These two affects can spoil your monitor enjoyment so it’s worth being aware of them. If you don’t like your monitor’s performance remember you are entitled to return it within 7 days (assuming you bought in online) so it’s something to test when you first purchase your new monitor.
Many probably don’t notice these affects and go on to live with it, perhaps assuming it is just how all monitors look. Some people don’t seem to be that bothered by the light problems but for others it is the only think they care about!
My view? Well if it bothers you then by all means seek a replacement or a different model, but if you’ve never noticed it before and have only happened upon this page because you saw someone else moaning about it then you can probably get on with you gaming life.
That said, if you are paying for a premium monitor – you should make sure it performs as expected.
What is backlight bleed?
All LCD screens need a light source behind the screen (for example an LED), and, in theory, the LCD blocks the light from coming through when not needed. This gives you a nice black screen. Backlight bleeding occurs when this doesn’t happen as well as it should and the light bleeds through, typically around the edges. When you view a black screen you may see light patches.
What can I do? Turning down the brightness of the screen might help. It’s worth experimenting with this anyway as having screens too bright can tire your eyes. If the problem is serious and way beyond normal expectations then it could actually be a fault with the monitor build itself. If this is the case then you would be within your rights to return as faulty, there is not much else you can do I’m afraid.
What is IPS Glow?
IPS glow is slightly different. This effect is again the appearance of light “glowing” areas that can distort colours but you will find that the effect changes depending on the angle you view the screen and how close you are. Obviously this is specific to IPS panel monitors!
What can I do? This is actually a feature of the technology and some models will handle this better than others. If you find this really bugs you then you might have to seek out a different model and hope your retailer offers you a refund. Note that some people never even notice this effect, others seem to be constantly worried about it. If you can be in the former group then your monitor buying experience will be much easier!
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