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

Oct 27, 2004 5:00 PM in response to Michael Scaramozzino

You can add me to the list of people who have the same problem (slightly yellowish left hand edge with white, slightly pinkish left hand edge with grey). My center and right hand edge seem fine though. Perhaps I'm "lucky" enough to have one of the lesser degrees of the problem.

In my case it definitely appeared gradually over time (approx 1 month). I tested the screen quite thoroughly when I first bought it (no dead pixels BTW), as well as calibrating it with a proper calibration device for a variety of target situations etc. At that time I didn't notice any problems. I'm fairly sure I would not have missed this issue during those tests. But now, doing the same tests, it's definitely visible.

In my case it's not an absolute show-stopper situation, and in some ways I'd rather keep a screen with this problem than switch to one with a dead pixel. All screens have imperfections of one kind or another, and this is a relatively minor one for me. Unless this problem continues to get worse, of course...

Oct 27, 2004 7:51 PM in response to thecatz

Jes, dot's right...no trawble...gew are jast too packy about deese tings...

DD

Oct 27, 2004 8:39 PM in response to Michael Scaramozzino

My monitor (purchased new, soon after they were available at an apple store) has the yellow edges problem. The gray test doesn't show anything drastic (possibly something subtle, but subtle enough that i may or may not be seeing it 🙂... The dark edges are definitely there though.

Steve said something like "Apple rejects the displays that other companies ship"... I hope they make this issue right. I work with several of these displays at work (as well as 20 inch models). tomorrow i'll take a look at them and see if i see the same issue(s).

Oct 28, 2004 12:53 AM in response to Michael Scaramozzino

Here is a good one for you all. Go to System Preferences and select Appearance and Font Smoothing. Select:

Medium "BEST" For Flat Panel, turn off Text Smoothing for four and smaller. Re-boot and open up a document with fonts 8 or smaller or make a document in Word and put some LLLL in small caps and see what you get.

I get a blue tinge around l's and i's.

Hmmm. After reading the reviews on ZDNet and reading the discussions I am really angry I did not research this purchase better. I still have options though. Thank GOD!

William

Oct 28, 2004 11:37 AM in response to William Rivas

God? I thought God worked for Apple...

DD

Oct 28, 2004 3:28 PM in response to Michael Scaramozzino

My company purchased two of the displays. Both are showing the color problems, mostly the pink tint to the left on a gray background. Irritating.

Oct 28, 2004 3:49 PM in response to Michael Scaramozzino

Sick Sick Sick,

Got rid of the SECOND 23" "Pink Panther"!

The 20" is MUCH BETTER.

Too bad, I really wanted more real estate but I will not pay top dollar for low quality...

William

Nov 17, 2004 9:31 AM in response to William Rivas

William, you've had your 20" now for a few weeks...

Is it still better than the 23" was as far as color issues?
Any sign of pink, yellow or blue problems?

I haven't returned my second 23" screen yet since I'm waiting to see if the 23" issues will be resolved (or even acknowledged). If not, I may also downgrade to the 20"...

Thanks,
-MikeS

Nov 17, 2004 10:05 PM in response to Michael Scaramozzino

I have had exactly the same colour problems as 'donnyb's very accurate images of his 23 ACD on my 1st and 2nd brand new aluminum Apple Cinema HD Display 23's. 1st one had 15 dead pixels, 12 in one group, got it replaced by Apple Australia in one day after spending most of the day on the phone to AA. The fact that I work for the Australian Federal Government may have helped and that all my work involves graphics, photography and video editing.
2nd one had no dead pixels but same poor colour consistency problem as the first one and as described in the very accurate posts read here.
Our Australian supplied 23 ACD's are assembled in China... may be the same for the rest of the world but I think for a A$3500 display Apple needs to admit that it has a problem and fix it now.
Cheers, Bob

Nov 18, 2004 10:34 AM in response to Michael Scaramozzino

I don't think returning any current ACD 23" screens at this point in time will resolve the issue since you'll most likely just get another one that's the same, like myself and others have... I haven't seen ANY 23" ACD's, YET, without these color problems.

However, I have been an avid, active Apple customer, user, advocate (and even periodic stock holder) since 1984 when I bought my first Mac, and I still am!

Apple has always designed and built superior products, period. They have also always stood behind their products, though sometimes it understandably takes a while to acknowledge, accept and finally resolve certain manufacturing issues.

These color issues most likely have been caused by faulty components (LCD/Backlight units) that they don't make themselves... Therefore it may take time to either find another supplier and/or redesign the 23" monitor to incorporate a fix for this issue. This issue seems to me similar in range and ramifications to the "white spots" issues that arose on the first 15" aluminum PowerBooks... It took time for Apple to acknowledge, isolate and resolve that issue, but they finally did what was right. They fixed the issue and then offered an extended warranty for all those affected. I sincerely believe (and hope) they will do the same thing here, but it does take time...

All I can say for those affected is to report your problems to Apple, to be sure that they are aware of exactly how widespread this issue is, but do it constructively... and then have some patience...

I do believe Apple will fix this and offer an extended warranty repair for all of us "early adopters" of the Aluminum ACD 23...

The only suggestion I would make to Apple though (if they are reading this forum), would be to much more quickly, publicly acknowledge that some owners have reported such issues, that Apple is aware of the issues and is actively working on a solution... At least alert all your Tech Support Geniuses of the problems so that every owner doesn't have to hit blank stares and waste time convincing the Geniuses of the issues... That in and of itself would quickly diffuse and keep issues like these from spinning out of control and generating bad press (and hard feelings from customers who may feel ignored)... which it looks like this issue is starting to do...

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=19727

http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/index.html#S18294

-MikeS

Nov 30, 2004 4:25 PM in response to Michael Scaramozzino

I have the same problem that many over people have described. Very PINK out of the box, but managed to get rid of this with calibration. The big problem is the dirty yellow band on the left hand side and general bad colour consistency.

Apple are clearly aware of the issue but at the moment are refusing to publicly recognise it.

I am on my second 23" display now, it has the same problem as the first one. I have been trying to sort this out with Apple for 3 months now but it now looks like I have hit a brick wall. The lady at customer services told me that all the 23" displays do not have perfect colour consistency and and some issues with de-saturation of colour at the edges. She then went on to say the displays are perfect and pass the Apple tests. I was then told the 23" display has different test to pass than the 20" or 30" display. mmm.

I have been advised by Apple to buy a different display if I need more accurate colour.

I was also told that it was unlikely that I could have a full refund.

Apple PLEASE think about this issue. I have spent 2000 of hard earned money.

My only hope is that they do fix this problem and then offer me and everyone else a replacement. I very much doubt it. I am so angry and upset about this issue. I have never had a problem like this with any other company. If a product is faulty it gets fixed or I get the money back.

Well, lets see how long this post survives. My last one was deleted after lasting about 3 hours. Apple. Please do not delete this. this is not just a rant but a serious issue. If this is deleted then it says allot about the company.

Dec 1, 2004 4:37 AM in response to Michael Scaramozzino

Hi

I'm adding my post here because every other thread that I have posted to has been deleted!

I'm on my second 23" ACD, and although it exhibits the same problems ( 3-4" washed out left hand side, pink tint) I am reluctant to carry on playing catch with delivery men..

I absolutely think that this is a sub-standard item, and will be shocked if Apple do not take steps to rectify the problem. I just dont want to send this one back until there is some sign that the problem has been addressed. I dont want to have to buy a Sony monitor..

Dan

Dec 1, 2004 5:27 AM in response to Michael Scaramozzino

Hi there,
I'm adding my post for the same reason (previous post has been deleted).
After 7 days of use, I can clearly see a yellow gradient (on both sides), and have an horrible ghosting whenever I leave high-contrast documents (like black text on white BG) on screen for more than 5 mins.
I hope Apple will do something to change this bad situation, of course I hope this message won't be deleted, because this is not a good way to deal with customers.

Manuele

Dec 1, 2004 12:12 PM in response to Michael Scaramozzino

I am a professional hi-end color retoucher and have been battling on my own with this uneven color, pinker and
brighter on the sides. I thought it was just me until yesterday when I took the monitor to the Apple store and another customer saw my box and remarked Oh you must have the pink problem.
I demonstrated the problem to the Genius guy who agreed that he could see the color shifts from center to sides.
I used a 50% gray filled 8in PhotoShop document and slowly moved it across the screen.
I have already set this monitor back to Apple once and had it returned to me with the comment that the color was within Apple specifications.
The SoHo Apple Store said they would send it in for repair. One week later the momitor returned with no repair and as uneven color as before.

I have tried to calibrate this monitor with the Eye One hardware device.
Depending on where I place the device completely different profiles are created based on the uneven color.
I have work in many shops on the clear 23in. The problem is not present there.

This is a very SERIOUS ISSUE!!
I want to get what I paid for!
Below is a quote from Apples own promo pdf

Consistently accurate colors. Supports a
wide color gamut; maintains true color from
edge to edge and over time;

PLEASE HELP ME APPLE!!!

P.S. 10.3.6 did not help!
Malcolm Turk
malcolm@flickerinc.com

Dec 1, 2004 6:36 PM in response to Michael Scaramozzino

I was shopping for this same display back in August and Sept. when I read all the posts here about color problems.
Now the letters are still the same 3 months later.....I have problems and Apple isn't helping.
I am so glad I bought the Viewsonic Pro series p225f. Ok it's a big, heavy crt but the colors are perfect.

Good luck all.

David

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23" Cinema display poor color consistency