Weird Problem with my new DELL U3014

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neojam

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63
Hi guys,

after being undecisive for quite a while I finally bought myself DELL u3014.
The display arrived today and after unboxing and setting it up, i've noticed a problem which currently driving me nuts...

Some areas of display have like 1pixel-broad horizontal lines, where image appears to be brighter (in those lines). The problem persist form all viewing angles.

Those areas look something like this:
(You need to view it with native resolution of your display to see the effect. Otherwise 1px gaps will look weird because of interpolation)
002prob.png


So some areas of my display show perfect and smooth color gradients like in left image, in the other areas i see "lines" like shown on right image.

Here is an image of the entire area of my display. Greens show areas with perfect color gradients, the reds show areas where i see the lines. The best gradients appear to be in upper right corner, the worst area with most visible lines is in lovver left corner:
001Diplayarea.png


Anyone have an idea wtf it is?

Also if you happen to have Dell u3014 display, could you download that image (2560x1600) and check if it looks the same in all areas of your display? Check if you can see any weird lines or breaks in color gradients:
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/neod3m/media/test.png.html?sort=3&o=2

P.S.
The Display is connected with original Dell DVI cable to my GTX570. I already checked the menu-options of my display, but couldn't fix the weird lines.
 
Hi Largactil,

just tried the tests form your post and i have no problems with seeing different levels of blacks on my unit. All steps/changes on brightness scale are perfectly visible.

Anyway could you test your replacement unit for the problem with scan-lines, that i've described in this thread after it arrives? I already found 2 other people on DELL forum with the same problem.
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/peripherals/f/3529/t/19502072.aspx
 
I just returned my U3014 to DELL.:mad:


I had similar problem .
I took some photo about the defect and sent it to DELL.
But DELL consider it was normal.
So they only promise to replace with brand new once.
Maybe the DELL warranty policy is different in TAIWAN.


Here is some photo took by cell phone.
GTX670 output 1920 x 1200 use clone mode for U3014 and 2707WFP.
U3014 use 1 : 1 scale mode,but same problem under 2560 x 1600.
There is no difference for DL-DVI , DisplayPort or HDMI.
All got same weird grid on U3014.


Photo 1 ~ 3 , From my defect U3014.
You can find some weird grid or color shit every 3 pixel in a row.
%25E6%2596%25B0%25E7%259A%2584U3014%2520IMG_3285.JPG

%25E6%2596%25B0%25E7%259A%2584U3014%2520IMG_3318.JPG

%25E6%2596%25B0%25E7%259A%2584U3014%2520IMG_3309.JPG

Here is the link for full size photo https://picasaweb.google.com/103792838221644016153/U3014Defect?authuser=0&feat=directlink



Photo 4 ~ 6 , From my old 2707WFP.
No weird grid.
%25E8%2588%258A%25E7%259A%2584DELL%25202707%2520IMG_3305.JPG

%25E8%2588%258A%25E7%259A%2584DELL%25202707%2520IMG_3331.JPG

%25E8%2588%258A%25E7%259A%2584DELL%25202707%2520IMG_3310.JPG




Picture 7 ~ 9 , Direct screenshot.
No weird grid.
%25E7%259B%25B4%25E6%258E%25A5%25E6%258A%2593%25E5%259C%2596%2520Screenshot691.jpg

%25E7%259B%25B4%25E6%258E%25A5%25E6%258A%2593%25E5%259C%2596%2520eurogamer_web.png

%25E7%259B%25B4%25E6%258E%25A5%25E6%258A%2593%25E5%259C%2596%2520Screenshot692.jpg
 
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louiszzz, I also don't have this problem my old 24'' EIZO and 24'' Benq displays so its definitely not "normal". Also if it was "normal", how will DELL explain that not entire area of the display is affected?

Anyway i hope the replacement unit will solve the problem for you. I found a post from another customer over at dell's forums, he wrote that his replacement display doesn't have this problem.

If you're interested, here is the thread abut this problem over at DELL's forums:
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/peripherals/f/3529/p/19502072/20345874.aspx#20345874

There are more people with U3014 and this problem.
 
xoleras said:
The level of silliness here blows my mind sometimes. Screen capture software does not capture screen defects. Screen capture software such as those used to collect these gifs, which oddly enough - none of which were taken with a digital camera directly of the monitor face - collects output directly from a graphics adapter and has no bearing on the monitor used. What you see IS NOT WHAT YOU GET (in terms of display defects) when using a screen capture. Even if such an anomoly existed screen capture software will not show it.

And then, even more hilarious, 1920x1200 on a 1600p monitor. Are you even serious? :rolleyes: Of course non native resolution has interpolation.
Click to expand...

I see photos, no screenshots.

Besides...
1 : 1 scale mode
Click to expand...

Meaning: 1920x1200 with black bars. So no interpolation.
 
DELL finally recognized the issue.
Apparently whole batches of U3014 are affected, so if you got a U3014 (especially RevA01 Feb 2013), I suggest you check it for the above problem.
Though getting a replacement wont get you anywhere, since DELL has no U3014 Displays without the problem ATM.
So much for the "premium quality display" and quality assurance...

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/peripherals/f/3529/t/19502072.aspx


Posted by DELL-Chris M replied on 04-17-2013 9:22 AM

We just saw the issue in the lab yesterday and sent it to the manufacturer. It will take several weeks before they can isolate root cause. We will then discuss the cost of fixing the issue which will take more time.
Click to expand...
Posted by DELL-Chris M replied on 04-17-2013 4:34 PM

I can only speak for the Americas policies, but if a fix is found, the first ones fixed would be new ones. So here in the Americas, we would issue a new exchange. For now, getting any exchange will not help.
Click to expand...
Posted by DELL-Chris M replied on 18 Apr 2013 3:38 PM
Getting an exchange now will result in you getting a monitor with the same issue. As I said, this will take us several weeks to find root cause. Then we will have to discuss possible fixes. Then a fix has to be put into place. That is why I cannot provide an ETA on a fix. Returning the monitor is your option but do it quickly. I think you only have 21 or 30 days from the invoice date to do this.
Click to expand...
 
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That's one of the things I noticed when I got my monitor because the lower left portion is where the icons are usually. Thought there were some faint horizontal lines, so I took a closer look and also noticed the vertical ones as well, which kinda makes sense since it's a matrix/grid of pixels.

Took a closer look at the U3011 and noticed the same matrix/grid, just that it is less obvious. This I attributed to the difference in the AG coatings on the U3014 and U3011. The clearer coating on the U3014 made it easier to see the pixels because there's less distortion from the AG coating.
I guess you could try placing a matte phone screen protector over the screen and see if you still observe the "scan lines".

Anyway, I don't sit that close to the monitor and from the distance that I view the monitor, I don't notice the so called "scan lines".
 
There is no visible vertical lines on my screen.
If you need to get so close to the screen to see any lines, then your u3014 doesn't have that problem. And no, Its not the pixel matrix (which is visible on every display if you look close enough).
 
Has the problem been solved now?

My new U3014 (A01, Feb 13) has got the same problem as shown in the first post.
 
A Dell employee stated that revision A02 fixes the problem. It is not clear when Dell will ship A02 units.
 
KenF said:
A Dell employee stated that revision A02 fixes the problem. It is not clear when Dell will ship A02 units.
Click to expand...

Nope, its still not fixed in A02:

Posted by DELL-Chris M replied on 06-05-2013 12:56 PM

My apologies. I was mistaken about what the revisions fixed. We do not have a fix for the h-lines issue yet. Hold off on all monitor exchanges.
A00 to A01
* Hardware change to correct the USB 3.0 charging behavior
A01 to A02
* Turn off SVE (Smart Video Enhance) to address the random color temperature shifts
Click to expand...
pure comedy...
 
I'd ignore that guys advice to, "Hold off on all monitor exchanges." If you're still within the 30 day return window, send it back. After that, you'll just get refurbished monitors in an exhcange, and it will probably take quite some time before the "fixed" screens make it that far.
 
I bought myself a brand new U3014 a couple of hours ago. Unfortunately it has the exact same h-lines issue just like the OP. Lower left portion of the screen is highly affected, upper right is OK.

My unit also has other 'popular' defects as well, like backlight bleed from corners, RTC overshoot etc.

After having read all those bad comments I wasn't expecting a 100% problem free monitor but I wasn't expecting such a bad quality monitor either. To be honest, I find it extremely shocking that my cheap Viewsonic VX2336S has much higher quality display.

All I can say is wow. It pains me to say this but you better stay away from this monitor.
 
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RadXge said:
So, it is a hardware issue that cannot be fixed through a firmware update?
Click to expand...
Unknown. Dell does not release firmware monitor updates to the public (too great a risk of "bricking" an expensive device).
 
jolli said:
I'd ignore that guys advice to, "Hold off on all monitor exchanges." If you're still within the 30 day return window, send it back. After that, you'll just get refurbished monitors in an exhcange, and it will probably take quite some time before the "fixed" screens make it that far.
Click to expand...

How did you check for the H Line issues? I got this monitor and am having a hard time testing for this.
 
dpoverlord said:
How did you check for the H Line issues? I got this monitor and am having a hard time testing for this.
Click to expand...

I don't understand this mentality. If you go looking for a problem, you're bound to find at least 1 in every single monitor.

So if your U3014 looks fine to you, then enjoy it! It's only an "issue" if it detracts from your enjoyment...

my 2 cents.
 
I received today my new (not refurbished) Dell U3014 REV A02, May 2013 (China). It was a warranty exchange from a U3011 that simply died after 2 years. So far, the only issue I can experience is minor scanning lines on lower left corner. No ghosting or other issues mentioned on various Dell support threads. I'm on Windows 8 and I used the TFT Central ICC profile. The bleeding is fairly minimal compared to my perfect U3011, which I'm really surprised. I expected to see major bleeding spots on let/right lower corners.

I'm going to keep this screen for a while until REV A03 is out and see if Dell really fixed the scan lines.
If possible, can you please let me know how do I check what panel model I have? I'll post it as reference for others users.
 
dpoverlord said:
How did you get them to give you a U3014 instead of a U3011?
Click to expand...
They send me first 2 refurbished U3011 replacements with major defects.
First screen had the half of screen showing green lines, while using their original cables or mines:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT_ffdL_sZo

Second replacement was even worse. Out of the box and without even plugging the screen to a PC, there was an issue.
The screen was dieing also, after 60 seconds of leaving it on:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfAxMBvBPxM

I talked to a manager and asked politely if is possible to get a new item because the bad luck I had. He accepted to send me a brand new U3011 instead of a refurbished item. Next day he called me again and let me know that they don't sell anymore U3011 and he will provide me instead with a new U3014. I guess I was lucky.
 
update:
Posted by DELL-Chris M 16 Aug 2013 9:24 AM

Engineering has stated that A03 corrected the horizontal lines issues. As of today (8/16/13), the only way to get the A03 is through a used/refurbished monitor exchange. This is only for Americas customers. Service stocks for other regions are still being revised to A03. No resellers will have A03. The used/refurbished exchange must be done through Dell. New purchase stock will not be at A03 until October.
Click to expand...
bummer...
 
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