New Monitor Artifacts

[Armxnian]

Hello Everyone,

In spite of Dave's most recent video which features a somewhat broken TV, I decided to take a closer look at my monitor.

In a completely dark room and a completely black background, I noticed red pixels when everything should be black. It seems to be concentrated in a specific area. I can find some a little below the main area but they are harder to notice, as they seem less intense, maybe because there are not as many.

I got the new 4k monitor (Dell P2715q) a few weeks ago. Currently using the mini display port to display port cable that came with it. I tried using an hdmi cable but it's the same thing. The problem does not exist on another monitor using the same graphics card. I tried many other colors but the problem seems to only exist when the display is to show black.

Initially I thought it would be impossible to take a picture of it, especially with a phone camera, but it came out pretty well. The area is in the middle offset a little to the right, looks almost like a phoenix. Please ignore the other weird light/camera physics at play:

I'm guessing the panel is the problem. Has anyone seen something like this before?

[3roomlab]

it looks like those "pressure impressions" when you press the panel and its permanently left behind? that would be the closest i have seen to the effect of such patches.

if you try to overdose the panel settings like contrast color brightness ... does it get worse or go away?

[Armxnian]

It's not an actual red pixel, it's like a very faded dark red pixel. Playing with the output levels of my graphics card has very minimal effect. Overdosing the brightness just turns blacks into grays and therefore makes the artifact disappear. Contrast via the GPU control panel or monitor controls also has no effect. However, when I lower the brightness through monitor controls, which is most likely the backlight, the patches are not visible anymore. The patches are most visible with brightness at the highest setting.

One thing I've noticed is that there seems to a pattern. It is every other pixel that is red, or maybe every 3rd pixel. It is hard to tell since the pixels on a 27 inch 4k monitor are so small. I'm not sure how my unit passed QA, especially for a model that comes factory calibrated. Maybe it was damaged during shipment? It's weird that it happens only when the color is black, or maybe it is only visible to the naked eye when displaying black.

[3roomlab]

well, since you could get it on picture. maybe you could ask dell for a RMA ? i would want to guess something behind the panel, but every other pixel, mmmm 

[Armxnian]

I could get an RMA, but I'm not that worried about it. I didn't notice it until I loaded up a black background in paint. If I was looking for optimal blacks and contrast I wouldn't have gotten an LCD  .

I was more interested in finding out what could cause such a problem. Damaged circuitry can be repaired, but there's not much that can be done on a defective panel.

[3roomlab]

back light diffuser pressing onto something, creating some kind of sub moire pattern. i could only guess at this point. 

[neslekkim]

IPS panels shouldnt have such artifacts, I have two U2715H, not 4k, but IPS, not at all something like that.

[amyk]

It looks like a hexagonal pattern. That's far too regular to be random dead/half-working pixels... but just to be sure, this is not one of those deceptive non-rectangular-subpixel screens, right?

[wraper]

RMA it to Dell, as I heard, in US they even send a new one before collecting old. Don't wait, AFAIK dell exchanges to the new only first 30 days, afterwards, most likely you'll get a refub as replacement.

[aargee]

Hexagonal patterns just like that are used for LED back-light diffusers.
That's what you are seeing I think, as to how it is appearing through the LCD like that - I'm not sure but the screen receiving pressure in that area at some stage would be a good guess.

[Armxnian]

Hexagonal patterns just like that are used for LED back-light diffusers.
That's what you are seeing I think, as to how it is appearing through the LCD like that - I'm not sure but the screen receiving pressure in that area at some stage would be a good guess.

Wouldn't the monitor have to be on for it to happen? If so, it had to happen in the factory during calibration, because I certainly didn't apply pressure anywhere, and the packaging looked intact.

RMA it to Dell, as I heard, in US they even send a new one before collecting old. Don't wait, AFAIK dell exchanges to the new only first 30 days, afterwards, most likely you'll get a refub as replacement.

Got it from a retailer which is located on the other side of the U.S. It's not that often I'm looking at a black screen in that certain area, but when I am, it is a bit noticeable. I still have 5 days to RMA, maybe I should.

[TheBay]

Dell have the best RMA with monitors. Call them and get it swapped.  It could get worse and then it's too late. Plus it will start bugging you

[Armxnian]

Dell have the best RMA with monitors. Call them and get it swapped.  It could get worse and then it's too late. Plus it will start bugging you

I think it actually did get worse. Now it's in the center and a little bit to the left along with what originally was there. No point in returning it to Dell since it isn't past 30 days. I just requested an RMA from B&H photo. This way instead of getting a replacement refurb, I get my full money back and can buy a new one if I want. They even paid for return shipping; excellent customer service.

[TheBay]

Good job you are acting quick there  , that's a good service from B&H, in the UK we just go back to Dell as they ship out next day a brand new replacement.

Dell have the best RMA with monitors. Call them and get it swapped.  It could get worse and then it's too late. Plus it will start bugging you

I think it actually did get worse. Now it's in the center and a little bit to the left along with what originally was there. No point in returning it to Dell since it isn't past 30 days. I just requested an RMA from B&H photo. This way instead of getting a replacement refurb, I get my full money back and can buy a new one if I want. They even paid for return shipping; excellent customer service.