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(10.7.1 update: no good) Getting the Dell u2211h to work properly on a 2010 Mac Mini
- Thread starter dolphin842
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I had the exact same problem in July when I purchased a Dell with 6bit+FRC IPS display, the ST2220T (yeah, glossy display 😉. It had vertical pinstriping that drove me nuts. This was on a Mac mini 2010 with 320M. It was a perfect display with nice colors, no dead pixels, quiet. Then I looked at some solid colors and saw the pinstriping. Every time I altered contrast or brightness, the pinstriping would move away from a certain color, but moved to the next shade of that color. Returned that display, but took more than a 1,5 month to get my money back. Now I'm in need of a fair priced HD monitor. I'm still using my old Eizo L557, which only has 1024x1280 resolution. Driving me nuts searching for a good panel. Might as well splash the cash for a 8 bit panel. I will also be upgrading to Core i5 Mac mini with the 6630M. And was thinking of buying the Asus PA238Q with it, although cannot find a reliable seller in the Netherlands.
Can anyone tell me if this problem still persist on the Mac mini 2011 with ATI graphics? I want to buy a 6bit + FRC IPS if pin-striping is gone. Or else I have to buy an 8bit IPS screen. Please, anyone? This is so annoying.
I'm still using the 2010 nvidia mini, but the problem has been mitigated for the most part in the latest point release (I can sleep/wake the display and the pinstriping goes away, no unplugging required!). I'd wait to get confirmation from someone with an actual Radeon mini before jumping in though.
Too bad one cannot change the title of this thread, because with a better one more people would notice it and investigate.
DewGuy1999
macrumors 68040
I've tried... it won't let me edit the thread title anymore, just the heading for the original post 😕. At some point when I have some time, I plan on either asking a mod to move this to the Peripherals forum and rename it something more general, or just start a new thread there.
DewGuy1999
macrumors 68040
Indeed. Here's a screenshot of what I can do. The 'Title' field only gets applied to the title of the post, not the thread.
Attachments
DewGuy1999
macrumors 68040
That's weird. I just tried it with one of my old threads and it behaved the same way. Must be a bug in the vBulletin forums software.
dell u2311H + 2011 mini with AMD 6630m
Hi guys
This is for The Man and anyone else thinking of upgrading to the new mini with the dell monitor.
Im using the dell u2311h as the title would suggest and the latest 2011 mini with AMD graphics and I have none of the problems you guys are having.
My configuration is the mini using the supplied thunderbolt/mini display adaptor and DVI - DVI cable supplied with the monitor.
No problems, this monitor rocks. I feel for you guys having problems because for me this is one of the best products I have ever purchased, love this monitor.
A little more info that may be of use to people who stumble across this thread. I have also in the last year used this monitor with my blackbook, (the last black macbook 2.4duo and crappy intel graphics) and my 7 year old G5 (totally forget the graphics card details) and have not seen any of the issues you guys are experiencing.
If there are any other details I can give or tests I can do that will help you make a better informed purchase let me know.
Hi guys
This is for The Man and anyone else thinking of upgrading to the new mini with the dell monitor.
Im using the dell u2311h as the title would suggest and the latest 2011 mini with AMD graphics and I have none of the problems you guys are having.
My configuration is the mini using the supplied thunderbolt/mini display adaptor and DVI - DVI cable supplied with the monitor.
No problems, this monitor rocks. I feel for you guys having problems because for me this is one of the best products I have ever purchased, love this monitor.
A little more info that may be of use to people who stumble across this thread. I have also in the last year used this monitor with my blackbook, (the last black macbook 2.4duo and crappy intel graphics) and my 7 year old G5 (totally forget the graphics card details) and have not seen any of the issues you guys are experiencing.
If there are any other details I can give or tests I can do that will help you make a better informed purchase let me know.
Last edited:
Oh, at last someone who can test some stuff! 🙂
At first I didn't notice the pinstriping on the Dell ST2020T that I bought (and returned). But then it became obvious (certainly because on the glossy panel everything is really sharp.) You notice it looking at uniform colors.
Best is to go to http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/contrast.php Look closely if certain color shades exhibit pin striping or dithering artifacts, like checkered patterns. Changing the brightness of your display will move the artifacts around to other shades of the colors. This should be enough to check.
You will also see it when opening up a color wheel, like the standard Mac OS X one. Certain colors will have dithering / pin striping effect. And if you change the brightness of the color wheel, the effect will move around to different color shades.
dzero again
Hi guys
The man, I have just had a chance to look at the link from your last post and again I see no problems with my set up. I tried each swatch from the upper navigation and they all look perfect.
Is there a specific tone that I can use in psd or ai that would display the problem?
Im a designer and spent 10 hours a day behind this monitor and mini and would like to think I would see any display problems using blocks of colour, grey, black or white but I don't.
Is there an RGB value you can give me to look at in photoshop that should display the problem?
Im behind the monitors for the next hour or so, if theres something else I can try let me know mate. I hope I can help.
cheers
Dzero
Hi guys
The man, I have just had a chance to look at the link from your last post and again I see no problems with my set up. I tried each swatch from the upper navigation and they all look perfect.
Is there a specific tone that I can use in psd or ai that would display the problem?
Im a designer and spent 10 hours a day behind this monitor and mini and would like to think I would see any display problems using blocks of colour, grey, black or white but I don't.
Is there an RGB value you can give me to look at in photoshop that should display the problem?
Im behind the monitors for the next hour or so, if theres something else I can try let me know mate. I hope I can help.
cheers
Dzero
Thanks for testing. If the Lagom Contrast test shows all RGB values without any artefact, that's good. Be sure to enlarge the scales on your screen to examine each color closely.
What about the gradient test? Is it smooth? No dithering artefacts? I remember the ST2220 showed some banding in the darker shades.
I cannot give you a specific tone or RGB value. I do remember that if there was a certain color that exhibited the pinstriping, changing the brightness or contrast of the screen would make it disappear, but it would move to a next shade of that color. So the screen settings also play a part.
Again, many thanks. I already have the new Mac mini, and I want to buy a screen before winter really settles in. It's either buying a reasonable priced 6bit IPS display, or go with EIZO 8bit EV2335w. A bit too pricey, because i have other things to buy. But it would never give me a headache. Good quality control. Also 5 years warranty, although only 2 on the backlight I believe.
Hi
The Contrast test is fine, I have zoomed each colour and looked closely and the steps are clear and there are no artefacts.
However you would seem to be right with the gradient. toward the dark end I can see clear vertical Lines or banding if you like. I do have to look hard but there are v lines in stages at the dark end.
This is something I have seen in the past but only with gradients, But not only on this computer and monitor combination.
I have just put the same gradient test on my macbook and the banding is much more obvious on the blackbook.
You guys have been good, but try to be even more specific with what I should look for. The gradient steps as I generally call them are just something I have come to live with, more or less obvious depending on the configuration but always there if I look hard enough. I just want to be sure Im not now looking beyond the problem, if you know what I mean.
The Contrast test is fine, I have zoomed each colour and looked closely and the steps are clear and there are no artefacts.
However you would seem to be right with the gradient. toward the dark end I can see clear vertical Lines or banding if you like. I do have to look hard but there are v lines in stages at the dark end.
This is something I have seen in the past but only with gradients, But not only on this computer and monitor combination.
I have just put the same gradient test on my macbook and the banding is much more obvious on the blackbook.
You guys have been good, but try to be even more specific with what I should look for. The gradient steps as I generally call them are just something I have come to live with, more or less obvious depending on the configuration but always there if I look hard enough. I just want to be sure Im not now looking beyond the problem, if you know what I mean.
All I can say is that you just have to look at different solid colors and look if there are pinstriping lines. Look at some color wheels to see if there pinstriping lines in certain shades. It is a difficult thing, to let someone else do the testing. It is better to have someone with the exact screen and with the 320m graphics come in, because then pinpointing would be easy. So sorry if I cannot be more specific. But I would think that if there were problems, you would have noticed.
On the Dell I used, I connected via HDMI, VGA, and via DVI (hdmi cable to Belkin DVI adapter). VGA had the least problems, but it was still there.
Your gradients seem fine if there is only at the really darker region.
Also wasn't there someone on this thread with Intel graphics and still had the problems? You said you previously had a Blackbook? I was hoping more people would chip in.
On the Dell I used, I connected via HDMI, VGA, and via DVI (hdmi cable to Belkin DVI adapter). VGA had the least problems, but it was still there.
Your gradients seem fine if there is only at the really darker region.
Also wasn't there someone on this thread with Intel graphics and still had the problems? You said you previously had a Blackbook? I was hoping more people would chip in.
I have to say that I don't think the problem is present in this configuration. As a designer I spent many hours each day in illustrator looking at large blocks of flat color in many difference shades depending on the brand and don't see anything that resembles what you guys are seeing. I also spend a lot of time looking at color wheels and again its all fine.
Regarding some of the other concerns from the start of the thread about having sleep wake problems and plugging and un plugging cables I have none of this. This is my fifth mac and 7th monitor in the last ten years and every thing works just as expected.
Here is a full run down of my configuration and cables in case it helps to narrow potential problems.
-Monitor - u2311h (purchased in the EU, doubt it matters) 1 year old this christmas.
-Computer - Mac Mini 2011 (2.5ghz, AMD Radeon HD 6630M 256 MB, Mac OS X Lion 10.7.1)
-Computer 2 - Macbook (black) 2.4 core 2 duo, intel GMA x3100, Mac OS X 10.6.8
-Cables - DVI to DVI (supplied with the Dell) - Hdmi to DVI (supplied with the mini) - MiniDVI to DVI (used with the macbook, the badly over priced official apple one)
-Other, I don't use apple mice or keyboards anymore, I have a logitech wireless mouse and key board with both dongles plugged into the usb hub on the dell.
Overview, I have used this monitors for nearly a year (2-3month with mini, 7-8 months with Blackbook) and the performance is flawless. Ive own an apple cinema display, samsungs, iMacs and others and this thing is the best bang for buck I have ever had.
I guess the best way forward is if other can chime in with details of there configurations that do and don't work so people can assess based on there current and possible future setups if this monitor/s are right for them.
Cheers
Dzero
Regarding some of the other concerns from the start of the thread about having sleep wake problems and plugging and un plugging cables I have none of this. This is my fifth mac and 7th monitor in the last ten years and every thing works just as expected.
Here is a full run down of my configuration and cables in case it helps to narrow potential problems.
-Monitor - u2311h (purchased in the EU, doubt it matters) 1 year old this christmas.
-Computer - Mac Mini 2011 (2.5ghz, AMD Radeon HD 6630M 256 MB, Mac OS X Lion 10.7.1)
-Computer 2 - Macbook (black) 2.4 core 2 duo, intel GMA x3100, Mac OS X 10.6.8
-Cables - DVI to DVI (supplied with the Dell) - Hdmi to DVI (supplied with the mini) - MiniDVI to DVI (used with the macbook, the badly over priced official apple one)
-Other, I don't use apple mice or keyboards anymore, I have a logitech wireless mouse and key board with both dongles plugged into the usb hub on the dell.
Overview, I have used this monitors for nearly a year (2-3month with mini, 7-8 months with Blackbook) and the performance is flawless. Ive own an apple cinema display, samsungs, iMacs and others and this thing is the best bang for buck I have ever had.
I guess the best way forward is if other can chime in with details of there configurations that do and don't work so people can assess based on there current and possible future setups if this monitor/s are right for them.
Cheers
Dzero
Quick question for dolphin842, The reason I found this thread was a quick search to see if anyone is having problems with the 10.7.2 update before I jumped and it looks like you are using it, all good?
Cheers
Dzero
Cheers
Dzero
Thanks dzero for testing. So I will be getting a new monitor at the end of the week. I will post my findings again. Maybe I get the Dell, or some other 6bit IPS instead of the Eizo. So I have money left for proper calibration hardware. I think it is the way to go. Really hope my new mini doesn't run into problems.
No problem mate.
Let us know what you get and how it works. If your mini is the same as mine you should be happy with the dell I have😀.
All the best and let us know.
Cheers
Dzero
Let us know what you get and how it works. If your mini is the same as mine you should be happy with the dell I have😀.
All the best and let us know.
Cheers
Dzero
djc6
macrumors 6502a
Thanks everyone for this thread - potentially saved me some grief. I'm moving from an iMac to a 2011 mac mini because I don't like the iMac display. I'd ordered a U2412m from Dell during their Black Friday sale but cancelled because of a couple comments in this thread. I guess an HP ZR24w is in my future.
I'd ask a mod to change the topic; I saw this thread before and thought it only applied to the u2211h.
I'd ask a mod to change the topic; I saw this thread before and thought it only applied to the u2211h.
On 10.7.2, I get pinstripes on boot, but they go away if I sleep the display and immediately wake it back up. If the display is asleep for more than 10 minutes or so, it doesn't come back up, but switching the display off and on makes it come back.
According to a reviewer on Amazon, the Monoprice displayport cable I'm using is apparently known to cause the sleep/wake issues with displays, so that particular piece of the puzzle may be separate from the pinstripes.
Thanks for taking the time to test out your monitor with your various setups!
Success!
Mac mini 2011 + ATI 6630m + Dell ST2220T IPS 6bit+FRC + 10.7.2 = No problem on HDMI and DVI. Yes! 🙂
DVI is better than HDMI. HDMI has slight banding. DVI none (well only in the very dark region). And I can distinguish more colors on DVI than HDMI in the Lagom contrast test.
Yes the the Dell ST2220T is a glossy screen, but nice. I see no problem in my room even with lights on. Very sharp. That it can't be altered in height does not bother me, as I like looking down (my eyes tire less that way).
I want to thank everybody, especially dzero. This has cost me a lot of time, but it is good to know where the problem lies when I buy a new Mac mini!
Before the Dell, I bought a HP ZR2440W. Nice screen. 8bit and even 1080P24! But the screen was very creaky. All it did was click, clack, crack, on turning on. And tick, tick, tick, tick, after turning off. For about an hour until the capacitor was drained. Awful. I returned it. Hopefully the Dell doesn't do that. At least it's a lot cheaper!
Thanks!
Mac mini 2011 + ATI 6630m + Dell ST2220T IPS 6bit+FRC + 10.7.2 = No problem on HDMI and DVI. Yes! 🙂
DVI is better than HDMI. HDMI has slight banding. DVI none (well only in the very dark region). And I can distinguish more colors on DVI than HDMI in the Lagom contrast test.
Yes the the Dell ST2220T is a glossy screen, but nice. I see no problem in my room even with lights on. Very sharp. That it can't be altered in height does not bother me, as I like looking down (my eyes tire less that way).
I want to thank everybody, especially dzero. This has cost me a lot of time, but it is good to know where the problem lies when I buy a new Mac mini!
Before the Dell, I bought a HP ZR2440W. Nice screen. 8bit and even 1080P24! But the screen was very creaky. All it did was click, clack, crack, on turning on. And tick, tick, tick, tick, after turning off. For about an hour until the capacitor was drained. Awful. I returned it. Hopefully the Dell doesn't do that. At least it's a lot cheaper!
Thanks!
djc6
macrumors 6502a
Is this true - the 8bit part? Most posts i've read says it uses the same panel as the U2412m. This PDF spec sheet:
http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/14145_na/14145_na.PDF
says:
Color Support** Up to 16.7 million colors
** With the use of FRC technology.
Which makes me think the HP ZR2440W will suffer the same A-FRC dithering problems as the U2412m under OS X.
Sorry for the late reply. Strange, I could have sworn it was 8 bit last time I checked at TFT Central. It is listed as 6 bit + FRC. Sorry about that. But I had no problems with that panel using my Mac mini 2011 with ATI 6630M. At least, I didn't notice anything for the short time I had it. So I think ATI = Good, NVidia=Bad. But the built quality of the ZR2440W, the creaking and clicks was just bad. My Dell ST2220T is quiet, and while I would have liked the extra real estate in the height, I'm generally happy with this panel. Only slight leakage in one corner. Very sharp and clear text.