8204 brightness problem - pics

[Mattrix]

Two brand new Acers. 8204 (left) and 4654 (right)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/wamatt/Picture001.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/wamatt/Picture006.jpg

[TheCzar]

Is that after the brightness has been raised on the 8204? I read something about them shipping dim, but that it could be significantly increased in software (still not very bright, but decent). I only ask because the pics make it look VERY dim, even dimmer than my 4 year old gateway 9550

[Mattrix]

Sorry - yes both are with MAX brightness. You can't increase white (255,255,255) in software no matter how much you tweak.

All software does is mess around with the RGB values. IE make everything closer to white - giving an apearance of increasing brightness.

[suddste223]

Cant you change the brightness settings in the Graphics options?

[Falafel]

That does look bad. I wonder if you show acer those pictures what they would say.

My 8204 was not that dim when I got it.

[TaY]

dunno what the deal is, seems like your screen is just poor. I woudln't say I love mine, but I like it a lot. No problems here after some tweaking

[winst]

Wow ...that is really horrible, specially for a macine with that pricetag... iam very very happy i didn't take the plunge and get the 8204... even though the specs were begging me to buy it... THANK YOU!!! FOR THAT PIC

[Mattrix]

That does look bad. I wonder if you show acer those pictures what they would say.

My 8204 was not that dim when I got it.

It doesnt look that dim in real life.. Its the bad office lightening, however the point is to make a *relative* comparison. Its just disgusting how Acer could have goofed up on the QA process for its flagship model.

[czm2000]

There's no way mine's that dim. I've put it up against my 21" HD LCD which is as bright as they come. Even though the 8204 could obviously be brighter, there's no way on earth the difference is anywhere near what that shows. I'd send that back.

[euph_CF]

all i can say is WOW.......

[The Doctor]

I think the first pictures in this thread don't so much illustrate the brightness problem (which, once the tubes have warmed up, is not as bad as people have convinced themselves it is) but more an indication of the poor viewing angle.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/thedoctor/IMG_2132.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/thedoctor/IMG_2137.jpg

[TaY]

excellent point. it is the viewing angle, certainly. I DO NOT have the gripes that people seem to have with the screen, I was just serious about tweaking the screen until I was happy with its apperance. I quite enjoy it actually.

Go figure

[Mattrix]

Guys please use a white screen when comparing. White is unaffected by gamma control, brightness settings in software etc.

Yes bad viewing angle is partly to blame but that make no difference. I mean the point of having widescreen is to watch movies as well. This panel is very unforgiving, you have to look it dead on.

[chanon]

I can see the light leakage on some of these pics :D

[TaY]

http://www.notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=137911

[Wiz33]

Guys please use a white screen when comparing. White is unaffected by gamma control, brightness settings in software etc.

Yes bad viewing angle is partly to blame but that make no difference. I mean the point of having widescreen is to watch movies as well. This panel is very unforgiving, you have to look it dead on.

What does the viewing angle got to do with watchibg movies? Do you head goes up and down when you are watching a movie? Mine don't and once I set the screen at a comfortable angle, I can watch the whole movie just fine.

[stew]

I don't think that anyone would have a need for an immense viewing angle when watching movies. Realize that this laptop is aimed also at the "professional" crowd who prefer the privacy that these viewing angles give. There is nothing more annoying than someone trying to read what you're typing when you're trying to work. Watch movies head-on. It's really not that bad.

[Mattrix]

I don't think that anyone would have a need for an immense viewing angle when watching movies. Realize that this laptop is aimed also at the "professional" crowd who prefer the privacy that these viewing angles give. There is nothing more annoying than someone trying to read what you're typing when you're trying to work. Watch movies head-on. It's really not that bad.

Little hard when you and your GF are watching. Do you think they make desktop LCD's with crap viewing angles for privacy. I don' t think so. Its just poor quality.

[stew]

Well, I suppose your girlfriend sits on the other side of the room when you're together. The viewing angle might be considered a plus by those who like the proximity.

[TaY]

mattrix have you look at my screen yet?

[ramstryke]

yes, the viewing angles on the 8204 are a bit tight, but the screen's still good. that's a bad picture.. i'm thinking you got a bad screen.

[winst]

I don't have an 8204 or even an acer for that matter. But i was researching other machines on their website and came across something that makes some of these posts seem kinda funny.

It said something to the effect that the screen had great viewing angles so that your coworkers can easily see your presentation on screen whatever there proximity to the screen. (and had a picture with someone seated and several people gathered around looking on) Now i can't remember which notebook i was looking at when i saw this, but seeing as the 8204 is also supposed to be for BUSINESS persons, some of the overly defensive people seem to be taking this personally for no reason.


So if the screen sucks... it SUCKS... of course this is open to a variety of varying opinions! I have seen comparison shots where the 8204 screen was so poor it was obscene for its price. And i have seen comparison pics where the 8204 didn't seem bad at all, so each to his or her own opinion.

[Ransomed1]

Why the heck didn't they just use the same screen that's on the 8104? It's great! I know they added the vid cam, but they could have still used the same screen.

Ransom

[indiekiduk]

my friend has the 8104 and it has dead lines on it just like the 8204.