New 1530: "Washed Out" Color Watching DVDs? *whine*

Well, I got the new laptop a few days ago and still taking it for a test drive. The screen looks nice, though almost too bright and hurts my eyes, forcing me to turn it down a couple notches...then doesn't look as nice, though.

Nonetheless, I popped in my kid's Finding Nemo dvd to check out how it played movies...tried all 3 options that popped up when I stuck the dvd in: Windows Media Player, Windows Media Center, and MediaDirect. To say I was disappointed is an understatment.

Could it be the stock software that makes the picture looks washed out and quite dull in color? Shiuld I install a more native DVD package like WinDVD or something like that? Would it make a difference?

The screen looks nice otherwise, which is why I was thinking it could be the Windows software...thoughts?

I thought I was 'upgrading' from a 9300, but 1.) the screen is killing my eyes 2.) DVDs look like crap 3.) the touchpad is much worse and seems to jump where it wants, unresponsive for a split second here and there 4.) sound is much worse and cheap sounding compared to the 9300 5.) The fingerprint reader seemed cool, but after the cool factor was worn off and now think it's useless already...etc, etc, etc.

If I can't get DVDs to look decent on this "HD Screen" as Dell tries to market it, I'll just send it back, but like to see what the experts think on my washed out color issue...might be operator error.

 

Well, the screen is HD and the movies are SD which can cause it to look less than stellar.

 

What screen/resolution do you have? From your burning eyes, I assume an LG, possibly. If so, you have the best of the bunch, IMO.

Have a 1440 x 900 LG screen. Just about perfect. Colors are fine with whatever video media and whatever software used.

Have you tried adjusting your colors?


Agree about the touchpad in that it is somewhat "dumbed down" in features as compared to what I was used to with the 9300. Ended up changing the M1530's driver to a Fujitsu one.

And yes, the speakers are subpar for a laptop of this line. The 9300's sounded fuller and deeper. Obviously the passive subwoofer helped in this, though.

Bottom line is that if you're not happy, and you can't rectify the problem, then yes, send it back.

 

Thanks, Air. Yes, I believe it's an LG: LPLDF00

I do like the brightness...much, much brighter than the 9300, but perhaps too bright...and turning it down 2 notches isn't as nice, dull, but easier on the eyes.

As for the speakers, I do understand that I went with the 1530 for more portability, longer battery life (given I have a 2 our commute each way, the 40 minutes of my dying 9300 battery wasn't cutting it), lighter, etc, etc...so it's a trade off, I guess, though I expected a little richer sound. But this isn't a show-stoper by any means.

Why I thought perhaps the windows DVD decoder might suck, thereby giving me a washed out look is because the desktop wallpaper, pictures, icons, et al...all look very crisp, sharp, and, of course, BRIGHT! I realize it shouldn't look as good as my 50" Sammy (or should it, given the TV blows it up @ 720?), but the movie looked totally washed out of color. Sure I can see blue and little Nemo is orange, but it's dull and worse than my 15 year old 27" multisystem running VHS.

I'll install some DVD software and try it again, I guess...if I am the only one with "washed out" movies.