Backlight bleed on LCD TV?

**Liz** · 16-Dec-07, 14:04

I treated myself to an LCD TV recently and have been really pleased with it.

However, during nighttime viewing I have been getting a bit of light 'seeping' through into the top left hand corner of the screen during dark scenes. Can see this really getting on my nerves!

It does seem to vary according to programme.

I checked a blank channel and there is a slightly lighter 'cloud' showing in the top left hand corner which gets less the nearer the screen I go.

Not having had an LCD before I'm not sure whether this is normal?

So would much appreciate advice from those of you with LCD TVs.

Thanks!

**angela5** · 16-Dec-07, 14:20

Found this liz

http://www.pchardwarehelp.com/guides...t-bleeding.php

**Liz** · 16-Dec-07, 18:27

Cheers for that Angela.

Not really sure whether it is blacklight bleed or just what the backlight looks like?

**EDDIE** · 16-Dec-07, 23:53

i have sony 32 and i have no back light problems at all i would get it exchanged u didnt pay for that and i would not accept that is normal because it isnt

**Liz** · 16-Dec-07, 23:59

Thanks Eddie.

Strangely it hasn't been so bad tonight and the screen has been more 'uniform'. The blacks in Strictly Come Dancing were really good tonight so wonder whether much of it depends on the quality of the blacks in each programme?
Just hoping it stays like this as, apart from this,it is a brilliant TV.

What are the blacks like on your TV Eddie?

**Boozeburglar** · 17-Dec-07, 01:51

How 'recently' is recent? Where did you buy it from?

You could certainly argue the case for a refund or replacement, though I would suggest that it might be a common problem with certain models, and you might be better doing some research first so you make the right decision.

Try www.avforums.com, their forums have a lot of info., and you may be able to find lots on your model specifically if you do a search.

Here is a link for the LCD tv section, good luck!

http://www.avforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=155

**Liz** · 17-Dec-07, 13:48

Originally Posted by Boozeburglar

How 'recently' is recent? Where did you buy it from?

You could certainly argue the case for a refund or replacement, though I would suggest that it might be a common problem with certain models, and you might be better doing some research first so you make the right decision.

Try www.avforums.com, their forums have a lot of info., and you may be able to find lots on your model specifically if you do a search.

Here is a link for the LCD tv section, good luck!

http://www.avforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=155

I bought it two weeks ago from Colin Chessor(who I will get in contact with now).

I use AV Forums a lot and have already asked on there but it is a really confusing issue with some saying it is on every LCD to others saying it shouldn't be there at all.
It does definitely vary with the quality of the broadcast and the blacks.

It is such a shame as it spoils a really good TV!

The problem is if it is taken away to be exchanged I won't have a TV!!! There is no way I could do without a TV even for a few days!

Could do with winning some money and buying another!

**EDDIE** · 17-Dec-07, 18:06

Originally Posted by Liz

Thanks Eddie.

Strangely it hasn't been so bad tonight and the screen has been more 'uniform'. The blacks in Strictly Come Dancing were really good tonight so wonder whether much of it depends on the quality of the blacks in each programme?
Just hoping it stays like this as, apart from this,it is a brilliant TV.

What are the blacks like on your TV Eddie?

Blacks on mine are spot on but i have freeview built into the tv and thats what i get but when u buy a lcd u try to get a high contrast ratio i think mines is about 5000 to 1 thats what makes a difference with the colours but when i bought my lcd i had to alter the brightness and colour contrast to a custom setting the defaults settings i didnt like.
Just as a matter of interest if use your dvd player using a scart the quality is rubbish because there is more lines in the lcd to an old tv u have to get another dvd player which has a hdmi connection and it upscales the dvd to near high def and makes a difference.
And the other thing as well i bought a playstaion 3 so i can play games and watch blu ray high def films on the lcd and when u watch a high def movie then go back to watching freeview it makes freeview quality rubbish and playing games on a lcd is really good
Is your programs going through a skybox or freeview box first then going to the tv in scart form that would explain why ure not happy

**EDDIE** · 17-Dec-07, 18:48

The other thing as well if u have just bought the tv and your in doubt it might be worthwhile takeing out a 5 year breakdown cover from the shop u bought it from u should still be able to get it after a certain number days after u bought because the bog standard guarntee that comes with lcd means if it breaks down u have to post it away to get fixed were a 5 year cover from a shop they will come out and fix it at your home its with considering?

**Liz** · 17-Dec-07, 19:15

Thanks again Eddie.

The contrast ratio on my TV is about 8000:1. I have to say that the blacks are really good and the problem is more when there is a really dark background but think this may be a lot to do with the broadcast as it seems to vary from programme to programme. I sid change the settings from the default settings as these were too bright for me.

It does have inbuilt Freeview but I have a Humax PVR connected by a really good scart lead so I watch through this most of the time as the picture is slightly better.
I have an upscaling DVD Player which is connected by a really good HDmi cable.
I got a free 5 year warranty with the TV which is great.

I have found on AV Forums that turning the backlight level down a wee bit might help but you have to use the Service Menu and not sure whether this would invalidate the warranty? I have contacted Panasonic to find out.

I have contacted Colin Chessor and have to say their customer service (thanks to Dawn!) is really good.

I know that nothing much can be done now due to the holidays but hopefully things will settle down.
Other than this it is a stunning TV which is only let down by poor broadcasts!

**Boozeburglar** · 17-Dec-07, 19:18

I would consider it a fault and return it, personally.

It is uneven and if the backlight bleeds at all at high settings it should be uniform at least, and therefore you can get rid of it by turning it down.

A good Progressive Scan DVD with a quality scart will be fine at the lower end of the HD requirements.

**Boozeburglar** · 17-Dec-07, 19:20

Crikey you have to use the service menu?

Mine has 16 levels in the Picture Setup, are you sure?

Which model?

**Liz** · 17-Dec-07, 19:45

Originally Posted by Boozeburglar

Crikey you have to use the service menu?

Mine has 16 levels in the Picture Setup, are you sure?

Which model?

Yes afraid so!

It is a Panasonic 32LXD700 and there is nothing in the menu to change the backlight settings. You are right in saying that the backlight is uneven but when I go up close to the TV it looks even!

**JEBriskham** · 17-Dec-07, 23:14

Liz - I've just bought a Panasonic TH-37PX70 which is the Plasma version. I did a lot of research before going for this plasma model and went for it as clouding, or backlight bleeding, is seemingly quite common in LCD's. I'm not an expert on this, and can only go on what I've read (as I've never owned an LCD) but it seemingly varies between sets and is caused by the back-light escaping from behind the panel, and you seemingly see it most in the corners. I'm not too sure re your query re invalidating the warranty if you enter the services menu, but if you find out can you let me know as I want to try down-scaling mine by 2 or 3%, and that can only be done from the services menu as well.

**Liz** · 17-Dec-07, 23:21

I have 'spoken' to a few people with the same TV and they don't have any backlight bleed so it just seems I've been unlucky.

Thankfully it's not too bad but enough to be annoying!

I have asked Panasonic about accessing the service menu and will let you know when they reply. Although they are a wee bit slow just now.

Do you know how to access the Service Menu? I was told to hold down the F on the top of the Tv and press 0 three times but this just brought up a demo of Motion Pro.
Then someone else said to hold down -/v and do the same thing but nothing happened!

What do you think of the Plasma? I am beginning to wonder whether I should have gone for this as well but read that Plasma pictures can be a bit 'softer' than LCDs?

If only I could get rid of this backlight problem then the TV would be almost perfect!

Can I be cheeky and ask why you want to turn the backlight down?

**EDDIE** · 17-Dec-07, 23:36

i had a goodmans tapless recorder with freeview in it i used to use until i got an lcd the picture quality wasnt good so i ended up bining it if ure useing a Humax PVR and if its going to the lcd via a scart that might be part of your problem because the lcd has more lines in it than an old tv that why i had to get rid of my one i noticed u can get these freeview boxes now with an hdmi upscaler in them.
If i was u i would definatley not put up with the back light thats not normal i would annoy the shop until its fixed i honestly have no back light what so ever and your the first person that i know of that has the problem

**Liz** · 17-Dec-07, 23:40

I really don't think that the Humax PVR will be causing the problem as I know a lot of people who have this connected to an LCD with no problem.
It is on inbuilt Freeview and HDmi channels as well.

I have been asking on forums and, unfortunately, there are a lot of people with backlight problems on LCD to greater or lesser degree.
I am not sure whether I should exchange it for a Plasma.
The thing is, apart from this problem, I really love this TV!

**Liz** · 17-Dec-07, 23:42

Originally Posted by EDDIE

i had a goodmans tapless recorder with freeview in it i used to use until i got an lcd the picture quality wasnt good so i ended up bining it if ure useing a Humax PVR and if its going to the lcd via a scart that might be part of your problem because the lcd has more lines in it than an old tv that why i had to get rid of my one i noticed u can get these freeview boxes now with an hdmi upscaler in them.
If i was u i would definatley not put up with the back light thats not normal i would annoy the shop until its fixed i honestly have no back light what so ever and your the first person that i know of that has the problem

What TV do you have Eddie?

**EDDIE** · 18-Dec-07, 00:09

i have sony bravio 32 i bought it last year so it will probably be a lower spec to the new ones one of the worst thing these days is the minute u buy something its out of date.