ENVY 15: Swap to Anti-Glare screen or add anti-glare film to current display ?

I'm considering switching to matte displays (getting eye strains too much + glares !) and I just recently found some anti-glare films. Can someone recommend me a really "good" anti-glare films (I've seen ClearCal-not compatible- , PhotoDons) not so sure which is the best.

I have found a 1600x900 matte screen ( here) too but not so sure about the brightness level compared to the 1080p one (LG LP156WF-TLB1). And I couldn't find the proper HP part no. or LG part no. for it.

I personally want to go for 1600x900 (720p texture is too bold, 1080p gives sharp but quite tiny fonts and stuffs-already tried changing font size)

Are both solutions (new display vs film) slightly comparable ?

 

I bought a PhotoDon HD antiglare for my HP2760P tablet. It's fairly effective at diffusing glare. Especially dead on. And the dead on image quality is the best I've seen on a film. Very high light transmission which makes the film unnoticeable. However, off angle viewing reveals a grayish tint. By off angle, I mean 45 Deg or more.

I was able to do a bubble free overlay by doing in the bathroom after a bit of steam from the shower. You can't even tell there's a film on it.

 

Does the text looks fuzzy 2.0 ? I'm really contemplating between a film and a display.
edit: Just read this ViewGuard review ( http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=5753) looks good though

The 900p matte screen + shipping is $85. While the film is $30

 

The text is crystal clear.

 

Oh thanks mate, I guess I'm settled with ViewGuard, a lot of people recommend it. And they have been around on the market for a while longer than others I suppose.

 

Yeah, give it a shot. Be sure to steam up the area before starting to avoid bubbles. Not too much though. You want to avoid condensation on the glass. And have some tacky tape on hand to pick up any dust while you're working.

Also, wear latex/latex free gloves while you work to keep your hand oils at bay.

Good luck and report back on your progress.

 

I just cancelled my ViewGuard orderl lol (luckily it has not processed yet, I sent them email asking to cancel it before it gets processed and shipped on Monday). Found more positive feedbacks on Photodon though. 2.0, like you stated the text is crystal clear, does it add any graininess ? Any cons to color & brightness ?
Which one should I get (HD-it says for screen with glass front w/ highest image quality... Thin-some visual noice) I want highest image quality but what's with the glass front thing

 

Doesn't add any graininess. Enhances whites and blacks to a small degree. Otherwise no effect on color.

I'd get the HD one. It's the best they make. Not sure what's up with the glass front thing. The tablet I put it on has a chemically hardened glass with an antiglare coating. I wanted to protect it and reduce finger/hand smudges (which the HD film also does).

One thing about the PhotoDon, they can custom cut (which I had done for a perfect fit). You can specify dimensions in mm and say "exact" and they will cut it to your spec. Without saying "exact" they will subtract .5mm from your dimensions.

Let me take a pic to show you what I mean about perfect fit:

Spoiler

That slight grain you see is the glass underneath. It's the Wacom touch digitizer. All tablet PCs have a smidgen of grain because of it. The film added no additional grain.

 

Thanks again. I'm not so sure if I want to go with the custom option because mine is pretty standard I suppose (15.6" FHD) with the bezel outside. I couldn't find my model on their site. But they have HP Dv6 6100, the Dv6's screen has the bezel just like my Envy:





Do you think it's compatible and fits ?
I like my screen a lot, nice vibrancy and brightness. It's just I can't stand getting eye strain when doing college research due to the reflection (eyes have to work more !).
They said the HD reduces glare up to 25%, I have found any real picture yet. I hope it would reduces glare significantly then I have the best of both world.
The other route is kind of expensive, 80$ and I have no idea what to do with the glossy screen after replacement and the color vibrancy and brightness wouldn't be the same...

2.0, did you have to recalibrate your screen after you have applied it ?

 

Yeah, that should work. In fact, I would call them when you order instead of using the web. Let them know that you are using it for a HP Envy 15. They like being able to offer screens for more models. And after you install it and perhaps find that it doesn't fit well enough, just give them a call and let them know. They have excellent customer service and will send you out a new one with better dimensions for free.

As for anti-glare properties, it is very good. It diffuses it. You still get a reflection but the light of the reflection is softened quite a bit. Much like a matte screen does.

If you decide to buy a screen instead, you can always sell the glossy one on eBay. That would help defer some of the costs of the new one. Your net cost may end up being close to the anti-glare screen film option. So there's that to consider also.

Go with the option you're most comfortable with. Installing a screen film can be fiddly work to avoid bubbles and dust behind the film. I bought the film installation kit that comes with the screen cleaner and anti-static spray. That along with installing it in the humidified bathroom yielded perfect results. Also had a vacuum cleaner on hand to get any possible dust that might come off my clothes.

 

That sounds good, I would go for the HD film. Will try apply after a shower lol.
I hope I can get the refund back from ViewGuard without a hiccup. I will come back and post the result when it arrives.
Thanks