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iPod Touch: 'Negative Black' Screen Issue

Monday September 17, 2007 12:14 am PDT by Arnold Kim
iLounge posts an extensive review of the iPod Touch and found that in comparison to the iPhone, it was somewhat disappointing. Of note, they felt that the video screen had a shallow viewing angle and an unusual "shimmering effect" in dark spots.

Similar reports and examples have been posted on various message boards (Apple thread, MacRumors thread, Flickr set, Youtube Video), and discussion has been filling our iPod Touch forum.

The Washington Post's first look at the iPod touch describes the issue in more detail:

Unfortunately the 16GB unit I picked up at the San Francisco Apple store has a display problem that makes many dark scenes almost unwatchable. Video looks reversed out in dark areas, creating a very distracting negative effect.


The issue does not appear to affect every iPod touch, as at least one user has posted photos of an unaffected iPod touch.
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bdj21ya
58 months ago
This seems pretty lame. Apple really needs to work on their display quality control.
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Spock
58 months ago
I have a PSP that does this exact thing, cant stand it. Guess the Touch will be on the refurb list sooner than I thought.
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atari1356
58 months ago
For what it's worth, when I look at my iPhone straight on, the black areas look "shimmery" too. Tilting it slightly makes the picture look fine. I was slightly annoyed by this at first, but decided it's really not that big of a deal to just tilt the thing a little.

EDIT: after seeing that YouTUBE video, I can say that my iPhone is not quite that bad
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megfilmworks
58 months ago
The article mentions that the wifi store is available now for the iPhone. Is he jumping the gun or am I missing something?
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phalewhale
58 months ago

This seems pretty lame. Apple really needs to work on their display quality control.


Couldn't agree more... I've posted several times on these forums regarding my issues with several MBP's that I no longer own - RETURNED! There seem to be so many problems with screens these day's - what is going on here?

Am I glad I got the "old" 24-inch iMac in White!
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ddubbo
58 months ago
I just here more and more about quality problems with new Apple products.
It's seems to me that times of G4,G5, power macs and power books are gone
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TurboSC
58 months ago
Apple has gotten pretty good about their quality control and is one of the few companies that still keep the consumer mind. I'm sure theyll address the problem.
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Sandfleaz
58 months ago
Are these assembled in the same plants as the iPhone?
Are they the same components?

Want one bad, but will wait till this is resolved!
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ant_s
58 months ago

I just here more and more about quality problems with new Apple products.
It's seems to me that times of G4,G5, power macs and power books are gone


Ever remember the "white spots" issue with the first batch of the aluminium PowerBook G4s? And iMac G5 screen banding issues?

Displays are a big problem for Apple and have been for some time. You'd think they'd learn from these issues. I was interested in the iPod Touch. Think I might wait a while now.
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mrzippy
58 months ago
I hope these issues are sorted before they arrive in the UK, as I really really want an iPod touch!

About time Apple commented, as this has been picked up by numerous news sites.

Maybe they will do a Q&A in London tomorrow, you know someone will mention it!
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