Display of dark images/video

Well, upon further review and testing, I have to admit, the screen is not as good as I would have liked. It is not much worse than my PSP or my Archos, but it definitely does not do the best of jobs with blacks. However, for portable device I think it falls within acceptable bounds. I'd like to do a side by side comparison with the iPhone, but I don't know anyone who has one. I have checked all the threads and pics of other users comparisons, but I prefer to hold final judgement until I see it with my own eyes. Sorry I jumped the gun earlier, must have been the high I was on due to just getting the device. 🙂

I have just returned from my local AppleStore (Indianapolis) and the guys at the genius bar said I was the first touch they had seen in person. They agreed with me that were was something wrong with my touches display of dark photos and dark/black videos. They said there was no way it was a hardware issue and that in their guess Apple would release an update eventually to fix the problem. I pushed it a little bit more and they were willing to give me another touch but had just sold the last one they had in stock.


Russell

Just finished talking to my friend who got the iPod touch today at 3 PM [EST]. When he called them at 10AM they said they had 5 left and that there would be a new batch of a couple hundred arriving at 2 so when he went he got it. Then he took it home, watched some videos he said the black was flawless and so was the device itself. So, it looks like the newer batches are better.

How odd i called them (in Indy) an hour ago and they said they had none....this all situation *****. Apple is getting on my nerves.

Hi guys. I'm the person who posted the high resolution images being linked to here (the ones hosted at Comcast by audi-fan).

The situation with the display on the device is disappointing (especially considering that it's a $400 device). I get the impression that there are multiple versions of the display being used, and unfortunately many of us are getting one that is nowhere near as good as what is on the iPhone.

When I bought the iPod Touch I specifically asked the Store Manager about exchanges in the event it had a bad screen, since I had read some early reports of it on Gizmodo, etc. He told me that people always over react when a new Apple product launches and he doubted it was a real issue. Look at the pictures I took (linked earlier in this thread) and tell me if it's over-reacting to be disappointed in a screen that won't even let you watch a movie without having a washed out picture?

I plan on talking to the Store Manager again this evening and demonstrating the problem to him. Maybe he can reserve a replacement for me, etc. I would hate to have to return what appears to be a defective product and pay a restocking fee or have to send it off to Apple for a refurb replacement when I just got the device a few hours ago today.

A buddy has posted the story about this over at Slashdot as a new article submission in the 'firehose'. I would advise anyone interested in getting Apple's attention on this to vote up the story.

http://slashdot.org/firehose.pl?op=view&id=288871

There is no way this can be considered normal, tomorrow I have my own appointment, and when I get there, I will ask for a replacement, and if the replacement has the same issues, I will then ask for a refund with no restocking fee, because my iPod has the same issues as yours, and with dark movies unwatchable on it, that is pathetic.

Hi,
I just picked up my iPod Touch today and I have the same problem as everyone here. The blacks/dark colors go "negative" if viewed straight on. If I hold the iPod tilted back to the left it seems to get better at the expense of the other colors.

I am viewing "The Incredibles" scene 8 if anyone wants to look at it. I hope this is a software problem, but I really doubt it. I may wait a few days and go back to the Apple store and see if I can get an exchange.

It's a hassle, but in the grand scheme of things I think I'll live. Worse case, I'll just return it and hope it gets resolved at some point.

Other than that I really like this device. It's my first iPod. The web and YouTube are awesome. The interface is just incredible. A year ago did you think this was even possible? I sure didn't. Unfortunately, this glitch is a deal breaker if its not fixed. Hopefully I just got one of the "bad batch".

Thanks for listening.

Odd thing. My touch ran out of juice a little bit ago and ever since I've been unable to replicate the most severe poor display of blacks. Before there was one particular scene that it really went "negative". It it bad now but not as much. Very odd.

I can confirm that I am having the same problem. hopefully Apple releases a firmware update to fix this ASAP.

Does Apple EVER do full-credit refunds when a product is unsatisfactory?? I've always found their stores very hard-nosed, which is why I'm glad I bought one of our Minis at Amazon because i was able to get a complete refund a few weeks after purchase when gen 2 Mini's came out. the big deal there was that the battery life was much improved on gen 2.

Funny. I called the Indy Apple store around 1:00pm EST and they told me they had quite a few 16gb in stock. I finally got up there a few hours later and they were already sold out. I was upset that I could get there any sooner, but after reading this, maybe it was good luck. I am pretty anal about stuff like this. I already have to deal with a 3rd Gen Nano that has crooked screen tomorrow.

That is great news, I am excited about my morning appointment tomorrow then.

"think I'm happy" is generally a euphemism for "I don't want to pursue the issue any more, so i'll live with it as is".

I will wait until this battery runs down and see if that "resets" anything.

Btw... I am replying to this post with the iPod. How cool is that? LOL