Monitor brightness inconsistency

I’m posting this on three NG’s since I don’t know which applies best to

problem. Here’s the hardware list:

Sony E540 (primary monitor, 21")
Sony A240R (secondary monitor, 17")
Matrox G450 32mb dual-head on AGP
Gigabyte 8KNXP mobo w/ P4 2.8C (HT) and 2gb DDR3200 RAM
OS: WinXP Pro

I use this system for photo editing (PhotoShop, Nikon Capture, etc.) and both monitors emit a noticeably brighter picture until they have been

for 15 or 20 minutes, although the larger monitor shows this effect more prominently. It, of course, is the monitor I use for photo editing. This occurs when first started in the morning and when brought out of sleep

(set to activate after 30 minutes at idle). I cannot do any critical

editing until the monitors warm up.

Sony’s tech support (level 1) acted like the problem has never been seen before, but if it continues offered to replace either or both monitors in warranty. A friend who operates a digital photo lab says that his

editing software (used on PC’s) recommends never using a screen saver for this reason. Another photographer also using a PC mentioned that his monitor calibration device recommends not running tests unless the monitor has been on for some time. This leads me to believe the brightness issue

experience may be common.

Has anyone else encountered this phenomenon? A second system in my studio (Matrox G400SH with el cheapo Samsung 17" monitor) does not seem to vary

brightness at all. I can live with this, but I’d rather not. I’ve run Adobe Gamma and contrast is set to 100 and brightness at 5 after

on the larger monitor (warmed up, of course). The second monitor is set

87 and 37, respectively, and brightness is about equal.

This leads me to believe the brightness issue I experience may be common.

I’m posting this on three NG’s since I don’t know which applies best to this problem. Here’s the hardware list:

Sony E540 (primary monitor, 21")
Sony A240R (secondary monitor, 17")
Matrox G450 32mb dual-head on AGP
Gigabyte 8KNXP mobo w/ P4 2.8C (HT) and 2gb DDR3200 RAM
OS: WinXP Pro

I use this system for photo editing (PhotoShop, Nikon Capture, etc.) and both monitors emit a noticeably brighter picture until they have been active for 15 or 20 minutes, although the larger monitor shows this effect more prominently. It, of course, is the monitor I use for photo editing. This occurs when first started in the morning and when brought out of sleep mode (set to activate after 30 minutes at idle). I cannot do any critical photo editing until the monitors warm up.

Sony’s tech support (level 1) acted like the problem has never been seen before, but if it continues offered to replace either or both monitors in warranty. A friend who operates a digital photo lab says that his high-end editing software (used on PC’s) recommends never using a screen saver for this reason. Another photographer also using a PC mentioned that his monitor calibration device recommends not running tests unless the monitor has been on for some time. This leads me to believe the brightness issue I experience may be common.

Has anyone else encountered this phenomenon? A second system in my studio (Matrox G400SH with el cheapo Samsung 17" monitor) does not seem to vary in brightness at all. I can live with this, but I’d rather not. I’ve run Adobe Gamma and contrast is set to 100 and brightness at 5 after calibration on the larger monitor (warmed up, of course). The second monitor is set to 87 and 37, respectively, and brightness is about equal.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. TIA.

Bob Davis wrote:

This leads me to believe the brightness issue I experience may be common.

It’s very common for CRT monitors. I can’t trust my Sony FW900 the first 30 to 45 minutes after a cold start (it’s way to bright too). TFT monitors don’t have that "problem".

Except that TF^T monitors are NTSCT – Never The Same Colour Twice 😉

I also edit photos on a 21"Sony monitor (E540) plus two el cheapo 19" My main monitor has to warm up before I can work on it ( takes just a few minutes) sounds totally normal I also read many times to let the monitor

Adobe Gamma and so I did.

Your friend says not to use a screen saver, wouldn’t this keep your

running?

I don’t use any but have set my monitors to turn off only after 90 minutes of no activity.

Why is your brightness is set at only 5? it seems very very little!

As for the calibration of the other monitors I imagine you already know

can’t do anything about it via Adobe Gamma, it works only on your main display.

Hecate wrote:

Except that TF^T monitors are NTSCT – Never The Same Colour Twice 😉

That depends on the quality of the TFT. 🙂

True 😉

I’m posting this on three NG’s since I don’t know which applies best to this problem. Here’s the hardware list:

Sony E540 (primary monitor, 21")
Sony A240R (secondary monitor, 17")
Matrox G450 32mb dual-head on AGP
Gigabyte 8KNXP mobo w/ P4 2.8C (HT) and 2gb DDR3200 RAM
OS: WinXP Pro

I use this system for photo editing (PhotoShop, Nikon Capture, etc.) and both monitors emit a noticeably brighter picture until they have been active for 15 or 20 minutes, although the larger monitor shows this effect more prominently. It, of course, is the monitor I use for photo editing. This occurs when first started in the morning and when brought out of sleep mode (set to activate after 30 minutes at idle). I cannot do any critical photo editing until the monitors warm up.

Sony’s tech support (level 1) acted like the problem has never been seen before, but if it continues offered to replace either or both monitors in warranty. A friend who operates a digital photo lab says that his high-end editing software (used on PC’s) recommends never using a screen saver for this reason. Another photographer also using a PC mentioned that his monitor calibration device recommends not running tests unless the monitor has been on for some time. This leads me to believe the brightness issue I experience may be common.

Has anyone else encountered this phenomenon? A second system in my studio (Matrox G400SH with el cheapo Samsung 17" monitor) does not seem to vary in brightness at all. I can live with this, but I’d rather not. I’ve run Adobe Gamma and contrast is set to 100 and brightness at 5 after calibration on the larger monitor (warmed up, of course). The second monitor is set to 87 and 37, respectively, and brightness is about equal.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. TIA.

Hecate wrote:

True 😉

🙂

I can tell that my TFT doesn’t drift as much as my CRT does. The CRT drifts a lot during a week or two and especially the red color runs amok if I doesn’t bring it back to a reasonable level every now and then.
My TFT on the other hand, is very stable regarding color consistency. The TFT is a Viewsonic VP201s and I just love it. It has a smaller gamut than the Sony FW900 does, but I can easily live with that.