[razza85]

I have a small query. Recently (last 2-3 weeks) when I use Front Row to watch DVDs I've noticed that the bottom left and right-hand corners is brighter than the rest of the screen on my iMac (see sig for details of my iMac). It becomes more apparent when I turn off the light to the room and watch a film in complete darkness, cinema style. I have only noticed this oddity recently so I don't know how long this has persisted. It may have been present since I purchased the computer in July last year or it may have gradually developed over time until the point where it was discernible. I don't know because I don't use Front Row often.

Here is the best picture from a series of photos I took to show you what I'm talking about. Note that the brightness in the corners are more apparent than what the photo suggests.


Clearly my camera skills suck lol.

Has anyone here have/had similar issues? Should I be concerned or is this normal? I'm sorry if this sounds unnecessarily anal but I forked out $2399 for this baby and I want to know if I got a dud, if this is a defect or if this is just completely normal during the computer's life.

[craigc]

Not normal at all. Call Apple, and get it fixed.

[razza85]

Anyone else of the same opinion or who suggest otherwise?

[Huy]

"Normal" my friend. Light leakage.

Happens on my iMac (Mid 2007) too.

Least it's not as bad as this (MBP):

[razza85]

Light leakage you say? How does that happen?

[Huy]

Maybe it's got some tight screws which can distort it. I am no expert here.

If you're unhappy, give Apple a call. Though it doesn't bother me on mine since I don't look at it in the dark or with full blacks.

[craigc]

I have a friend with an iMac that has it on one corner but not the other. They regret not getting it fixed when it is under warranty.

I personally wouldn't put up with it. You are paying too much money to have an issue like that.

I have lots of cheap LCD monitors for my PC's and none of them have that issue - why should you put up with it on a Mac.

[leon]

You can try your luck in getting it fixed, but it is pretty normal. Most of my LCD apple products do this, even my brand new 24" iMac.

The only product which does not do this is my 23" aluminium cinema display.

[NORMANDY]

Originally Posted by razza85

I have a small query. Recently (last 2-3 weeks) when I use Front Row to watch DVDs I've noticed that the bottom left and right-hand corners is brighter than the rest of the screen on my iMac (see sig for details of my iMac). It becomes more apparent when I turn off the light to the room and watch a film in complete darkness, cinema style. I have only noticed this oddity recently so I don't know how long this has persisted. It may have been present since I purchased the computer in July last year or it may have gradually developed over time until the point where it was discernible. I don't know because I don't use Front Row often.

Here is the best picture from a series of photos I took to show you what I'm talking about. Note that the brightness in the corners are more apparent than what the photo suggests.


Clearly my camera skills suck lol.

Has anyone here have/had similar issues? Should I be concerned or is this normal? I'm sorry if this sounds unnecessarily anal but I forked out $2399 for this baby and I want to know if I got a dud, if this is a defect or if this is just completely normal during the computer's life.

so did you get it fixed.

I have the very same issue on one of my imacs....... all other screens, 17 inch mac book pro, 30 inch displays, 20 inch imacs.... do not... only this one.... I am wondering if I should call apple to get it fixed....

[razza85]

No, I decided not to bother with it. I use this computer for uni and work so I can't go down to my local NextByte or call up Apple (no Apple stores in Tassie ) to arrange to get the light leakage repaired. I've done some searching in the official Apple support boards and a number of other Apple/Mac enthusiast forums and have found out that Apple have this problem right across their range of aluminium iMacs (2007-2009 models) and that even their own showroom iMacs exhibit this flaw too. Sending it in to fix it may actually result in more problems too. A number of people on EVERY forum I visited complained that when they received their repaired iMac they noticed a small amount of broken pixels, light leakage in other areas of the screen and even light leakage RETURNING after a period of time if their repaired iMac had no additional problems once it was returned to the owner. I've seen pictures posted on some forums that showed much worser light leakage than what I have. In fact I would probably call my little problem "mild". It's not off-putting and I hardly notice it day to day except when I use Front Row when the screen is black and the room is dark. The problem may get worse over time or it might not. I don't know. But if it does then I'll have to buy Apple Care to extend the warranty and get it fixed IF I ABSOLUTELY MUST DO SO.

But just out of interest to those who have sent in their iMacs or other Apple computers that are still under warranty to Apple or NextByte (with or without Apple Care), is there any price involved?

[NORMANDY]

well I just rang Apple, and sent them my screen shot, which is worse than yours, and they said its operating within normal parameters, they did go into a 15 minute explanation of why this happens.. but said its completely normal on an Imac display, only the old and new cinema displays have "stuff" to prevent this.. get what you pay for I guess. They did say the new LED ones should not do this.

[razza85]

Normal parameters?! I wonder what they define "normal parameters" as? lol

And what do you mean by "the new LED ones should no do this"?

EDIT: Thanks for sharing.

[NORMANDY]

Originally Posted by razza85

Normal parameters?! I wonder what they define "normal parameters" as? lol

And what do you mean by "the new LED ones should no do this"?

EDIT: Thanks for sharing.

ALL NEW displays are LED backlit, and thus should not do this light bleeding thing... all older displays were Fluro backlit.

[razza85]

So 2009 revision iMacs have displays that are LED backlit? If that's the case, why have I come across a number of commenters from a number of Apple/Mac forums who have light bleeding in their 2009 revision iMacs?

[NORMANDY]

dont ask me? only the messenger.... guess they might not know everything ? ;-)

[leon]

Originally Posted by razza85

So 2009 revision iMacs have displays that are LED backlit? If that's the case, why have I come across a number of commenters from a number of Apple/Mac forums who have light bleeding in their 2009 revision iMacs?

2009 iMac's are still CCFL. The only LED I know about are the laptops and 24" Cinema Display.

[NORMANDY]

another reason not upgrading my imac... waiting till two things... bring back Mat screens (non glossy) and make them LED backlit..... then I will consider an imac... till then no thanks....

[Japester]

Originally Posted by NORMANDY

another reason not upgrading my imac... waiting till two things... bring back Mat screens (non glossy) and make them LED backlit..... then I will consider an imac... till then no thanks....

There will be LED-screened iMacs, but you ain't gettin' no matte.

[NORMANDY]

well dont count your chickens yet.... thats changing......... just have to wait 6 months... or less...

[razza85]

And fork out another $2000+ for an iMac?! lol

I'll stick with this one, thankyou.

I imagine we will see the true next generation of iMacs next year to coincide with the release of Snow Leopard in a couple months' time. Although I wouldn't be surprised if Apple releases a new line (or an updated line) of iMacs around the time Snow Leopard is released. It would make sense to do so IMO.