Dell 2408WFP Problems

[pxl8]

Hi,

I'd be interested in hearing opinions on my newly purchased 2408 and the quality of the display, I've got 3 images to show you.

Firstly, here's the original shot taken in a darkened room, no flash used.

As you can see I've indicated the brightness level from the colour picker in photoshop for the two sides of the screen. The panel was displaying a flat, mid-grey image when the photo was taken. The problem is more obvious on a darker grey but I thought it fair to use a mid grey for the example.

Next, I selected just the panel region, ran a blur filter and auto levels to better demonstrate the uneven nature of the backlight.

Finally, a crop of just the panel still blurred again but this time I increased the saturation to 100% to show the uneven nature of the colour.

So, do you think the amount of variation is acceptable or would you say I've got a duff unit? It's not hard to guess that the retailer says it's not faulty and I don't agree but I'd be interested to hear what you guys think?

 

[makebelieve]

I think it is unacceptable, but depends on your usage of the screen. I would return it, if you are still within the time for returns. I returned two Dells within the 7 days they give you. Just say you are unhappy with them, in fact dont even mention the fault - once I did, they kept throwing me at the technicians and I was going back and forth like a tennis ball, until I went nuts on one of them and talked to the manager.

 

[AndyOcUK]

To be honest, IMO if your that serious about image quality you should have bought a professional grade monitor aimed at graphic design workers.

 

[cataferal]

I've heard of similar problems ith the 2408, and I wouldn't doubt your eligibility to apply for a replacement.

Question is, how certain are you that you won't end up with another unit showcasing the same problems? You seem to be quite tech savvy, and evidently appreciate good colour/gamma consistency - so maybe vieing for different monitor sltogether might be the best bet. It's likely you'll end up with a defect-free 2408 after a few replacements, but it's a hassle, isn't it?

 

[pxl8]

In terms of good colour for graphic/photo work the 2408 or any wide gamut monitor is a non-starter. Once calibrated to sRGB you just get lots of banding because you're dumping the top 40 odd shades of a hue.

But the 2408 wasn't bought for that, it was for gaming/movies/web/etc. and would be used by the kids more than anyone. But use aside I don't think it's unreasonable for the screen to have more consistent luma than the one I got. As I said, the retailer found no fault and returned it to me. Dell said it was faulty and offered to replace it but as you've pointed out I don't want a ticket in the 2408 lottery which is why I returned it for a refund in the first place - I was also denied a refund under DSR because it had been shipped to a company address, how daft is that?

Seems legal action is the next stop to get this sorted

 

[AndyOcUK]

In terms of good colour for graphic/photo work the 2408 or any wide gamut monitor is a non-starter.

So why are you testing so stringently then? Your technical knowledge of image quality/ photographic work and monitors is clearly huge. I can't believe the fact that you freely admit that the monitor was destined to fail miserably in the tests you have subjected it to, and then moan about the disappointing results. Especially when you state that it is NOT going to be used to a level befitting said tests. Its almost as good as buying a budget graphics card and complaining that it won't run crysis @ 1920 X 1200 with all settings on ultra high.

I understand that the lights and darks aren't as good as they should be and, if its faulty, I hope it gets sorted for you. There is such a thing as the right tool for the job, and in that respect I think your testing was way over the top for a sub £500 panel TBH.

.....Seems legal action is the next stop to get this sorted

Oh please.....

 

[AndyOcUK]

Duplicate *Mods please delete*

 

[pxl8]

So why are you testing so stringently then?

Stringent? How so? I didn't check the luma at 30 odd places with a high end calibrator as is done in some reviews. I simply took a photo to demonstrate a problem here rather than describe it. It comes down to a simple question. Is it reasonable to expect a monitor costing £400 to be 50% brighter on the left than the right? I originally spent more on Dell because they had a reputation as a good brand. The model I replaced the Dell with has none of these problems and is a fair bit cheaper.

The monitor I use for colour accurate work was cheaper still but calibrates to within a whisker of perfect under the most "stringent" of tests.

As for legal action, having ignored my rights under the SoGA and/or DSR the retailer hasn't left me much choice.

 

[AndyOcUK]

.......Is it reasonable to expect a monitor costing £400 to be 50% brighter on the left than the right?

Definitely - couldn't tell that clearly from the pictures - credit where due, and my apologies

.......As for legal action, having ignored my rights under the SoGA and/or DSR the retailer hasn't left me much choice.

To be fair - it used to state clearly in the DSR that shipments to businesses are not covered but I've just had a quick browse and found no such statement. The argument used to be over business use but you could argue it was in your name and was merely a different shipping address. Looks like they have been ammended because they used to even cover software....EVEN if you'd opened it

http://www.oft.gov.uk/advice_and_resources/resource_base/legal/distance-selling-regulations/

 

[pxl8]

Trading standards said the key point about the DSR and consumer/business was the intended use and pointed me to the following definition of a consumer:

"any person who, in buying something to which the DSRs apply, is acting for purposes that are outside their business"

They expanded on that and said that would include purchase made using company credit cards/cheques as long as the buyer has acted as a consumer. They also said they'd take a dim view of any retailer trying to wriggle out the rights the DSR provide a consumer and have, in the past, taken over the legal action for consumers who've had their rights trampled on.

I've know idea when it changed, TS didn't mention it was a new thing. On a related note, did you know that the ISO standard for dead pixels was withdrawn in November?

 

[RoEy]

On a related note, did you know that the ISO standard for dead pixels was withdrawn in November?

About time!

RoEy