Using nVidia Color settings to Correct the m11x's LCD

I've already posted on these forums about my love for the m11x but total dislike for its LCD. After asking around about possible replacement LCD's for the m11x I realized that I'll just have to wait for some manufacturer to start making a high quality 11.6" display and Dell to start using it.

However, that didn't stop me from trying something that has never seemed to work for me in the past: use color correction to "fix" a subpar LCD. I'm not sure which panel I have (if someone tells me where to find the info I'll post it) but these settings worked wonders for me. The screen is noticeably less washed out, colors are very vibrant, blacks are deeper and all the while preserving a nice contrast in the image.

If you want to try my settings go into the nVidia Control Panel and go to the Adjust desktop color settings. Input these settings while having the "all channels" color channel active:

Brightness: 50%
Contrast: 70%
Gamma: 1.10
Digital Vibrance: 65%
Hue: 5 degrees

Note that I have an R1 m11x and I have my graphics set to dedicated only (swapping graphics to integrated Intel is disabled). Hope this helps some people!

 

thanks, that actually helped the view on my screen a bit =)

 

To find out your screen ID, go to device manager->Monitors->Generic PnP Monitor
Right click, click properties, click the details tab, and select the "Hardware Ids" property.

that came from this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/464852-m11x-screenid.html

 

if you have an AUO, you could try the calibrated LCD ICC profile provided by slickie in this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/492790-m11xr2-calibrated-lcd-icc-profile.html

 

Chances are that the ICC profile I've created isn't going to be useful for anyone other than R2/R3 users with an AUO panel.

The R1's hybrid graphics allows each GPU to output to the display, whereas the R2's IGP is always the processor providing the panel it's output. The R1's IGP is a different adapter with it's own unique LUT. Given those two factors it's not likely to look good with a my profile.

Is the R3's IGP the same as the R2? Intel HD? If not then my profile is ony valid for the R2 and even then might not work well with a given AUO panel. As always, calibrating your specific system is always best.

 

the R3 has the intel HD 3000 igp. the R2 has just the regular intel HD.

 

I wonder what assortment of screens are shipped out w/ the R3 compared to the last 2 versions? Mine's an AUO305C

 

305C? Not 105C? If 305C then that's a new panel for the M11x.

 

Yep, 305C

ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

 

Well lookee here...

Notebookcheck.net has provided an ICC profile for the R3 with that panel. They're using the same colorimeter I use. That's good news for R3 owners who'd like to (potentially) improve their color fidelity.

Review Alienware M11x R3 Gaming Notebook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

EDIT: You're going to need to right-click and Save As. Then follow the instructions for setting the profile up in the ICC link in my signature.

EDIT II: Man I love their reviews... spot on about the craptasticness of the M11x displays.

 

Awesome! Thanks for the info; I'll give it a shot

 

Just checking back in on this thread now. Glad my settings helped some people.

My settings were for the dedicated graphics only on the R1. I have the integrated turned off through the BIOS so I can't even switch by accident (who wants intel graphics when you have nVidia and only really use the laptop for gaming?)

I'm away this weekend so I can't check what panel I have though. I'll check when I get back.

Stupid question, how do I apply an ICC profile?

 

You can't you use an ICC profile if you're set to dedicated graphics.. I believe ICC refers to "Intel Color Correction" profile or something.. which means it's not used during dedicated graphics mode.. we're stuck using the Nvidia color utility.

I saw your settings in your original post and they looked horrible on my AUO105C panel.. I've calibrated my panel using test images the best I could and it's already a lot better than the factory setup. I wonder if you have a SEC panel afterall.

 

Updating in this thread too ...
Just tried the ICC profile from the M11x R3 Gaming Notebook - Notebookcheck.net Review

I don't like it. Colours muted, contrast lowered. If it's properly calibrated, I guess I don't like a well calibrated display (AUO305C). I like vibrant and bright (RGBLED on SXPS16 spoiled me)

Switching to Nvidia controlled colours looks much better than the ICC profile. I'll probably stick with that eventually, once I get to play around some more.