Samsung 2443BWT Brightness Problem ???

Bowen · Post by **Bowen** » 07 Aug 2009, 11:09

I just got a Samsung 2443BWT monitor yesterday and it's great, but one thing bothers me a bit. The Top half of the screen is slightly brighter than the rest. When I say slightly, I mean barely at all, but if you look you can see it.

My question is, should I return it for another one or is this normal for a TN panel?? I seem to recall seeing someone else had this monitor (can't remember where I read it) and they said they were on their 4th or 5th monitor and they all had this problem.

Has anyone encountered this before?

Post by **Gilly** » 07 Aug 2009, 13:31

if its on a black screen is it brighter at the edges and top all the time?

Bowen · Post by **Bowen** » 07 Aug 2009, 19:31

You can tell the most when you're comparing two white screens. The one at the top is slightly whiter and bolder than the one at the bottom. I wouldn't call it a bleed, but it's just...well like I said....whiter and bolder. I wish I could take a pic of it but it's so subtle that it wouldn't show up on a pic.

Frag Maniac · Post by **Frag Maniac** » 07 Aug 2009, 23:44

Does the top half appear brighter when doing the back light bleed test whereby you use an all black image or set screensaver to blank? Also, are you looking at the screen directly from a center viewpoint with the screen surface perpendicular vs tilted forward or back?

Many TN LCD screens are VERY sensitive to washout when viewed slightly above center. Make sure this is not the problem.

Bowen · Post by **Bowen** » 08 Aug 2009, 08:08

No it doesn't, I can only notice it on a monotone color....something bright like white especially. At any rate, for this monitor, it's all moot since I called Samsung today and they're sending out a replacement so I can still use this one until the replacement comes.

Post by **Gilly** » 08 Aug 2009, 09:23

sounds like there might be a little issue where they use backlights horizontally, not vertically and or there is less space at the top between the backlight and the LCD panel itself

Frag Maniac · Post by **Frag Maniac** » 08 Aug 2009, 23:22

No it doesn't, I can only notice it on a monotone color....something bright like white especially.

And you're viewing it on center and perpendicular vs above center or tilted? Also, contrast settings can change how bright the lighter colors look, esp white. A lot of TN panels now a days advertise extremely high DCR presets, but they almost always ruin color quality and can often make whites look too bright, even glowy.

If it does only show on the top half of the screen though, esp when viewing on center, it's probably a problem with the intensity and or placement of the top CCFL or panel itself, in which case they'll prefer to replace vs fix. It's best to make sure it's not caused by or made worse by a setting though, esp if it's minor, because all panels have some slight quirks and the one you exchange for could be worse.

The problem you're describing should be most noticeable when the screen is blank (all black) and you're viewing it in a dark room with no lighting. If in that scenario it's obvious, then yeah, it's most likely uneven back lighting.

Bowen · Post by **Bowen** » 09 Aug 2009, 00:02

I can't notice anything with an all black screen, in fact it looks perfect....only with white or bright monotone colors. I thought about the replacement being worst but I'm hoping for the best.

I know the average person probably wouldn't see it but then I don't think the average person browses these forums either...heh. I know I'm quite anal about these things but I expect more from Samsung.....ya know.

When I bought my 20 inch LG L204WT panel a couple years ago, while it wasn't perfect (none are) it didn't have anything like this. That's the sort of quality I expect....not perfection but something that's not going to bug me everything I have bright colors like this reply field for example. The bottom of the screen is dimmer and the text isn't as sharp than the top.....it's not a huge difference but noticeable.

Frag Maniac · Post by **Frag Maniac** » 09 Aug 2009, 06:18

I can't notice anything with an all black screen, in fact it looks perfect....only with white or bright monotone colors.

Hmmm, that's strange. Typically anything regarding uneven back lighting would be most noticeable with the screen blank and no lighting in the room. I take it you're sure this is not a matter of the room lights you're using reflecting off only the top half of the screen?

Bowen · Post by **Bowen** » 09 Aug 2009, 07:52

Actually, now that I look at the light, I'm not sure if it's really bad or not to tell you the truth! I think I'll just send the other one back if it looks like this one does.

Frag Maniac · Post by **Frag Maniac** » 09 Aug 2009, 23:21

Actually, now that I look at the light, I'm not sure if it's really bad or not to tell you the truth!

If you mean room lights, yeah, that can be crucial in getting good image quality. Samsungs are usually pretty good out of the box.

Post by **Tamlin** » 11 Aug 2009, 22:38

I can't notice anything with an all black screen, in fact it looks perfect....only with white or bright monotone colors.

TN's are usually sensitive to viewing angle top and bottom. Check if you still see this when you adjust your angle a bit.

Otherwise, you have a brightness uniformity issue. Unlike backlight bleed, this manifests itself in parts of the screen appearing brighter then other parts regardless of angle and its visible in the colors.

Brightness uniformity issues can happen to all lcd screens (pro screens sometimes have counteractive measures like Colorcomp for NEC's and DUE for Eizo).

Bowen · Post by **Bowen** » 12 Aug 2009, 02:12

Well I sent the Samsung back. On the plus side of things I think it was just the orrible viewing angle. The DVD playback on it was horrible though...strange. Samsung was gonna send me a refurb and I said no and Provantage just took it back.

After I get my money back I'm gonna get an LG W2453V-PF. I'm going with LG because the 20 I have which is LG L204WT is awesome. Everything looks good on it. I realize the pixel pitch on it is smaller but the reviews on the W2453V-PF are really good.

The Samsung did everything else well except DVD playback and horrible viewing angles. My LG L204WT has great viewing angles, so that's why I'm going back to them. The only thing that really bugged me about the Samsung once I saw that it was OK with the lighting dept, was the DVD playback. I watch a fair amount of DVD's and it was really grainy and pixelated.....very disappointing!

Can't wait to get the LG!

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