[BUG] Serious black clipping / gamma issue on Galaxy Notes

[PaulF]

You can skip all the PS Express stuff -- you're barking up the wrong tree.

supercurio, an n7000 owner and dev, has already dug into the kernel on that version of the Note and discovered Samsung's poorly coded gamma implementation (the actual chipset interaction). He stated that he may be able to fix it once Samsung releases the ICS source for the n7000. He may also be willing to port the fix to the AT&T model if we send him one.

Here's a more technical discussion to bring you up to speed:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1430847

I finally registered on xda and posted. I was hoping to see if they also think I am barking up the wrong tree.

 

[jontalk]

Palehorse.. In lay terms are you saying that Supercurio, a dev, will be able to engineer a fix once ATT releases the ICS update? Will it require the device to be rooted? Sorry, but I'm seriously considering getting the Note, but am not happy about the gamma clipping issue at all.. Especially at these prices.

I have to say having been an iPhone owner for almost 4 years, and viewing all the forums here, just about every phone is plagued with all sorts of issues, of which I never experienced with Apple hardware, sans a major battery problem. I guess that's the difference when a company develops both the OS and the hardware to match it. But in the end, the iPhone is boring and slow as molasses, too !

 

[anon(153966)]

...maybe someone should take a screen shot of said 'bug' \ 'error' \ 'display issue', and share with all of us. That would help all of us to understand a little better, no?

Just saying.

 

[DAS]

It would sure help me. Because honestly I don't get it.

 

[PaulF]

The problem in my case is not black clipping. The greys are brighter and the number grey shades is reduced so they form blobs. The gamma test image had to be downloaded and viewed at high color resolution. Taking a picture of the screen doesn't help much because the camera distorts or in some cases fixes the defect.

 

[paleh0rse]

...maybe someone should take a screen shot of said 'bug' \ 'error' \ 'display issue', and share with all of us. That would help all of us to understand a little better, no?

Just saying.

Screenshots wouldn't work, as they don't capture what is actually being displayed on the Note screen -- instead, screenshot image files contain what SHOULD have been displayed. So, if you view those shots on a seperate device, like a PC or another phone, they'd look normal and not represent what was actually displayed to the user when the screencapture was taken.

Make sense?

To see the problem occurring on someone else' phone, you have to view photos of their screens taken with seperate cameras.

That said, I suggest two things:
1. Read the test thread (the second link) in the first post above. There are a ton of photos and test results there. EDIT, HERE:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1559800*

2. If you have a Note, run the gamma test yourself to see the issue. The gamma test image is all you need to accurately identify, acknowledge, and measure the problem.

Using the gamma test image:
On a properly calibrated display, there should never be a severe dropoff from grey to black between any of the numbers (21 down to 0). Instead, a proper display will show a smooth/gradual transition all the way from grey (21) down to true black (0).

The problem on the Note running GB roms (including stock) is that it shows grey all the way down to 1 before dropping off a cliff to true black at 0. In the i717 ICS leak, it looks like Samsung tweaked something (possibly just the contrast) to move that severe grey/black drop to between 7 and 6. In other words, they simply shifted the point where the severe black clipping (dropoff) occurs in the dark spectrum.

To see what the gamma test image is supposed to look like, simply view it on any other decent display -- a different phone, laptop, PC, etc...

 

[dvd7000]

I posted a You Tube video of my Note and compared it to my Captivate:

Samsung Galaxy Note BLACK CRUSH Demo [Compared With Samsung Captivate] - YouTube

 

[jeeves744]

Ya i am really noticing it now when im on youtube. I really hope they come up with a fix

 

[PaulF]

I posted a You Tube video of my Note and compared it to my Captivate:

Samsung Galaxy Note BLACK CRUSH Demo [Compared With Samsung Captivate] - YouTube

Very interesting video, thanks. I have a Captivate, too. I have my doubts that it can be fixed by a gamma adjustment. The only slim hope is a device driver fix, in my opinion.

 

[jontalk]

This is really interesting.. I'm assuming that in the video the image on the right is the Note and to the left is the Captivate, correct? If so, the videos on the Note look horrible. I assume the clipping is the cause of the blotchy look and almost grey tinge to many of the scenes rather that it being clear black and bright. This is NOT good at all for a device that costs as much as the Note.

Has anyone checked the clipping issue on the Skyrocket? I have to assume it's there as well.

I wonder if the ICS update once its released will fix this?

 

[PaulF]

I wonder if the ICS update once its released will fix this?

The guy on XDA says Samsung told him it would be fixed on ICS.

 

[jontalk]

OK.. well I'll be curious to see what everyone says here on this thread once the ICS update is released.. whenever that is, LOL.

For the record, I really have to say that making a choice about which Android phone to jump to after owning an iPhone that, for the most part, has been trouble free for years, is very difficult.

Every single phone forum here is littered with people reporting some kind of nasty issues with their phone, even those with brand new models like the One X. And while the iPhone is NOT free of issues, the range of issues I see with Android phone trumps the number you seen with the iPhone by an order of magnitude.

The sales of the Note have shown the world is embracing this new category of phone/tablet. But there are many issues being reported such as this clipping issue and more. I also have a problem with the build quality of Samsung phones; they feel cheap and dangerously fragile. Even the Note.

Any comments?

 

[DAS]

@jontalk: I don't think it's a fair comparison to consider the number of issues IOS users have vs. Android. Apple controls both the hardware and software of their devices, unlike the Android experience which is spread across small, medium, and large size OEM's with a variety of quality standards.

I disagree with your assessment that Samsung devices feel cheap, but I understand that people disagree on this point.

In regards to this thread, and the issue raised by the OP, I think it's a problem but it's not the hill I would die on, nor would this issue be a deal breaker for me chosing the Note.

Android offers many options and flexibility. The trade off is that you will naturally have more concerns. A fixed system like IOS offers less options and almost no flexibility, but you have a more uniform and stable OS.

Each person has to decide, which is more important. For me, I've made my choice and Android is the way for me.

 

[jontalk]

DAS, I completely agree and understand. And just looking at the various threads here in the Note and Skyrocket forums showing a very wide array of issues, is what has me concerned. Since I rely completely on my cell phone (no land line like most these days), I cannot have a device that continually has issues, hence the last post I made.

Meantime, the ability to customize and change the Android OS is far more fun than Apple and I don't feel like waiting until Fall to take advantage of the ATT LTE network here in the Bay area. But I believe the next month or two will have release of some interesting devices that may have appeal.

The attraction to the Note, as you well know, is its uniqueness and multiple 'personalities'. This in and of itself makes it alluring. Would you agree that the release of ICS for the Note is imminent and that its likely to improve many of the issues reported in this forum including the gamma clipping?

 

[DAS]

@ Jontalk: I think the ICS upgrade will improve many of the issues users are having, including those raised by the OP.

However, like you can surely guess, the ICS upgrade will bring a whole other level of issues and complaints from a lot of people who won't like this or that.

You are trying to decide on whether the Note is a device you can fit into your life. Unfortunately, that question cannot be answered by a forum. You will really need to take the plunge and try the device (At&t offers a 30 day trial) in your world to know for sure.

You've asked the right questions, and engaged in the dialogue. The only step left is to get your hands on one and give it a Jontalk test drive.

So, what color do you think you will get tomorrow when you pick yours up?

 

[dvd7000]

AT&T Forum Will Not Allow ANY Review that Mentions BLACK CRUSH!

I've already submitted my review twice. Used no foul language. I did not include any html links, just reported the issue about the problem and said to do a google search for "Samsung Galaxy Note BLACK CRUSH Demo". Both times my review was "rejected" for the following reason:

"Your opinion is very important to us and the ATT_mobile community. We appreciate you taking the time to write a review on Samsung Galaxy Note (TM) - Carbon Blue. Unfortunately your review did not meet our guidelines for posting on our site."

I guess AT&T and Samsung are VERY sensitive about this issue, and don't want the general public to have any prior warnings.

Perhaps it's time the news media broke this? That got the iPhone fixed in a jiffy.

 

[schrochem]

Well a good start would be here on Android Central and other android news outlets.
I don't think any of them have done a story.....
It's quite far from a rumor or a false worry. Your video in particular is quite convincing.
Maybe submit it to phil or jerry.

 

[DAS]

@dvd7000: I wonder what would happen if you left off the Google search suggestion?

If I were a manufacturer I wouldn't want to promote or encourage users to access another internet blog or forum about an issue unless that website was an expert on the subject matter vs. just complaints.

That being said, it would have been preferable At&t not just deny your post, but give a simple acknowledgment of the issue, and give, if nothing else, the standard line something like; "we've received a number of post about this matter and we're working with the manufacturer to officially confirm or deny the issue. Please check back for details."

While this would not say much, and may not make you happy, it would at least be better than denying the post with no real understanding why.

If you've haven't already, try to post the issue without the reference and see what happens.

One other thought, is to post the issue on Samsungs community forum, without the reference, to see if they would allow it through? I'm inclined to believe they might allow it based on their stated policy to post real comments; from real users.

 

[paleh0rse]

Well a good start would be here on Android Central and other android news outlets.
I don't think any of them have done a story.....
It's quite far from a rumor or a false worry. Your video in particular is quite convincing.
Maybe submit it to phil or jerry.

I've submitted it to AC twice, Samsung twice, Engadget twice, Android Police once, and half a dozen others -- each time with a well-written summary and links to this thread and those on XDA. Sadly, none of them have so much as acknowledged the submissions or the issue.

 

[DAS]

I've submitted it to AC twice, Samsung twice, Engadget twice, Android Police once, and half a dozen others -- each time with a well-written summary and links to this thread and those on XDA. Sadly, none of them have so much as acknowledged the submissions or the issue.

Well written summaries and links to this and other threads is by definition an acknowledgment of your submission.

It's not an acknowledgment or confirmation of the problem, but in fairness it does acknowledge you submitted the problem.