Why do external displays look crap connected to Macs?

[MyAppleWorld]

I was using my Samsung LED 24" monitor via HDMI on my Windows laptop at factory settings (No monitor or windows calibration) and it was perfect.

I have connected my macbook pro using thunderbolt to HDMI adapter and the colours/text look dreadful. Contrast is extremely high, unable to distinguish grey from white! The monitor is set at the correct resolution (1080p) in Display preferences.

I have done a Mac calibration (advanced) from display preferences and its a lot better but still bad compared to windows laptop.

Why does the wizard ask to put the contrast up to 100% to start? My monitor is set at 55% by default which was perfectly fine on windows.

why are the colours so bad, particularly greys? i.e. the apple UI.

I have lost the ability on the monitor to configure HDMI black setting (its greyed out) now that the macbook is plugged in.

I have found historically external monitors look crap on Macs, whereas windows 99% of the time just WORK.

Any tips? My monitor is S24A350H.

 

[MattZani]

My Dell monitor looks absolutely fine. Try putting the contrast up to 100%, the calibration tool works assuming that.

 

[Jare]

I'm surprised you can even get HDMI to work properly. I gotta run my RMBP through DVI to my monitor to get it working correctly. (HDMI to DVI adapter ftw!)

 

[maflynn]

My Apple ACD looks great on my rMBP, did you try bypassing the HDMI and run it through the thunderbolt port (with an adapter if needed).

 

[MyAppleWorld]

I guess I need to buy a thunderbolt to VGA and try that. My monitor only has HDMI and VGA.

The other problem is that the external display doesn't come back on when I wakeup the mac by moving the mouse - 9 times out of 10. I have to unplug and replug.

Is this why apple do not sell a thunderbolt to hdmi adapter?

 

[MCAsan]

To calibrate any monitor use an external sensor as in the Spyder or Munki products.

 

[Adamantoise]

I know what you mean! Wallpaper does appear fuzzy for some reason, thought I was imagining things.

In any case, video playback appears crisp as ever on my TV, so it must be a trick on the eyes or something, it's pretty weird.