"Automatic brightness' and watching DVDs

[eVolcre]

I had never seen my screen at full brightness and just for kicks I went in and turned it up. WOAH!!! Its BRIGHT. I do like the automatic sensor though, where it adjusts according to ambient light. Now that would work great for regular computer use, but what about when watching DVDs? Is there a particular brightness that is optimal for movies?

What do you guys do? Use the automatic sensor or bypass it?

eV

 

[howesey]

The sensor only changes the brightness of the white LED while it is in sleep mode, it does not do anything to the screen brightness.

 

[eVolcre]

No way dude! There's a feature that is activated in the 'display' section of the system preferences. It adjusts the brightness of the screen depending on the ambient light in the room. I had the menu open while I turned lights on and off and it was CLEARLY moving the brightness up and down.

 

[apunkrockmonk]

I personally bypass the sensor. Mainly because when plugged into an AC outlet I max it out and usually when on battery power I put it as low as possible while still being able to see the screen.

 

[matticus008]

The screen will adjust to the proper brightness regardless of the application, but proper brightness is purely a proportional response to the amount of detected light. If the sensor and you disagree, a few taps of the brightness keys will win the argument for you.

 

[domzanghi]

Now that would work great for regular computer use, but what about when watching DVDs? Is there a particular brightness that is optimal for movies?
eV

I am very critical when it comes to monitor calibration. I recommend calibrating your monitor using Apple's Display Calibrator (System Preferences>Displays>Color tab>click Calibrate). It's fairly simple to set up and it optimizes your monitor.

Each monitor you use should be calibrated differently, as no monitor is exactly the same. You should calibrate your monitor in the environment that you most frequently use your monitor in (whether the window shade is open, or the lights are on, etc.).

Once you set up your monitor w/ Display Calbirator, double check it with this site. Overall, LCD displays shouldn't be used for critical color/brightness viewing because the brightness changes even with different viewing angles.

To answer the above question, there isn't a particular brightness or calibration to watch movies. The better your monitor is calibrated, the closer it will be to the intended viewing environment by the director/cinematographer.

Again, for people that don't need to be extremely critical of monitors, LCD displays & non-perfect calibrated monitors are fine (especially the higher end monitors).