My god...it's beautiful... B173HW01 V5 upgrade

I was content with the hyper glossy LG that came with the Sager 8170 and thought I could get away with using a Viewguard matte screen protector...but after a manic "episode" with trying to get it installed bubble free in a two cat household and noticing the display looked too grainy (like putting your eyeball up to a CRT) after installation, i tossed the POS. IMO, the Viewguard matte protectors are way overpriced and their shipping costs exorbitant. ($30) So I bought the AUO display off of fleabay.

I ordered a matte AU Optronics B173HW01 V5 off of ebay (screenintaipei) on 5/3 and it got to me on 5/6... From Taipei, Taiwan to Los Angeles, USA in 3 days! I wasn't expecting it so fast, so I wasn't able to take delivery until today.

Just installed and calibrated it. This matte screen really is something else. Very good clarity, viewing angles, black levels, and very even backlighting. I didn't expect the difference between the stock LG and the AUO to be so drastic! The screen's calibration wasn't so far off the mark either.

 

There is a color profile for AUO v5 flowing around in this forum, did you use that?

I want a v4 originally but since there is no luck find a A+ grade, I bought mine from screenintaipei as well. It should arrive on Wed.

Never a fan for those matte film as they always reduce contrast, brightness and color representation by a percentage.

glad you liked the screen!

BTW, can you post a picture of screen in action?

 

My decent point and click (Canon S90) is sitting at my gf's so all I have is my phone's crappy camera. It's a color profile I created after calibrating with my Spyder 3 Pro. I'll upload it for others to use.

I use brightness setting 6 (1 less than 100% brightness) and it was calibrated with native white point.

 

My camera phone tends to over saturate and take very warm pictures, but this picture was taken with a light overhead. Normally, a reflection would be showing on the gloss screen. None on the matte!

Another pic at an angle. On the gloss screen would be seriously screwed at this angle.

 

If anyone is interested in the background, it's a Dogbane Beetle.

 

You've got me excited that I went for this screen on mine Just need it to be built now!

 

What is the 15.6" version of this thing? Can you link me to the list of AUO panels?

 

The 95% color gamut screen that MYTHLOGIC uses in its 15.6-inch systems is the AUO B156HW01 V.4. Search with variations of that model name on eBay, and you should be able to find one.

 

You should also look at this thread if you wanna see the differences between the screens http://forum.notebookreview.com/sag...-between-different-screen-options-photos.html

And these two for changing screens yourself

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sag...sembly-display-clevo-p170hm-sager-np8170.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/del...cial-swapping-xps-17-l701x-screen-thread.html

 

I ordered the optional 1080p matte screen provided by Sager with the 8150-S1. This is because I live in Singapore and resellers here do not offer the 95% color gamut AUO B156HW01 V.4 screen; they only offer what Sager provides.

Question: How do i find out the model number/name of my panel?

I am guessing that it is the stock screen on the 8130 that they provide as the optional screen with the 8150-S1.

Thank you for the information. I had seen the visual differences thread before. The other threads are sure to come in handy if i do a swap in the future.

 

nice pics, gets me excited about upgrading mine myself later

 

Is there any way to find out that screen you got based on a program launched in windows or something?

 

HWiNFO32, check monitor tab.

 

Thanks for the advice.
Seems like the Norwegian Clevo reseller, Multicom use AUO B173HW01 V5 screens by default then.

 

So you didn't even know? That's an interesting surprise.

What do you think of the screen?

 

Alternately you can do it manually go to Device Manager/Monitor/Properties/Details/Hardware ID

This is a great way of finding drivers for obscure hardware and see when something (like wireless adapters, onboard lan, sound, etc) is a rebrand.

 

@ Kevin_Jack2.0 I <3 the screen so much because of it being Matte. xD
Dident even know there where so many different screen choices until i found the screen thread here.

They did not specify what screen they shipped with, but since they grab the hardware directly from Clevo, and put the stuff together themselves i guess they default to the higher quality screens.

But i feel sad for the other purchasers, just saw they changed the specs on the website.

Clevo P170HM: Multicom Multicom Kunshan P170 17.3" Full HD LED, 2nd Generation Intel Core i7 Quad Core, Windows 7 / MULTICOM

Clevo P150HM, ships with matte screen by default: Multicom Multicom Kunshan P150 15.6" Full HD LED, 2nd Generation Intel Core i7 Quad Core, Windows 7 / MULTICOM

And here are all the models that are up for sale but i would recommend using google translate if you dont understand Norwegian. :d

15" to 16" http://www.multicom.no/Vanlig-storrelse-15-16/cat-c/c100561
17" to 18" http://www.multicom.no/Stor-storrelse-17-18/cat-c/c100560

 

Monitor Name: C088T€156WF1

THis is what I am getting from HWinfo32. Google search turned up nothing.

Does anyone know what this is??

EDIT: I found some stuff .....
http://www.screentekinc.com/Dell-C088T.shtml THis link says its a DELL part!

http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...550475-15-6-fhd-1920x1080-panels-reviews.html LG Electronics LP156WF1 (TL)(B1) [Dell part C088T]

Does anyone know how this fares compared with the AUO screens? Reviews? Links?

 

default 8150 matte has 60% gamut while AUO matte v4 has 95% gamut. viewing angle is also different
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sag...-between-different-screen-options-photos.html

 

So what's the best Matte screen available for 150HM and 170HM?

- AUO B156HW01 V4 for 15.6 screen;
- AUO B173HW01 V5 for 17.3 screen.

am i correct? also where can i find a more detailed info rather than on ebay?

 

If hypothetically, AUO will make 15.6" 120hz panels, couldn't we get 3D vision working on the laptop itself?
We know that Sager is bringing 3d to its 17 inch line. What panels are those??

 

wow very interested to get that v4 matte screen on my 8150.
just wondering how sensitive and difficult this whole screen swap thing is.

 

Super simple. Just remove the face screws from under the rubber stoppers, pop off the bezel, remove screws on side of lcd holder assembly, disconnect ribbon cable.

 

Ive found two videos which explain the whole process in detail!

YouTube - Laptop LCD Screen Replacement

YouTube - How to replace laptop lcd / How to replace laptop screen

 

I just nervously finished installing the AUO B173HW01 V5 in my Sager NP8170-S1 and it looks awesome. Was a little apprehensive about not going for the V4 but it's scarcity and seeing the V5 in action has satisfied my desire for a better display then the generic lcd screen it came with. One question, how were you able to remove the 6 rubber nubs over the screws and not ruin the adhesive holding them in place. I would like to re-use them but I don't have a clue as to what to use to put them back in place.

 

If you're never going to take them off again, use superglue. Be sure to thoroughly clean off the old adhesive first using Goo Gone or similar product.

 

Don't use superglue, that stuff doesn't work real great on metal, more for plastic to plastic. I'd say ask Sager for replacement bumpers. The adhesive seems like a one-time thing. I only have two left after mine were removed and replaced. They just started falling out and disappearing.

 

If my assumption is correct, they are just some double side tape applied to the rubber surface. Be sure you get 3M brand

 

I would use clear double stick tape for video ram aftermarket heatsinks.

 

Thanks, didn't think of that...

 

thanks both for this. reps for you guys.
the explanation and warning on the link/s on the first page of this thread about the risk of damaging the ribbon or cable got me a little worried.

 

How difficult was it to remove the bezel?? Did you have pry it hard to open it?

 

Not too much force-- just get a fingernail under a corner, lightly pull till it pops out, then run your finger through the newly created groove to pop out the rest.

 

I created a separate thread for AUO B156.... v4 ( http://forum.notebookreview.com/sag...ns-screen-auo-b156hw01-v-4-a.html#post7489413 ). Rebel0721 posted that some calibration needs to be done on the new panel. You also mentioned in your first post that you calibrated it.

Could you tell us how/what software?

 

I'm sorry for bumping this thread up for something arbitrary, but I wanted to thank the OP for posing a good review and pics of this display. Based on this thread I picked up a V5 for my Asus G73. It was a direct fit and compared to the glossy 1600x900 panel I had in the machine before it is fantastic. I'm even able to view it outdoors, which was far beyond my expectations for this panel; in other words I'm completely happy with it. Thanks again!

 

Yep I got one of these in my PH170 and couldnt be happier, 0 dead/stuck pixels that I can detect too!

 

This thread should be made sticky or something its become a very useful resource.

 

I just ordered the screen! Btw, per spec sheet, v.5 color gamut is 72% of NTSC not 95% (makes sense since glossy version is 95%). Contrast is also 50% lower than v.4, as expected. Nonetheless, specifications are very good for a matte screen.

Thanks for all the info everyone

 

Has anyone seen a B173HW01 v.3?
EDIT:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus-gaming-notebook-forum/554002-auo-b173hw01-v-4-g73.html

Apparently its not good.
But you can see some other options in this thread, if you care.

 

OMG I just installed the b173hw01 v5 on my G73 and it is the best screen i have ever seen in person!

 

Ok i just installed the AUO B173HW01 V.4 LCD Display today.
I paid $200 for the LCD and $75 for the Dead Pixel Warranty. The display has no stuck or dead pixels I bought it from Malibal. Great customer service by the way. And fast shipping.
It was a pretty easy install. The flat LCD connector is a little tricky but pretty basic. Right off the bat I noticed it was brighter and more colorful.
Honestly my Hannstar looked pretty damn amazing. I'm definitely happy with this new LCD but I dont no if it's worth the $$. Maybe after I calibrate it and use it more I will think otherwise. I used the Nvidia Control Panel and the Windows calibration tool under "Displays" to calibrate it.
Here are a few pics. You really cant tell a huge difference but I posted them anyways.






Stock Hannstar LCD

AUO V.4 LCD


Hannstar


AUO V.4

 

question guys, i found 2 type of screen B173HW01 V4 and B173HW01 V5. apparently the v4 cost more. any idea what is difference between those 2 screen ?

 

V.4 is a 90% NTSC Color Gamut Glossy Display
V.5 is a 72% NTSC Color Gamut Matte Display

 

cool. thanks for the info malibal definitely hunting for the v 5 now

 

looks beautiful man, good job on the install.

 

While looking for this panel, I've been seeing a couple variations pop up.

One is the B173HW01 V5 HW0A
& B173HW01 V5HW1A

apparently the 1A version has a left connection, is this the correct one?

 

what is the diference with the version V7 ??

 

@ aero - left connection is correct connection

@ Trewhela - There is no B173HW01 V7

 

Thank you Handsomerob, it is a nice upgrade isn't it
_

 

Thank you for the picture and review, Handsomerob. It helps me a lot to make my decision to choose the right config into my new P170HM; which is cancel the lcd upgrade and invest more into 2760 for now.. Maybe in the future, i will consider upgrade to AUO matte v.5 or AUO glossy v.4 . Too bad I have constraint budget.