23" Cinema display poor color consistency

I just hooked up my brand new aluminum Apple Cinema HD Display 23 after waiting for weeks for it to arrive. I was pretty disappointed when I immediately noticed the far left and right edges had a dingy yellow tint to them when viewing white windows (such as Finder windows). I also noticed a darker bluish vertical band just to the left of the center when working in LightWave which has a gray background.

So to test the color consistency I then switched the desktop to a medium gray and hid everything else. Sure enough, there was a subtle, but noticeable bluish vertical band about 3" wide just to the left of the center. I then switched the desktop to white and could also see that the far right and left edges were slightly dingy yellow about 2" wide on each side.

I recalibrated the display 2 - 3 times and tested various brightnesses and viewing angles. No matter what I did, the color problems persisted...

I had this $2000 23" Apple HD monitor attached to the Mac with a $400 17" Sony DVI LCD right next to it as a second monitor. The Sony wasn't as good at wide angle viewing, but performing the same gray/white desktop tests showed nice consistent color across the screen. For $2K this HD monitor should have at least as good color consistency as a $400 DVI LCD...

I'd be curious to see how other people's HD 23 monitors hold up with these simple tests. Set your desktop to solid color gray and see how consistent the color holds across the screen. Do the same with solid color white...

Since I run a high end multimedia studio, I need consistent color across the screen. I bought the Apple Cinema display because I thought it was the best I could get...

I packed the monitor up and my associate has just gone to the closest Apple store to see what can be done... I hope this is just an isolated problem that can be quickly resolved. Hopefully I just got a bad monitor and hopefully Apple will just replace it with one with better color consistency...

I'll post the results here...

Thanks,
-MikeS

Posted on Aug 17, 2004 12:15 PM

349 replies

Aug 27, 2004 3:35 PM in response to Michael Scaramozzino

I just got my 23" display and I'm experiencing the same problems. Overall the display is gorgeous, but as a graphic designer I can't work with this kind of color inconsistencies... Hopefully, Apple will soon fix this...

I'm returning my display today before I get attached....At this price, the display needs to be perfect!

Aug 31, 2004 8:54 AM in response to Ying Tan

Based on the two monitors that I had, the bluish area just left of center does not appear to go away (neither do the yellow sides). I've been using this new unit for a week now and the color problems remain...

They are less noticeable than the first unit, but they are still there...

Can anyone out there with a new 23" ACD perform the white/gray desktop tests and see a consistent white/gray across the entire screen? If so, I'll return this one again and hope to get one with better color consistency...

Thanks,
-MikeS

Sep 6, 2004 3:18 AM in response to Michael Scaramozzino

That goes for me too - I had these problems also. I also own a HP dirt cheap 15" LCD - the cheap kind they bundle with stuff. It has NONE of these problems - in fact it works fine. It beats me how you pay TOP dollar for an ACD and get these problems... I'm sure quality control will work it out though. I'm hoping the screen I get sent next will be fine...

Sep 13, 2004 8:12 AM in response to Michael Scaramozzino

It looks like Amazon.com has had too many of the new 23" Apple Cinema Displays returned, that they are now offering full return refunds instead of replacements, as posted to MacFixit...

http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20040910075331631

-MikeS

Sep 16, 2004 11:40 AM in response to Michael Scaramozzino

Yet more reports of color problems with the 23" ACD...

http://www.hardmac.com/niouzcontenu.php?date=2004-09-16#2862

-MikeS

Rob Ho

Level 1

0 points

Sep 17, 2004 7:46 AM in response to Michael Scaramozzino

Hey Mike,

I totally hear what you're saying. I just bought mine this week and to my surprise I'm getting the same problems...although I believe mine "might not" be as severe as your first monitor. Nevertheless, I can still see a yellowish tint against a white background on the left side and fortunately for now, that is actually my biggest issue. It is very disappointing and annoying.

It's really sad we're all on here discussing about this on a $2K display($3K for me in Canada). My question is I don't really see this problem going away(judging from all ongoing complaints I'm reading), but should I risk exchanging this for another one - which could turn out even worst like your first one?! My first choice is just to return it and get my money back if possible....has anyone had any success?

Rob

p.s. I can't believe I'm gonna say this, but I already miss my 19" CRT monitor.

Sep 17, 2004 8:31 AM in response to Rob Ho

Hi Rob,

I haven't returned my second monitor yet, because I doubt that the replacement would be any better. Instead I've come here to see how many others are having the same problems and/or if anyone has any new 23" ACD monitors that don't have these problems...

If these monitors are "in spec" then the "spec" needs to be tightened up.

My guess at this point is that those that aren't complaining, just haven't noticed the problems since I've yet to see one without these problems. Though as I've said before, some are worse than others... Depending on the type of work you do, the subtle color shifts may or may not cause grief... and for those who aren't graphics professionals, they may not even be noticed...

Apple touts these monitors specifically for their supposedly supperior color, edge to edge... I really don't think they even come close to the marketing yet.

I'm kind of hoping that the early batches of these monitors just had issues that may be worked out on subsequent batches... I really do like the monitor and my only complaint is with these color shifts... So I'm waiting a little while before attempting to return this second monitor... Maybe by then, with enough of us pointing out the problems, maybe Apple will be able to do something about it.

I've been a very big Apple supporter since 1984, and I still am. I'm not trying to raise a stink about this for any reason other than to help them realize and remedy the problem. I really do hope that they can resolve these color issues with what otherwise would be a gorgeous display...

-MikeS

Sep 17, 2004 12:35 PM in response to Rob Ho

I have had three of these monitors; the original order and two replacements. All three monitors had the color consistency problems. Mainly the left 2-3" of the screen would turn greys pink and wash out other colors. I just received the third one yesterday. I turned it on, immediately saw the problem and called up Apple. Each time I called it got a little bit harder to convince them I was having the same problems. To Apple's credit they have always been extremely nice and willing to help fix this situation.

I was within 30 days of my original purchase so I didn't have too much difficulty getting my money back. I felt that after trying three monitors, and all of them showing the same problems, I needed to just get my money back. This last call to Apple one tech support guy tried to blame everything from a bad video card (I plugged these into my powerbook to compare the look to the powermac it is normally plugged into), to me just not knowing what I'm looking at (he wanted know if I had seen any in the Apple store. Sorry, when grey looks pink on one side of the screen and not the other, something is wrong). He wanted me to provide him a picture and I just referred him to these discussion boards for pictures of the problems I'm experiencing.

Long story short, if you really want this Apple monitor then you can continue to get replacements. I gave up, I have too much to do to continually have to replace these monitors. I don't see this getting fixed for months, or maybe not at all since supposedly it is in "spec."

Oh, and if you decide to return it for your money back don't let them bully you into paying a restocking fee on a defective monitor.

Rob Ho

Level 1

0 points

Sep 17, 2004 1:08 PM in response to Michael Scaramozzino

Hey Mike,

That's actually a good idea - waiting if and when there's a new batch of 23"s. I think I'll probably do the same because for now I'll see what I can do to make any improvements. Exchanging for a new one now will make minimal difference.

Do you know of any 3rd party calibration softwares that might help with the colors shift?

Keep us posted on any news.

Rob

Rob Ho

Level 1

0 points

Sep 17, 2004 5:28 PM in response to Matthew Cooper

Hey Mathew

So you had no problems getting your full money back?? Hmm, that's my first choice.

I already told the store where I bought mine I intend to return it instead if I could. I'm supposed to call back on Monday when the technician guy will double check it and decide. Hopefully I can return it since I just bought it like 3 days ago. I think for me to keep exchanging it would be a waste.

Sep 19, 2004 12:31 PM in response to Rob Ho

If you want to purchase the defective 23" Cinema monitor, your safest bet is to purchase it through a retailer like CompUSA that can offer you a LCD warranty that covers any problems via replacement. Pink shift is a well-known problem in all defective LCDs, as is uneven backlight, so you won't have to argue with Apple's techs about what they "think". Unfortunately, the stock Apple warranty has been known to be good to some people and bad to others, as they are all over the map on the actual terms of what equals a replacement/repair, it seems to change daily/regionally. the 3rd party warranty costs more but it is worth doing if you are sure this monitor isn't good enough for you as-is. (and frankly for any graphics people it just ISN'T at this point in time.)

It actually seems silly to buy it knowing it's defective, but I can certainly identify with the need to own this display; it's truly a shame that it isn't what it "looks" like it is.

If I didn't have a need to use this display in a workstation that requires a lightweight arm attachment, I'd return it and get a nice CRT.

Justin G

Level 1

5 points

Sep 21, 2004 6:47 PM in response to Michael Scaramozzino

I just tried everything that you guys mentioned (I previosly noticed the pink hue), though I placed my 12" iBook (Dec '03) next to the 23" Cinema and I was surprised, the only way the 23 beats the 12 is with it's brightness and contrast ratio, other wise the pink hue, horrible backlighting, and the yellowish corners shouldn't be on a $1999 display!

Sep 21, 2004 9:33 PM in response to Michael Scaramozzino

Hi all,

I am just wondering, another option is to look out for remaining stock of the old 23inch display? It sounds like that's working better than the new one, even though there are a number of superior specs on the new display. I am just wondering if anyone of you have the old and the new 23inch side by side, and is the brightness difference not a significant issue if one ops for the older display.

robin

Sep 22, 2004 11:54 AM in response to Michael Scaramozzino

I was about to buy two 23" monitors for a FCP rig that I'm setting up when I first heard about possible issues with the new 23" monitors. Well, I just went to the store at lunch today to have my first in-person view of the new 23" monitors.

When I walked up to the screen which had a swirling graphic background I couldn't notice and color shift, but I had the salesperson put up a solid color for the full screen and then I could see the difference toward the edges.

About 1-1/2" from both the left and right sides it was shifting to a different shade. I told the salesperson that I had read about issues with the new 23" monitors and it was news to him. But once we put the solid color on the screen, he even admitted he noticed it. It wasn't horribly bad like being unuseable, but it was not a consistent color from edge to edge which I would like for doing video and photo work. And for nearly $2k each, it SHOULD be perfect.

rrrrrr..... I really wanted this 23" monitor, but I'm not about to shuck out that much cash for something I won't be happy with.

The 20" seemed ok, and noticeably brighter than the older plastic 20" model that was set up right next to it.

The store did have two older plastic version 23" in stock yet.....

Sep 22, 2004 12:02 PM in response to Todd Hoffman

I hear ya',

I'm in a bit of a dilemma,

I really love the monitor, but the color shift (on my replacement) appears to be getting worse over time now... particularly the pink and blue bands on the left side of the screen are becoming more noticeable over time...

I'd bring it back right now, but I don't have any confidence that another replacement would be any better. I'd try to swap it for the older 23", but I really like the new pedestal much better than the old easel base... as well as the usb-2 and firewire...

I'm kind of dragging my feet, hoping that Apple will be able to solve the problems and let us know...

What about it Apple? Any luck making the color more consistent on these monitors, or is this as good as they are going to get?

-MikeS

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23" Cinema display poor color consistency