I get blurry images when surfing the web

Hey there! I'm getting this very odd problem where all my browsers (IE/Firefox/Chrome) seem to download blurry/crappy images when surfing the web. It affects everything from banners, ads, pictures. Images from flash/shockwave/java seem fine. I reformatted twice already thinking I messed something up on first time but I'm still getting this problem. I've never had an issue like this before so I suspect that the latest software I'm using is messing up my browsers?

When I reformat this is a list of what I install:
- (win7) win8.1 ultimate 64bit
- all drivers of my hardware (from official website)
- directx redistributable 2010
- winrar
- firefox
- flash player
- shockwave player
- java
- free download manager
- vuze (torrent client)
- cccp
- avira

And nothing else! Are any of the new versions of these products affecting my system somehow? I've read that the latest updates in these browsers had this hardware acceleration feature which I tried disabling but had no effect.

 

What kinda computer are we a talking about??? This a Laptop or Desktop??? You gave the software but no hardware for us to even start diagnosing what the problem is???

 

It affects both my laptop and desktop after I reformatted them. Laptop is an Alienware M14x R2.

I'm really sure it's software related w/c is why I didn't bother stating the hardware.

This is an image from it's original source and it's pretty clear when I view it from another PC or my smartphone:


This is the image I'm getting from my reformatted PC/laptop, saved and reuploaded:

 

On my screen those images look same.

You could try updating graphics driver with newer or older version.

 

The top image is 532.63 kb and the lower image is 61.54 kb. So when you look at the top image in original format it will look better then the lower image. However, both have been scaled down to equal size here and look the same to me as viewed on my laptop. If I download both images then and display them on a large screen the top image should look better.

 

Lots of things can effect image quality but among the most frequents is a reduction in resolution. You state that you're surfing the web but then refer to a downloaded image which indicates more than just surfing -- a browser issue.

As mentioned above check the resolution. Unless they're identical, that would explain you reduction in quality i.e. "blurry images."

 

Considering it happens on 2 distinct machines it may be software. I am not familiar with CCCP(???). the issue may be caused by a browser add in, have your tried opening FF for instance in safe mode to test https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/k...safe-mode#w_how-to-start-firefox-in-safe-mode ?

 

Could it be a scaling issue?

 

The images were not scaled down/edited whatsoever. I also suspectected it was a scaling issue. Based on my own research/troubleshooting, there's a Windows 8.1 issue concerning DPI scaling. I tried quickfix solutions like shown here:
Applications like Chrome look blurry in windows 8.1 - Super User

It improved quality a little particularly smaller images like avatars and ads but most banners and background images are still blurry. What's odd is that I reformatted my desktop back to Windows 7 but I once again encountered the same problem! I've redownloaded all drivers and software so 1 of them surely is the cause of this.


As you can see nearly all the images in the website are blurry, save for Karthus (skeleton in drag) in the top-right corner.

Some may suspect it's due to poor bandwidth but it's also not the case:


CCCP = Combine Community Codec Pack from http://www.cccp-project.net/

I just tried loading sites in safe mode, same problem. :<

edit: Sorry for the confusion. I reformatted both my desktop and laptop from Win7 > Win8.1. Thinking it was a Win8.1 problem, I reverted my desktop back to Win7, but the problem apparently persists through both OS's and I can only speculate one of the software I install is the cause.

 

Can you get rid of that codec pack. You shouldn't have to install any codec packs.

 

It's for watching Anime/.mkv. It's a popular codec pack besides the much more overloaded K-Lite Codec Pack, I hardly think it has bloatware. I also don't think it's the cause of the problem.

update: it seems it only affects .jpg/.jpeg images. I tested it thoroughly and .gif and .png are always clear. Any of you guys know what may be causing this?

 

The only other approach I see here is loading Ubuntu 14.04 LTS ... JUST kidding. I hate to say it but try removing all non windows programs, and see if it happens with Windows only. Then load each application and test after each one. I would agree with TreeTopsRanch though ... the codec pack may have a configuration option that does this so maybe just remove it first and test to save time.
Shark 007 is a viable option if you need to dump CCCP. :hi2:

 

I've found out the problem. It was my ISP all along. I was at a friend's house using their wifi w/ my laptop and noticed all my images were clear again. I called my ISP and they said they recently implemented a "web acceleration protocol" to my internet service that significantly speeds up web browsing at the sacrifice of image quality. It's directly implemented onto their servers so I have no way to turn it off though. At 15mbps/5mbps speeds why the hell did they do that.

 

I'd understand that little bit more if you were using mobile connection. Makes no sense to have that as mandatory, only as on/off user selectable option at all.

 

It actually is a mobile connection of sorts. I'm using an 30-day unlimited LTE subscription through a pocket wifi device for internet. It's cheap and fast so I can't really complain though.