Originally posted by: Naustica
When did Samsung change their dead pixel policy? They used to have 8-10 pixel policy. I thought they still had that. This is news to me. Any links?
The BottomDollar.com site raises the interesting statistic that in 2004, nearly 40 per cent of all monitors shipped will ship with some defective pixels. When you count the number of pixels on your lovely Dell monitors, you should note that the probability of getting one or more could be statistically high, and that it's relatively unlikely that you'll get a clean slate with zero. By the way, it's also very unlikely you'll find these dead pixels easily, and even more unlikely if you don't regularly clean your monitor, because dust and dried saliva (you may cough or sneeze from time to time) is consistently more noticeable than a dead pixel.
Naustica raises an interesting question, Halcy, because my memory is also that they (Samsung) don't have, or at least didn't have a Zero pixel policy. I member that places that use to sell Samsung used to enforce an 8 pixel policy. It would be interesting to actually see it in print. The fact is that most companies used to have an even greater number that you had to exceed before you could return a monitor. IBM used require twenty! They have lowered it to eight I believe.
As far as Samsung goes, the Samsung web site currently has FAQ on the issue of dead pixels, and it reads as follows:
Question:
What is Samsung's policy on dead pixels.
Answer:
Samsung monitor products conform to the ISO 1346-2 Standard with regard to dead or missing
pixels!
It doesn't say anything about kidnapped pixels or "runaway" pixels. Notice that this policy also doesn't mean the published standard is "zero tolerance." Quite the contrary, actually, the ISO Class standard is not 0 (zero) pixels. There are too sleazy to provide the info on the site, and notice that when they mention where you can learn more about the standard, the link they provide, which is
http://www.iso.org/iso/en/Cata...eDetail?CSNUMBER=25670 is a link that requires you to PAY for the information. That's really tacky, if you ask me. In other words, we have a policy, which is the standard ISO policy but we aren't going to tell you about how that translates to dead pixels. So much for easy going manufacturers which make it easier for you to have peace of mind.
If you look at Tom's Hardware site they list the number as being SEVEN for a 15" and TEN for 17" monitor. They also say that the questionnaire indicates that the Samsung will not replace a panel if you a pixel problem at the edge of the panel or EVEN in the middle of the panel. So, I wonder now, if Halcy is correct here. At any rate, you've got your work cut out for you to turn around this notion that it's not zero. Could it be that the SUPPLIER agreed to take it back for you because the SUPPLIER (retailer) had a 100% satisfaction guarantee (even though Samsung does not). Well, that would be horse of a different color.
And, of course, it becomes still more difficult to really get to the bottom of things with the ACTUAL "Okay, we'll take it back from you," because in real life, what you may find can be quite surprising. For example, what you find at Tom's Hardware under "Dead Pixel Policy":
"Another (nicer) surprise is the new slogan that Philips is flaunting on some of its panels: zero-pixel-defect tolerance. Except they're not talking about unlit pixels, so you may have four dead pixels before they consent to a replacement. Still, this policy is a step in the right direction towards better service and should be applied more often."
See Tom's Hardware Page on pixel warranties here:
http://graphics.tomshardware.c...319/lcd_pixels-02.html
Acer wouldn't answer Tom's Hardware Questionnaire
Apple - Vague but think it's eight and possibly four in row ... connected
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=22194
Notice that Tom's Hardware notes that Apple has refused to answer questions about their dead pixel return policy is.
Belinea: far from zero
Will not change a panel if dead on the edge or in the middle of panel.
CTX: 2 lit, 2 unlit or 4 color
Will not change a panel if dead on the edge or in the middle of panel.
Deawoo: wouldn't answer Tom's Hardware Questionnaire
Dell: it's eight or four in a row ... straight line ... connected (but then there's the 100% Satisfaction Guarantee that gets you off the hook - a lot of other outlets don't provide this (Santa) clause.
EIZO: see Tom's Hardware article (far far from Zero)
different on 15 and 17 and 19" monitors.
Will not change a panel if dead on the edge or in the middle of panel.
HP:
http://wwss1pro.compaq.com/sup...mp;dt=3&docid=8235
IBM:
http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=0&org=psg&doc=MIGR-4U9P53&loc=en-us
NEC-Mitsubishi:
http://www.necmitsubishi.com/s...NMDA_dead_pixel_wp.pdf
Sony far from Zero
Will not change a panel if dead on the edge or in the middle of panel.
Viewsonic: see web site for LCD Pixel Criteria:
http://www.viewsonic.com/suppo...ic=lcd&question=01
There's more reading for those who want to pursue this subject at a number of other web sites. Just Google yourself around the Net. I particularly like the Title of this one:
Better Dead Than Red! at
http://www.apcmag.com/apc/v3.n...738DC7CA256E3800076FBE
If anyone else has any interesting links to manufacturers and their dead pixel policies, please take the opportunity to post it so we can compare.
Phew.
- Sadhu
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