Uneven backlight in N800?

[Karel Jansens]

I've mentioned this in another thread before as a minor nuisance, but it seems to get more annoying (not getting worse, just getting more on my nerves) with time.

The backlight of my N800 is really uneven: both on the left and on the right side there is a considerable drop in luminosity; it appears as if the screen fades from white to light brown.

As said, it is only visible against a white (or at least clear) background, but in an editor window and in FBReader it is very visible and, by now, distracting.

Do other people experience the same problem? And has anyone sent their N800 back to Nokia for this?

[Texrat]

Shadowing on the right side is a known issue, a byproduct of the light emitters. It manifests to various degrees. I've never seen shadowing on the left side, though.

[Karel Jansens]

Shadowing on the right side is a known issue, a byproduct of the light emitters. It manifests to various degrees. I've never seen shadowing on the left side, though.

I figured the right shadowing might have something to do with the LEDs, the 770 had the "cones of darkness" :D on that side. The left side shadowing is marginally less dark than the right, but it's still there.

It might be considered nagging, but it's annoying me almost at a subconscious level: it's as if the LCD screen is bent, with the center part bulging out to me, and somehow my eyes seem to fall for the illusion and put the top and bottom part (when I'm reading, that is) slightly out of focus. Creepy...

[in4m8ionman]

The first n800 that I got (broke) but it had no real noticeable shadowing on either side - the new one has slightly more on the right - but it is not bad enough for me to take it back.

j

[zlatoust]

Mine had this "curtain" effect on the right edge of the screen too, and a very slightly darker area in the top left corner. I should agree, as small nuisance as it be, it was surprisingly annoying when reading ebooks in FBReader, especially since it attempts to utilize every drop of screen estate and prints text with virtually no margins at all (by default, you can change it). The screen on my N800 looked exactly the same as on 770 in this respect. And I was really hoping this would be fixed in N800. Alas...

[Zhe]

I'm thinking of getting the n800 to use FBreader, so this is discouraging. Does changing the background color make the uneven light less of a nuisance?

[Texrat]

The shadow is only really noticeable on a white background.

[Karel Jansens]

The shadow is only really noticeable on a white background.

Not really. It's not noticeable on a very dark background, but visible (for different values of $irritation$) on any other background.

[Texrat]

Ok, for sake of argument, let me qualify my statement: it depends on the severity of the shadow.

[Karel Jansens]

Ok, for sake of argument, let me qualify my statement: it depends on the severity of the shadow.

I tried playing around with the background colours in FBReader and, other than setting it to black (which is not exactly making things better, obviously), I could not find a workeable shade that made me go, "Hey! this looks good."

[Texrat]

...

Karel, I'm referring to the broad array of severity I've seen across many, many devices. Some have no noticeable shadow. Some have too much. Most are in between.

I honestly thought what I meant was easily obvious...

[Karel Jansens]

...

Karel, I'm referring to the broad array of severity I've seen across many, many devices. Some have no noticeable shadow. Some have too much. Most are in between.

I honestly thought what I meant was easily obvious...

I'm just messin' wid ya. :D
(but the shading is a still a tad irritating -- to me. I'll probably get used to it, especially as I'm going to use poor NokiLLO less and less)

[ebunny]

My N800 has a slight uneven dark shadowing on the right side also I thought it was just me, I think it must be a design flaw in the device if we all notice it.

[jpj]

My N800 has a slight uneven dark shadowing on the right side also I thought it was just me, I think it must be a design flaw in the device if we all notice it.

If you turn the device a little toward the left, does the shadow go away? Most likely. It's just slightly uneven backlighting. Calling it a design flaw is a bit harsh. Almost all LCD displays have it to some extent, except for those with ultra expensive, high color gamut LCD backlighting. I'm picky too, but in this form factor, price range and resolution, I doubt you'll find better.

[Texrat]

jpj is correct as to the cause. It's just the manifestation that has varied so much (and I've seen just about every state I'm sure). Given that some LCDs exhibit virtually no noticeable shadowing, it's obviously possible to achieve that state in every single device shipped. It's just a matter of the LCD supplier establishing a more consistent quality process.

[Schprlock]

Mine has the same problem and it is extremely anoying. I still have the 770 and the screen is much better that the N800s. It does have a pattern (touch layer) that the N800 doesn't have, but the backligh is very regular.
On my N800 I have about 2cm that are much darker than the rest.
I am probably going to try to tak it back. I am usualy not very picky but it is very noticeable in mine.

[XM40]

Has anyone contacted Nokia to see if this is a warrantee fix? Problem in sending them in is they tend to send you back a refurb unit.

[haliava]

Has anyone contacted Nokia to see if this is a warrantee fix?

Well, I did with a unit just out of the shop. Shop refused to take it, Nokia told first that it is due to scratches on the screen, after I've put it to their attention that scratches are on the in-box protective film second answer was that it is due to mechanical damage to screen 'cause I e.g. have been sitting on it while in pocket. So not covered by warranty, offer to replace the screen for euro 170. Took it back in as is condition, have that nice answer in writing and final recommendation to come to state consumer protection agency and sue Nokia if I feel like it. Feeling pretty pissed off sincerely.