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Dead and stuck pixels still appearing
I've seen a number of LCDs with stuck pixels lately. These red, green or blue dots ruin films, games, pictures and pretty much anything you stare at on your screen.
Trying to flash a series of colours on a stuck pixel can purportedly knock it out of its stubborn state. A small utility called UDPixel apparently does this on just the affected part of the screen so you can carry on working.
I accept that stuck pixels were a problem when LCD technology was in its infancy, but to see some manufacturers send us in review kit with stuck pixels years later worries me a lot.
It's not uncommon for review kit to be cherry-picked. And if we get bad samples, what can everyone else expect?
In the last month I've seen a notebook from PC World and a desktop from Hi-Grade with the problem. The Hi-Grade had two stuck pixels and the warranty wouldn't cover a replacement for less than six stuck pixels – and even then, the replacement would be a refurbished model rather than a new one.
I was consoled somewhat however, when the Sony-monitor representative speaking on behalf of Hi-Grade sympathised with me, saying "I know it's a bit unfair".
I'm still investigating the notebook and will hopefully get the chance to test UDPixel with it soon.
Posted by Emil Larsen on August 29, 2007 | Permalink
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Comments
I don't understand how manufacturers can get away with this dead pixel rule. It's the only item I know of where they can get away with selling faulty equipment, and the reason I've kept my LCD panels to a minimum, as buying one is too much of a lottery.
Imagine going to buy a new car, only to find six dents in the bodywork, for the dealer to say, it's acceptable, it's only cosmetic, and doesn't impede your use of the product, so we'll only exchange it for a second hand one. I don't think people would accept that somehow. :-)
Posted by: Mark S | 2 Sep 2007 00:48:14
