIsles · TweakNOOB Joined: 02 Jun 2003 Posts: 60

Don't know, might be. I guess I equate it to a TV...when you first get it, the factory defaults are always off. You have to adjust the brightness, contrast, etc., to get it right...doesn't mean it's broken.

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

Well, it looks like this question was answered before I even woke up,,lol.

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GoNYIsles · TweakNOOB Joined: 02 Jun 2003 Posts: 60

What time is it there, Nathan? Lol. It's only 3 PM where I am. And please feel free to offer your thoughts anyway.

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

Yea, it's 3pm here. I was up to 5am getting PRICEGRABBER implemented on the website.
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GoNYIsles · TweakNOOB Joined: 02 Jun 2003 Posts: 60

Oh, ok. What are your thoughts on the oversaturation issue?

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

The best settings for your monitor are:

100% contrast
50-60% brightness

Change these through your monitor.
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GoNYIsles · TweakNOOB Joined: 02 Jun 2003 Posts: 60

Only brightness is available in digital mode. That's why I made my adjustments through the display settings/video card. With the locked settings, the monitor is at "50", which I presume to be 50% contrast.

GoNYIsles · TweakNOOB Joined: 02 Jun 2003 Posts: 60

Hey Nathan - I just got off the phone with Samsung and they are 99% sure its a video card problem, stating that with some cards, tweaking is needed even in digital mode. Does this sound reasonable to you? Though I can make the display adequate through "artificial" means, I'm trying to ascertain if this thing is defective or not.

GoNYIsles · TweakNOOB Joined: 02 Jun 2003 Posts: 60

One of CNET's amateur techies feels that even in digital mode, monitors need tweaking. Talk about being swept away in a sea of ambiguity. Lol.

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

Yea, the washout has to be fixed through the display properties.

I was looking at my 191N when I made the last post, the monitor looks like a 191T so i got a little confused for a second.

I adjusted everything for my 191T through ATI's display properties.

Gamma: 1.00
Brightness: 0
Contrast: 122

There ya go!

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GoNYIsles · TweakNOOB Joined: 02 Jun 2003 Posts: 60

Thanks

GoNYIsles · TweakNOOB Joined: 02 Jun 2003 Posts: 60

After adjusting the contrast and brightness in the properties (in my case, making both equally lower), I still get a tinge of "off-white" (best I can describe it) along the left margin of the screen. It's certainly not as noticeable as it once was, but at the risk of beating a dead horse, I wanted to know if I can expect pure, bright white throughout an LCD screen, or if some minor tints/hues may be common, regardless of analog or digital mode. Thanks for putting up with my monotonous question.

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

Both of my LCD's have a dull, barely noticable white border around them when viewing a black screen while monitor is on.

It's just the backlighting comign through. It's really no big deal.

Are you seeing this white area when viewing your desktop or when you are watching a dark screen when the monitor is still on?
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GoNYIsles · TweakNOOB Joined: 02 Jun 2003 Posts: 60

I only notice it when displaying bright white, such as web page backgrounds. I hope you don't think I'm crazy about this...it's just after spending $ 700, I want to know if this is something I should expect.