IPS monitor backlight bleed

robertasc · 1 Nov 2017 at 09:31

Hi,

Recently I've got myself a new shiny monitor(ViewSonic XG2703-GS). I haven't really got any experience in terms of monitors, so wanted to ask more knowledgeable members about backlight bleed.

I know IPS exhibit a "glow" when looked at different angles of the screen, but it's not supposed to be permanent, but shift depending on the angle. I have two spots on my screen where it just stays.

From what I've read a lot of people have similar problems, so is it worth it for me to keep returning the screen until I have no backlight bleed on it at all(is that even possible?), or is it just something IPS monitors have by default and I should just be happy it's not worse..?

I wanted to include pictures, but my camera exaggerates the effect, it's not as bad as it looked in the picture.

MrRockliffe · 1 Nov 2017 at 09:51

Backlight bleed will only be around the edges of the screen - are you able to get any pictures of it, even if exaggerated?

Quartz · 1 Nov 2017 at 10:56

Many monitors ship in a shop mode with the contrast or brightness or both turned right up. Make sure they're turned down.

Gimpymoo · 1 Nov 2017 at 11:15

It is just how the tech works.

IPS Glow is something else to consider.

Sure, you can switch monitors, might get better, might get worse.

If the monitor does what you want, be happy

If no, return it.

aatu · 1 Nov 2017 at 15:58

If it's staying in one place, even when looking at it from a straight angle, then it's indeed not IPS glow.

But like MrRockliffe stated, backlight bleed is usually only visible in edges and corners. If it's on edges/corners, then yes, it's most probably backlight bleed. But on the contrary, if you have lighter blotches in somewhere else, then there's probably something wrong with the diffuser film, instead. (not very common, though)

But like Quartz said, many monitors are shipped with brightness and contrast cranked up to eleven, which exaggerates the flaws. IIRC, the recommended luminance for a computer monitor for a "regular" viewing distance in a normal room lighting is about 120-150 cd/m2. Most monitors can go over 300 cd/m2. You should first try calibrating the monitor with a naked eye, for example with http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/ tools. After you're done, see how the image now looks.

As for keep returning the screens, if the flaw is still grave enough:
When you return the screen, there's a chance you'll receive either a refurbished unit, or another returnee (which probably had its own reasons for the return !). I would personally ask about the retailer's policy, and if there is indeed a chance for a used monitor coming back, then simply return it as unwanted (assuming you are still under the "trial" period). This is probably better for both you and the retailer.

If you want more reading on the matter, check this:
http://www.eizo.com.tw/support/wp/pdf/wp_06-001A.pdf

EsaT · 1 Nov 2017 at 16:27

Quartz said:
Many monitors ship in a shop mode with the contrast or brightness or both turned right up. Make sure they're turned down.

Contrast should be kept relatively high, because that affects to brightness difference between monitor's "black" and "white".
But brightness should be lowered lot (unless in very bright environment) because that's what ultimately sets limit for how good monitor's black can be.

MrRockliffe said:
Backlight bleed will only be around the edges of the screen - are you able to get any pictures of it, even if exaggerated?

In LCDs backlight always bleeds by some amount everywhere in screen.
That's simply "feature" of LCDs, because LCD matrix can't block all of backlight.
So called "uniformity" can then cause blotchyness because of variance in backlight and LCD matrix.

Evian · 1 Nov 2017 at 17:21

I have my ViewSonic at 20 brightness, Too bright over 25 imo, All the IPS screens are the same right now... Gaming monitors anyway.

robertasc · 1 Nov 2017 at 19:41

Thanks for the information and help guys! I've read more about people with IPS screens and it just seems it is what is or just go for TN panel. In all honesty it doesn't really bother me, just don't want to have a feeling that I bought a faulty product and am sticking with it.
I've got pretty low brightness(35/100), as you said it's much too high out of the box. I think I'll just stick with it, I don't think I could go back to my old screen either way after using this one

Added a screenshot just for sake of it, ignore the right hand side as the camera just makes it look awful, it's a nightmare to capture it properly on the camera, but you can see it on the bottom left side of the screen.

https://imgur.com/a/Zcjuc

MrRockliffe · 2 Nov 2017 at 11:01

EsaT said:
Contrast should be kept relatively high, because that affects to brightness difference between monitor's "black" and "white".
But brightness should be lowered lot (unless in very bright environment) because that's what ultimately sets limit for how good monitor's black can be.

In LCDs backlight always bleeds by some amount everywhere in screen.
That's simply "feature" of LCDs, because LCD matrix can't block all of backlight.
So called "uniformity" can then cause blotchyness because of variance in backlight and LCD matrix.

Backlight bleed is where the edge lighting bleeds through the bezels. It's otherwise a glow

robertasc said:
Thanks for the information and help guys! I've read more about people with IPS screens and it just seems it is what is or just go for TN panel. In all honesty it doesn't really bother me, just don't want to have a feeling that I bought a faulty product and am sticking with it.
I've got pretty low brightness(35/100), as you said it's much too high out of the box. I think I'll just stick with it, I don't think I could go back to my old screen either way after using this one

Added a screenshot just for sake of it, ignore the right hand side as the camera just makes it look awful, it's a nightmare to capture it properly on the camera, but you can see it on the bottom left side of the screen.

https://imgur.com/a/Zcjuc

The bright spots are quite obvious - that looks to be one of the poorer monitors I've seen before, still taking into consideration that a camera will emphasise it a little.

It comes down to whether or not it affects your experience. For example, when I switched from my Asus PB278Q (no backlight bleed, just IPS glow) to the PG27AQ (which had horrendous backlight bleed), I RMAd the monitor straight away. You could even see the effect on the windows task bar.

But I'm picky, and want my money's worth.

If you're happy with that level, and don't want the hassle of returning it 24/7, I'd stick with it. If you feel it's not good enough for what you've paid, return it

IvanDobskey · 2 Nov 2017 at 11:44

All ips monitors suffer to a degree from backlight bleed.

Just the luck of the draw whether you get one with minimal bleed or not.

This is why I bought a VA panel.

MrRockliffe · 2 Nov 2017 at 13:02

IvanDobskey said:
All ips monitors suffer to a degree from backlight bleed.

Just the luck of the draw whether you get one with minimal bleed or not.

This is why I bought a VA panel.

That's not quite true - that's only the case with most current IPS displays due to poor quality control, but this isn't a characteristic of IPS itself, just the company that's making them.

IvanDobskey · 2 Nov 2017 at 14:42

MrRockliffe said:
That's not quite true - that's only the case with most current IPS displays due to poor quality control, but this isn't a characteristic of IPS itself, just the company that's making them.

All LCD screens will have some backlight bleed due to the nature of the technology.

Ips panels are particularly susceptible to it though.

It is possible to find an ips panel with minimal bleed, but you'll probably have to send your monitor back several times at least to get one.

My VA panel has absolutely minimal bleed (I'm talking needing a black screen and knowing where to look) and was the first one received.

MrRockliffe · 2 Nov 2017 at 14:50

IvanDobskey said:
All LCD screens will have some backlight bleed due to the nature of the technology.

Ips panels are particularly susceptible to it though.

It is possible to find an ips panel with minimal bleed, but you'll probably have to send your monitor back several times at least to get one.

My VA panel has absolutely minimal bleed and was the first one received.

AHVA is a very similar technology to IPS, the main difference being the alignment of molecules in the liquid crystal.

Any backlight bleed is due to a quality control issue, or design flaw. It's not a characteristic of the technology. My MacBook for example, suffers with no noticeable backlight bleed, even at 500 nits with a black background. This is because Apple employ better quality control standards. My PLS panel on my Asus PB278Q also has no backlight bleed, because it's a premium, professional display with a display from Samsung, who also employ better than average quality control processes.

Your VA panel will have little, if any backlight bleed due to the panel being made with much stricter manufacturing tolerances, not because it's VA.

IvanDobskey · 2 Nov 2017 at 15:09

My understanding is that ips is much more sensitive to the pressure exerted by the bezels holding the panel in place.

So therefore, to avoid backlight bleed, the monitor casing has to be more carefully designed and manufactured. And of course they don't bother to do this.

EsaT · 2 Nov 2017 at 15:58

IvanDobskey said:
My understanding is that ips is much more sensitive to the pressure exerted by the bezels holding the panel in place.

So therefore, to avoid backlight bleed, the monitor casing has to be more carefully designed and manufactured. And of course they don't bother to do this.

Really all LCDs are sensitive to variation in pressure on liquid crystals.
Besides many other things.
Question is just about quality control/sorting of panels.

That Behardware page listed here covered that very well:
http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/sony-xbr-mura-clouding-2007033142.htm
Behardware site has just been closed so now you need to use Google translate:
http://www.hardware.fr/articles/589-1/dalles-carte-mura-electronique-pixels-morts.html

MrRockliffe said:
AHVA is a very similar technology to IPS, the main difference being the alignment of molecules in the liquid crystal.

AHVA is AU Optronics' name for IPS.
(while Samsung uses name PLS for their IPS panels)
And except for naming has really nothing in common with VA liquid crystal type used in their previous MVA-panels or Samsung's PVA.
Which all share Vertical Alignment LCD's flaw of dark colour gamma shift/"black crush"

Also if markets weren't chasing for lowest common denominator we wouldn't have IPS glow which is fully solvable:

Without marketroids pushing TNs we would have lot better monitors without paying luxury price.
(production volumes would lower prices)