strange monitor distortion
February 1, 2011 7:58 PM
Any idea what might be happening to my monitor?
In the lower right corner of my desktop monitor, the black pixel edge (not the plastic casing, that is) has started to "bleed" over into the image. It looks like this. This is a MS paint version of what happened, but it is pretty accurate. The black line actually seems to be the dark pixels that normally line the outer border of the image, and it does come over the image like that so that it leaves more image to the right of the distortion. It does not move or flicker, and seems to be a permanent distortion.
Any idea what might be causing it, and if I can fix it? I thought that perhaps having my desktop next to the monitor may have caused some interference. Also, there is a vent on the tower that is pretty close to that area of the monitor, so maybe from heat?
Any ideas, especially from someone familiar with technical issues with monitors, would be appreciated.
In the lower right corner of my desktop monitor, the black pixel edge (not the plastic casing, that is) has started to "bleed" over into the image. It looks like this. This is a MS paint version of what happened, but it is pretty accurate. The black line actually seems to be the dark pixels that normally line the outer border of the image, and it does come over the image like that so that it leaves more image to the right of the distortion. It does not move or flicker, and seems to be a permanent distortion.
Any idea what might be causing it, and if I can fix it? I thought that perhaps having my desktop next to the monitor may have caused some interference. Also, there is a vent on the tower that is pretty close to that area of the monitor, so maybe from heat?
Any ideas, especially from someone familiar with technical issues with monitors, would be appreciated.
LCD. Not sure if it makes a difference, but this model.
posted by SpacemanStix at 8:16 PM on February 1, 2011
posted by SpacemanStix at 8:16 PM on February 1, 2011
It sounds like the LCD has dead pixels down in that corner. Dead pixels can be caused by a flaw or crack in the LCD layer, dead transistors, or delamination of the internal layers that make up the screen. The fact that it is happening down at the bottom right corner is consistent with a stress crack or delamination because that is the point you are most likely to push/pull to adjust the monitor's position.
It's worth reading about stuck pixels vs. dead pixels. Stuck pixels can sometimes be corrected via software. Dead pixels are probably a dead end.
From Wikipedia Article:
Dark Dot Defects
A dark dot defect is usually caused by a transistor in the transparent electrode layer that is stuck "on" for "TN" panels or "off" for "MVA"/"PVA" and "IPS" panels. In that state the transistor places the liquid crystal material in such a way that no light ever passes through to the RGB layer.
Stuck versus dead pixels
Stuck pixels are often incorrectly referred to as dead pixels, which have a similar appearance. In a dead pixel, all three sub-pixels are permanently off, producing a permanently black pixel. Dead pixels can result from similar manufacturing anomalies as stuck pixels, but may also occur from a non-functioning transistor resulting in complete lack of power to the pixel.[citation needed] Dead pixels are much less likely to correct themselves over time or be repaired through any of several popular methods
posted by Babblesort at 9:09 PM on February 1, 2011
It's worth reading about stuck pixels vs. dead pixels. Stuck pixels can sometimes be corrected via software. Dead pixels are probably a dead end.
From Wikipedia Article:
Dark Dot Defects
A dark dot defect is usually caused by a transistor in the transparent electrode layer that is stuck "on" for "TN" panels or "off" for "MVA"/"PVA" and "IPS" panels. In that state the transistor places the liquid crystal material in such a way that no light ever passes through to the RGB layer.
Stuck versus dead pixels
Stuck pixels are often incorrectly referred to as dead pixels, which have a similar appearance. In a dead pixel, all three sub-pixels are permanently off, producing a permanently black pixel. Dead pixels can result from similar manufacturing anomalies as stuck pixels, but may also occur from a non-functioning transistor resulting in complete lack of power to the pixel.[citation needed] Dead pixels are much less likely to correct themselves over time or be repaired through any of several popular methods
posted by Babblesort at 9:09 PM on February 1, 2011
That's usually a sign of physical damage to the LCD panel. The cheapest fix is deciding to live with it. The next cheapest is replacing the monitor.
posted by flabdablet at 3:29 AM on February 2, 2011
posted by flabdablet at 3:29 AM on February 2, 2011
Fladablet is correct. The various layers of the LCD panel are delaminating in that area and the pixels are no longer able to be controlled.
posted by gjc at 5:45 AM on February 2, 2011
posted by gjc at 5:45 AM on February 2, 2011
That's what I was afraid of, and it makes sense. If I were to guess, that corner was probably torqued a bit during a position adjustment.
Thanks all for the feedback. My consolation is that if I know what it is, I can probably keep it from getting worse.
posted by SpacemanStix at 10:35 AM on February 2, 2011
Thanks all for the feedback. My consolation is that if I know what it is, I can probably keep it from getting worse.
posted by SpacemanStix at 10:35 AM on February 2, 2011
Here's an update in case anyone is still reading. It appears that the black line is semi-transparent. If I put the mouse cursor behind it, I can see part of the image behind it somewhat. Would this affect the diagnosis, or is that consistent with delamination?
posted by SpacemanStix at 8:55 AM on February 3, 2011
posted by SpacemanStix at 8:55 AM on February 3, 2011
Quite consistent.
LCD panels consist of two sheets with liquid crystal sandwiched in between. The front sheet is tiled with transparent transistors, one per sub-pixel, that affect the LC behind them. Your panel's transistors are still working in the damaged region which is why it can still form images to some extent, but the LC layer in that region has been disrupted and is now the wrong thickness.
posted by flabdablet at 3:14 PM on February 3, 2011
LCD panels consist of two sheets with liquid crystal sandwiched in between. The front sheet is tiled with transparent transistors, one per sub-pixel, that affect the LC behind them. Your panel's transistors are still working in the damaged region which is why it can still form images to some extent, but the LC layer in that region has been disrupted and is now the wrong thickness.
posted by flabdablet at 3:14 PM on February 3, 2011
Thanks for the additional information. I'll try to go now and be content with my predicament.
posted by SpacemanStix at 12:43 PM on February 4, 2011
posted by SpacemanStix at 12:43 PM on February 4, 2011
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posted by Sys Rq at 8:05 PM on February 1, 2011