Dead pixels

[bovinda]

The only thing that keeps me from buying an LCD online (e.g., Newegg) is fear of dead pixels--they drive me crazy. But it seems like I don't hear anyone talk about them much anymore. A couple years back it seemed like it was more of a concern, and there was lots of talk about "x dead pixels return policies" and what-not.

Is it not an issue anymore? If not, how come? Are they less likely to have dead pixels now? Do people just not care anymore? Have return policies changed?

There have got to be others out there like me who are driven crazy by dead pixels. Where do you guys do your shopping for LCDs?

 

[Don66]

Originally posted by: bovinda
The only thing that keeps me from buying an LCD online (e.g., Newegg) is fear of dead pixels--they drive me crazy. But it seems like I don't hear anyone talk about them much anymore. A couple years back it seemed like it was more of a concern, and there was lots of talk about "x dead pixels return policies" and what-not.

Is it not an issue anymore? If not, how come? Are they less likely to have dead pixels now? Do people just not care anymore? Have return policies changed?

There have got to be others out there like me who are driven crazy by dead pixels. Where do you guys do your shopping for LCDs?

You should buy your lcd @ a BM if you are afraid of dead pixels alot easier to return

 

[imaheadcase]

Most reviews from newegg quote "a few dead pixels but not noticeable". Im guessing just the better overall change vs a few years ago makes them harder to notice in panel technology.

I could be wrong though, but I'm guessing its just better technology kind of removes the noticeable dead pixels.

 

[Synomenon]

I don't think there's new technology that makes dead pixels harder to see. It's more where the dead pixel is and what colors the user displays on his/her screen (desktop wallpaper, windows themes, what they're watching, etc.). If you're worried about dead pixels though, I'd definitely buy from a local store (make sure they don't charge restocking fees and will accept a return or exchange for dead pixels). I'd also buy from Dell. They have a pretty lenient return policy. I'd never buy a monitor from Newegg though unless it was some killer deal. They're pixel policy is too strict.

Yeah I'm one of those people that can't stand dead pixels.

 

[ForumMaster]

buy from a local store and there shouldn't be a problem in returning it. today, there's less dead pixels since the technology has matured. i have an old display and it does have one dead pixel: at the very bottom of the screen on the taskbar. this doesn't really bother me for that reason. however, there are plenty of techniques to bring back stuck or dead pixels back to life should the need arise.

to summarize: not such an issue today, but buy from a B&M store.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

Originally posted by: ForumMaster
buy from a local store and there shouldn't be a problem in returning it. today, there's less dead pixels since the technology has matured. i have an old display and it does have one dead pixel: at the very bottom of the screen on the taskbar. this doesn't really bother me for that reason. however, there are plenty of techniques to bring back stuck or dead pixels back to life should the need arise.

to summarize: not such an issue today, but buy from a B&M store.

B&M stores are almost always more expensive. i just got a 20" benq for 145 AR from buy.com . no B&M store will give me anything more 15" for that much.

anyway i think its because technology has matured and people have learnedto live with dead pixel. most compaines warranty 4 dead pixels and newegg on 8. so its not really a mojor concern anymore. besides with todays high res displays seeing one pixel stuck out of 1 million is not that easy.

 

[yacoub]

That's the trade-off. Pay less but suffer with harder return and RMA policies.

Also, get a size with a tighter pixel pitch so a dead pixel will be less noticeable. 20" instead of 22", 24" instead of 26-27". Since those pairs use the same resolution, the larger one has a higher pixel pitch and thus more noticeable if any are dead.

 

[imaheadcase]

Originally posted by: yacoub
That's the trade-off. Pay less but suffer with harder return and RMA policies.

Also, get a size with a tighter pixel pitch so a dead pixel will be less noticeable. 20" instead of 22", 24" instead of 26-27". Since those pairs use the same resolution, the larger one has a higher pixel pitch and thus more noticeable if any are dead.

Returns/RMA are not harder, if anything easier cause you don't have to deal with people.

Dell does cross shipping on monitors so its not a huge deal, Newegg is basically a no questions asked you just pay shipping to send yours back.

 

[imported_Imp]

Oh ya, they're still a problem. Somehow, my old 17" from two years back was perfect, but my new 2407 I got 3 months ago has one. Probably cause theres double the number of pixels... Made me cry for a month, but now I've completely forgotten it's there and don't even notice it. In retrospect, I honestly don't regret deciding to hold onto it (especially with Dell's easy returns/exchanges), although the month of 'pain' sucked.

Currently, a few manufcaturers do have no dead pixel policies (Viewsonic?, BenQ?, Samsung?) for the first 10 days, which should be all you need since they're usually there from the start. Could give those a try and just exchange until you get a perfect one. If you shop from NCIX, you can buy dead pixel insurance for some monitors ($30?). So it's getting better, just don't expect to never come across any.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: imaheadcase

Originally posted by: yacoub
That's the trade-off. Pay less but suffer with harder return and RMA policies.

Also, get a size with a tighter pixel pitch so a dead pixel will be less noticeable. 20" instead of 22", 24" instead of 26-27". Since those pairs use the same resolution, the larger one has a higher pixel pitch and thus more noticeable if any are dead.

Returns/RMA are not harder, if anything easier cause you don't have to deal with people.

Dell does cross shipping on monitors so its not a huge deal, Newegg is basically a no questions asked you just pay shipping to send yours back.

thats only if you have enough dead pixels to warrant a return. If it only has a few dead pixels, I am pretty sure they won't accept a return.

 

[bovinda]

Ah, good info. Thanks for all the perspectives, guys. It sounds like I will probably be buying from Costco then, just to be safe.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

Originally posted by: Imp
Oh ya, they're still a problem. Somehow, my old 17" from two years back was perfect, but my new 2407 I got 3 months ago has one. Probably cause theres double the number of pixels... Made me cry for a month, but now I've completely forgotten it's there and don't even notice it. In retrospect, I honestly don't regret deciding to hold onto it (especially with Dell's easy returns/exchanges), although the month of 'pain' sucked.

Currently, a few manufcaturers do have no dead pixel policies (Viewsonic?, BenQ?, Samsung?) for the first 10 days, which should be all you need since they're usually there from the start. Could give those a try and just exchange until you get a perfect one. If you shop from NCIX, you can buy dead pixel insurance for some monitors ($30?). So it's getting better, just don't expect to never come across any.

can you give me a link to benq's return policy that states 0 dead pixel for 1st 10 days.

 

[xtknight]

They are getting more uncommon by the day, but they still occur. Unfortunately it's not something that can be easily predicted. They will never fully disappear. The likelihood is still around 15% for dead pixels to occur on arrival, I would say.

 

[Mem]

I know some sites online will do a pixel check on the LCD monitor you order for a small added fee(at least in the UK).


My LCD came with one dead pixel(white near bottom of screen) however I can only really see it if I look for it on a black background, 99% of time I don't notice it especially with light backgrounds etc....

 

[Zenoth]

Return policies for dead pixels still exist. For example LG Electronics has one, allowing you to ask for a brand new LCD of the same model if your current one has a number of dead pixels (I think it's four or five dead pixels only, pretty amazing stuff).

 

[Job]

Check you local or national 'distance purchasing" laws - in England you can return anything purchased by internet or post within 28 days for whatever reason - this means that even a strict pixel policy won't stop you from returning a product

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

I have a stuck red pixel that appeared after about a month of use. It's in the middle of my screen, but that's okay. I barely notice it. I tried using the massaging trick, but that didn't really work.

 

[BernardP]

What percentage of screens are affected by dead pixels?

What is the dead pixel policy for all major LCD makers?

BeHardware article

 

[bovinda]

Good article, Bernard, thanks for posting that. I'll give that a read-through.