Cinema Displays (LCDs) gritty?

[decksnap]

OK- so I just got my new 20 inch Cinema Display, and I'm trying to figure out if I have a problem or if they're all this way... When compared to a CRT monitor, the screen is very gritty. When I look at an area of solid color, it is not smooth like on my CRTs. It is a little hard to explain, but it looks dirty and pixelly. It appears to be on the surface of the screen, as this pattern remains still as I slide elements around underneath it.

I am running at native resolution-through my brand new dual G5, so I'm wondering is this just how LCDs are? I've read that perhaps it has something to do with the anti-glare coating on the surface of the screen.

I don't know, but I am thinking of returning this and picking up a Lacie CRT or something. Even looking at the standard Tiger desktop, it has the effect of a badly compressed jpeg when looked at closely. Any insights?

 

[klaus]

OK- so I just got my new 20 inch Cinema Display, and I'm trying to figure out if I have a problem or if they're all this way... When compared to a CRT monitor, the screen is very gritty. When I look at an area of solid color, it is not smooth like on my CRTs. It is a little hard to explain, but it looks dirty and pixelly. It appears to be on the surface of the screen, as this pattern remains still as I slide elements around underneath it.

I am running at native resolution-through my brand new dual G5, so I'm wondering is this just how LCDs are? I've read that perhaps it has something to do with the anti-glare coating on the surface of the screen.

I don't know, but I am thinking of returning this and picking up a Lacie CRT or something. Even looking at the standard Tiger desktop, it has the effect of a badly compressed jpeg when looked at closely. Any insights?

Are you sure all the video settings are correct? Try taking a picture of it. Are the colors set to "millions"? in the pref panel?

 

[decksnap]

I do have the colors set to millions- believe me, I checked- I don't believe that a screen grab will capture the phenomenon, but I haven't tried that yet. Unfortunately I'm at the office right now (On my Lacie 22) and can't do it now.

I have a sneaking suspicion that this is just how they are... I don't have a lot of LCD experience, although I did check out a few of the Apple laptops around the office today and didn't notice the effect I'm getting on my display. Is it possible I have the contrast too high? It's like, if I sat far enough away, I wouldn't notice it, but I can't read text at the native resolution from much of a distance... and if I change the resolution, well it just looks like crap. (Unlike CRTs)

 

[drison]

I do have the colors set to millions- believe me, I checked- I don't believe that a screen grab will capture the phenomenon, but I haven't tried that yet. Unfortunately I'm at the office right now (On my Lacie 22) and can't do it now.

I have a sneaking suspicion that this is just how they are... I don't have a lot of LCD experience, although I did check out a few of the Apple laptops around the office today and didn't notice the effect I'm getting on my display. Is it possible I have the contrast too high? It's like, if I sat far enough away, I wouldn't notice it, but I can't read text at the native resolution from much of a distance... and if I change the resolution, well it just looks like crap. (Unlike CRTs)

It's most likely the anti-glare coating you are seeing. Some of the higher resolution lcd's can exhibit almost a "sand" effect. If this is your first high res lcd then it may just be that you weren't expecting it. Of course, if you think it is extreme, you should have it looked at by a professional.

-Dave

 

[decksnap]

If it IS the anti-glare, I'm amazed there is not more discussion of this on the web. I can't seem to find much talk of the grittiness.

 

[Dont Hurt Me]

Dont want to sound stupid but did you turn up the brightness?

 

[billyergs]

What Video Card are you using?

 

[decksnap]

It am using the standard card that came with the Dual 2.3- I believe the Radeon 9800?

I will play with it some more I guess... Just thought someone else might be able to corroborate what I'm seeing.

 

[billyergs]

Have you updated your driver from ATI?

 

[decksnap]

Nope- I can look into that- thanks. Although you would think with a brand new computer like this it would have the right driver, no?

 

[_pb_boi]

FWIW, my 20in is smooth as a babys bum.

andy.

 

[billyergs]

I have an ATI x800 and text looked really grainy on my lcd so I updated the driver from ATI. Then went into system preferences > ATI displays and click on Detect Displays. After the screen flashes the text problem is fixed.

Now my problem is figuring out how to do this automatcally at startup because text looks bad again whenever I restart.

 

[decksnap]

Well basically it's the effect of like if you had a dirty CRT. I can see that when I move stuff around, the 'gritty' texture of the screen stays in one place on top of what's on my screen.

Damnit I forgot to take a picture. Looks like I'm headed to the Apple store this weekend to compare. I guess I should have done that to begin with.

 

[risc]

FWIW, my 20in is smooth as a babys bum.

andy.

I have 2 hooked up to a Radeon 9800 XT and I'd agree.

 

[patseguin]

I have an ATI x800 and text looked really grainy on my lcd so I updated the driver from ATI. Then went into system preferences > ATI displays and click on Detect Displays. After the screen flashes the text problem is fixed.

Now my problem is figuring out how to do this automatcally at startup because text looks bad again whenever I restart.

I didn't know there was an update x800 drive from Ati. I thought Apple released those with the OS.

 

[_pb_boi]

I have 2 hooked up to a Radeon 9800 XT and I'd agree.

Oh yeah? Well my dads bigger than your dad!

Hehe jk - but yeh seriously mate, I don't think any 'grittiness' is normal, and I wouldn't tolerate it in any monitor, let alone an ACD.

andy.

 

[jrv3034]

Well basically it's the effect of like if you had a dirty CRT. I can see that when I move stuff around, the 'gritty' texture of the screen stays in one place on top of what's on my screen.

Just a thought... Is your LCD screen dirty? Have you tried using a screen cleaning wipe thingy? Other than that, I can't think of anything else.

Get it checked out at an Apple store.

 

[goodwill]

Hey, just a question........

Do you have an Apple Store anywhere nearby you that you could possibly get to and take a look at their same LCD's and compare it to yours. If not, I also recommend taking a screen shot of it and posting it up.

 

[hob]

I must say - i'm in a similar situation to the original poster - I hadn't really thought much of it - and just thought I should put my glasses on but there's is a slight grainy quality to my 20" ACD... it's not terrible, and probably less severe that what the original poster described - just thought I'd say "me too" (gotta get the ol' post count up )

 

[decksnap]

I just now took a peak at someone's 17 inch iMac G5- Their screen seems to show the same phenomenon, altough I believe it to be a bit less severe. I am thinking this is just how they are. Werrr! Time to get a big fat CRT.

 

[Sedulous]

I'm fairly certain when I got my 23" ACD it had a peel-off plastic layer for shipping (though, I could be confusing it with something else). I know that is sort of obvious but you know, half the time people call tech support cause they forgot to plug in the device.

 

[aussie_geek]

Have you updated your driver from ATI?

Not needed - Apple has graphics card drivers supplied with the OS. You should never try to install another type - even if it is from the ATI site.


aussie_geek