Key Takeaways:
- A monitor black uniformity test is a test in which a pure black background fills the entire screen. The test reveals areas of backlight bleed, clouding, dimming, or other monitor uniformity issues.
- To perform a test, look for a photo or video that will fill your screen with an entire image of pure black. Some tests will include a uniformity test pattern, such as a crosshair or boxes.
- Brightness uniformity is vital to designers, photographers, or anyone interested in deeper blacks when gaming or watching a scene in a particularly dark film.
Performing a monitor black uniformity test can be helpful when checking for backlight bleed or clouding at times when black and white uniformity seems uneven. If you use your monitor in the dark, you are more liable to notice any display uniformity issues than in a bright one. Many people have different standards when it comes to backlight bleed. However, running a test is a simple procedure that can keep dark content on your favorite monitor from looking blotchy or distractingly muddled.
But if you’re experiencing lag on your display, you’ll need a separate device to test it. Our resource article on how to fix an input lag monitor has more info.
Why Perform A Uniformity Test?
Color uniformity and brightness are crucial not just to people who want to avoid splotchy areas when they stream a pitch-black horror movie. For photographers, errors in brightness can lead to potential misjudgment of lighting and shadow. Designers could face a similar issue if it seems that some areas of pixels appear discolored or inaccurate in an image.
How To Check For Monitor Black Uniformity
Performing an all-over display uniformity test can be as simple as opening a purely black image on full screen on your computer monitor. Taking a photo of the screen will help catch clouding that your eye cannot. Do this directly in front of the screen instead of at an angle. A black image or video containing white squares or crosses in the right and left corners can detect screen uniformity and color uniformity issues by using an image or video with white squares or crosses in the right and left corners and edges of the display. By comparing the sections of white to each other, you are likely to notice portions of varying brightness or dimming.
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Uniformity on LCD Screens
Unfortunately, lack of uniformity is a trait in all LCD screens and cannot be 100% avoided in these units. It is even possible for two monitors of the same model to have different monitor uniformity. There is nothing that can be done to remedy this besides purchasing another monitor entirely. Ideally, it’d be best to see and compare any difference in the color reproduction quality of the two monitors prior to purchasing them.
STAT:
In the LCD monitor, the thin glass sheets adhere with a gap of 4 – 5 micrometers. Since the opening is tiny, it may be uneven in some places. This is what causes distortion and unevenness. (nec-display.com)
Sources:
- https://tech.ebu.ch/docs/techreview/trev_2009-Q2_DisplayMeasurement_CBC.pdf
- https://www.benq.com/en-us/knowledge-center/knowledge/screen-uniformity.html
- https://www.xrite.com/service-support/displayqualityanduniformitywhatdotheydo
- https://color.viewsonic.com/explore/content/Uniformity_3.html
- https://www.damiensymonds.net/simple-screen-uniformity-check/
- http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download;jsessionid=DE164F81475161760EEEBD6BBBAD6228?doi=10.1.1.186.4622&rep=rep1&type=pdf
