Level 1

50 points

What is an acceptable backlight bleeding/leaking? (with photos)

I have recently purchased a 30" Cinema Display on-line from Apple. It has arrived last week and after testing it there seems to be way too much backlight leaking. At least once this screen has shown green cintillating pixels (problem as described elsewhere on the forums here). So this one has gone back for a refund.

Here are the photos taken of a pure black screen in complete darkness (s/n CY63xxUMUG1):
http://www.max3d.com/~amigo/acd/CY63xxUMUG1_e1.jpg
http://www.max3d.com/~amigo/acd/CY63xxUMUG1_e2.jpg (overexposed)

Then, this weekend I went to an Apple Store and purchased another 30" screen (s/n CY61xxUZUG1) and here are the photos from it:
http://www.max3d.com/~amigo/acd/CY61xxUZUG1_e1.jpg
http://www.max3d.com/~amigo/acd/CY61xxUZUG1_e2.jpg (overexposed)

This new screen has a bit less leaking on the sides, but it still has it. The s/n suggests this screen is an older one (made in April 2006) and might not be the refreshed series (higher brightness) which is maybe why the leaking is not as pronounced.

What are the acceptable limits on the backlight bleeding?
Should I return this screen I got from an Apple Store as well and try yet another one?
Is there a "perfect" screen out there that does not have backlight bleeding?
What are your thoughts in general on this issue?

Posted on Aug 14, 2006 7:14 AM

45 replies

Aug 15, 2006 8:00 PM in response to Phil Ta

"...Warming up of the backlight is something real..."

OK maybe a minute or two but still, suggesting that this will resolve manufacturing defects is absurd.

Phil Ta

Level 6

10,400 points

Aug 16, 2006 10:17 PM in response to 3dluvr

Yes, for all LCD panels without a hard plastic layer covering the LCD (which isn't part of the LCD itself) there will be discoloration when you press on the screen.

Aug 21, 2006 3:47 PM in response to Phil Ta

I can confirm this - Dell 24" is excellent

Cyrana

Level 1

25 points

Aug 21, 2006 4:18 PM in response to Roland Reinke

I can confirm this - Dell 24" is excellent

I still argue it is the luck of the draw. 🙂 I've owned both. 😉

The OP in this thread...that final monitor with the backlight 'problems' (try #3) looks fine to me. I've never seen a screen that was any better in terms of backlight (on the non over-exposed image).

Aug 21, 2006 5:27 PM in response to swellfonder

Same here...just exchanged for the 4th 23" ACD...now this one has a lot less bleeding and no stuck pixels. So I'll have to settle for this one...

Mac Pro 2.66GHz Mac OS X (10.4.7) 23" Apple Cinema Display

Aug 22, 2006 12:43 AM in response to bobbyw007

Just received a Dell 24" - no backlight leakage whatsoever. So it can be done...

Aug 22, 2006 10:16 PM in response to 3dluvr

I just got my 23" ACD and if I turn the lights off the bleeding looks similar to the OP's second photo ( http://www.max3d.com/~amigo/acd/CY63xxUMUG1_e1.jpg ). Not as noticeable with the lights on... barely noticeable if I have some windows open on top of the black. Wondering if it's worth replacing. I ordered it online; can I go to my local Apple Store to get a replacement? Is it much of an ordeal? Can I come home with a new one?

I'm also undecided if I detect some pinkish hues towards the top center of the screen... hrm...

Aug 22, 2006 11:23 PM in response to Eli Smith

Looks like this, more or less. -> http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/3940/backlightbleedjf6.jpg

Now that I've noticed it it's really bothering me. I don't think I have any other problems with the display and it was make on week 28 (July). I fear if I try to exchange it I'll end up with an older one.

PowerBook G4 15"/800MHz Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Aug 22, 2006 11:37 PM in response to Eli Smith

That looks worse, by far, than the two I had. I returned them both and never looked at an Apple monitor again.

Aug 23, 2006 12:55 AM in response to Roland Reinke

Tomorrow I'll pick up my MP with a 30" ACD and after all a read here I'm a bit concerned.

I asked many stores in zurich if I can check the display BEFORE I take it home, all but one refused...

The one shop agreed to setup my MP with a brand new 30" without any dead-pixels, which I can check myseld before buying it, but I'm still unsure how to verify if I have a "good one", if I'm unable to test it in complete darkness.

One thing I'll sure do is to display a complette black image, under full backlight-brightness. But are there any other (better?) ways?

One more thing, how can I find out if I have a 30incher with the new, improveds specs?

Any help/suggestion is apprechiated!

3dluvr Author

Level 1

50 points

Aug 23, 2006 5:58 AM in response to NORTHERNLiGHTS

Turn the lights off in the store? 🙂
Seriously though, go there around the closing time. That way there might not be any customers in the store and nicely ask them to check for the backlight bleeding by dimming or turning some/all lights off, or moving a setup to a room where you can do that. Remind them that you are paying $2,000 (or more where you are) for the screen and that you should get a perfectly working screen.

3dluvr Author

Level 1

50 points

Aug 23, 2006 6:02 AM in response to Eli Smith

I would return it and would most likely want to end up with an older one. The image I took was from a screen made in July 2006 and after several exchanges I ended up with a screen made in April or May which still has some backlight bleeding but not as severe as the others I've tried. I have settled for that screen since I did not want to press my luck further by getting a worse screen than the one I found to be decent.

To be honest, I do not believe there is a perfect screen out there and I fully blame Apple for that. For their lax QA policies and most likely cutting production costs, resulting in some terrible assemble practices and lack of serious testing before the items are rolled out of the factories.

Aug 23, 2006 6:57 AM in response to 3dluvr

I hope I can test it in full darkness, but I doubt it... however I'll call and ask for it tomorrow.
Are they any 30" ACD without dead-pixels and backlight-bleeding at all and is there a way to find out what generation a specific 30" ACD is? Maybe through a serial or something?

3dluvr Author

Level 1

50 points

Aug 23, 2006 10:19 AM in response to NORTHERNLiGHTS

The last 30" I got has no dead pixels so far and the bleeding is not so bad either so it's a keeper.

You can check the serial number online from Apple's site (go to Support) and also from here http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html (this one is not Apple endorsed)

Aug 25, 2006 12:07 AM in response to 3dluvr

I have just bought an apple 23 inch display. Sent the first back since it had several dead pixels and the light leakage was incredibly bad. Now on my second - no dead pixels but still bad light leakage, so that's going back too. I will try one more and if that is still bad buy the dell 24 inch which has very good reviews. Not as pretty, but it doesn't seem to have these terrible artifacts.

Den

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What is an acceptable backlight bleeding/leaking? (with photos)