MacBook Pro, Thousands of Colors • Hacker News Board

Re: MacBook Pro, Thousands of Colors

#51

Post by fortybillion » Wed, Jul 15, 2009, 9:21 PM UTC

lutorm wrote: post #47

fortybillion wrote: post #39

This article seems to indicate the exact opposite; that the new Pro displays (including the 13") have markedly improved colour accuracy. "Colour accuracy in the three MacBook Pro displays is as right as we've seen in a laptop display, equal to or better than some midrange desktop displays and not that far off the level of colour correctness found in a premium desktop display." http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_p…

Color accuracy isn't so much color resolution. That's like the difference between precision and accuracy, you can have something accurate with poor precision, and vice versa.

When dealing with digital content, isn't accuracy what you're looking for? Properly calibrating a display would take care of the precision.

(Unless I'm confused here, which is entirely possible.)

Re: MacBook Pro, Thousands of Colors

#52

Post by SwellJoe » Wed, Jul 15, 2009, 9:25 PM UTC

jimboyoungblood wrote: post #49

SwellJoe wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Professionals in any creative industry need to be able to see or hear exactly what they are actually creating. This is why audio monitors for recording studios cost a lot, and don't "sound as good" to the untrained ear. Accuracy is what you are paying for. If it is inaccurate in any one direction, the potential for problems during reproduction on client machines (which could be inaccurate in the other direction; doub…

I don't buy the accuracy argument for a second. By working only on the most expensive, rarified equipment, the only thing you're ensuring is that your own experience will be drastically different from 99.9% of end users. Imagine if the guy responsible for developing new recipes for McDonalds insists that his "creative work" only be done with organic Niman ranch beef.

I don't buy the accuracy argument for a second.

Seriously?

I hope you're not a designer, videographer, photographer, or recording engineer.

Imagine if the guy responsible for developing new recipes for McDonalds insists that his "creative work" only be done with organic Niman ranch beef.

The point. You missed it. You're not even close. It's way over there.

The monitor is the measuring cups, not the ingredients.

Re: MacBook Pro, Thousands of Colors

#53

Post by zaius » Wed, Jul 15, 2009, 9:31 PM UTC

tedunangst wrote: post #42

TrevorJ wrote: post #6

Surprising hardware spec choice given the the market penetration Apple has in the design profession.

Is there an output device other than a "pro" monitor with the same range? If the consumers of your work don't have 8 bit displays, how will they know the difference? It sounds like he was happy with it until he took it apart. If you only discover it's not good enough after checking the part number, I think maybe it is good enough. Anyway, is there a picture somewhere I can download that will show me how awful my shit…

Just a guess: it's probably 6/8 bits per R/G/B.

Re: MacBook Pro, Thousands of Colors

#54

Post by jjs » Wed, Jul 15, 2009, 9:33 PM UTC

SwellJoe wrote: post #30

So how does one tell whether a monitor is 6-bit or 8-bit?

If you can't tell by sight, then you don't need it.

Re: MacBook Pro, Thousands of Colors

#55

Post by anigbrowl » Wed, Jul 15, 2009, 9:34 PM UTC

old-gregg wrote: post #24

cabalamat wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Indeed. A 6 bit display in 2009 is inexcusible; I had to check the date of the article because I wasn't sure it had been written this millenium

If you've been paying attention you would have noticed that the tech goes backwards in the world of LCDs: as time goes on, high-quality LCDs are being displaced by 6-bit junk-panels not only in laptops (there isn't a single one 8-bit LCD laptop available in US right now) but even in desktops as well: 20" iMacs are 6-bit too. Viewing angles and contrast ratios are shrinking as well, hence the disgusting proliferation…

Probably the recession has something to do with it. Right now the smart thing to do is compete on price rather than features. 2-3 years from now, the pendulum may swing back the other way.

Re: MacBook Pro, Thousands of Colors

#56

Post by tdavis » Wed, Jul 15, 2009, 9:38 PM UTC

TrevorJ wrote: post #6

Surprising hardware spec choice given the the market penetration Apple has in the design profession.

Apple has been using comparatively low-quality panels in their laptops for a while. I ran into an issue like this when researching my 17" Macbook Pro purchase in late 2006. I still ended up making the purchase, but it was indeed a lower-quality screen with very apparent dithering under certain color profiles.

Re: MacBook Pro, Thousands of Colors

#57

Post by vetinari » Wed, Jul 15, 2009, 9:41 PM UTC

eli wrote: post #14

proee wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You didn't read the article. He would be glad to upgrade to the 15" MacBook but Apple will not tell him if it's a true 8-bit display. He's simply wants the TRUE specs on the machine.

Yeah, and they don't want to tell him. So... He can either A) do a google search (which indicates that yes, the 15" does have 8-bit color) or B) Give up on Apple and get a different brand/OS

Sadly no, MBP15 has also 6-bit TN display.

Re: MacBook Pro, Thousands of Colors

#58

Post by lallysingh » Wed, Jul 15, 2009, 9:41 PM UTC

axod wrote: post #50

cabalamat wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Indeed. A 6 bit display in 2009 is inexcusible; I had to check the date of the article because I wasn't sure it had been written this millenium

Can the human eye seriously tell the difference? I'd be interested in some stats...

The eye can see lots more than 262,144 colors. What's the number, 10 mil? Quick googling gave varying results, depending on what's counted as a distinct color (e.g. differences in luminance).

Re: MacBook Pro, Thousands of Colors

#59

Post by ynniv » Wed, Jul 15, 2009, 9:44 PM UTC

axod wrote: post #50

cabalamat wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Indeed. A 6 bit display in 2009 is inexcusible; I had to check the date of the article because I wasn't sure it had been written this millenium

Can the human eye seriously tell the difference? I'd be interested in some stats...

Yes, when next to similar colors - ie, smooth gradients will show banding.

Re: MacBook Pro, Thousands of Colors

#60

Post by tdavis » Wed, Jul 15, 2009, 9:47 PM UTC

old-gregg wrote: post #24

cabalamat wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Indeed. A 6 bit display in 2009 is inexcusible; I had to check the date of the article because I wasn't sure it had been written this millenium

If you've been paying attention you would have noticed that the tech goes backwards in the world of LCDs: as time goes on, high-quality LCDs are being displaced by 6-bit junk-panels not only in laptops (there isn't a single one 8-bit LCD laptop available in US right now) but even in desktops as well: 20" iMacs are 6-bit too. Viewing angles and contrast ratios are shrinking as well, hence the disgusting proliferation…

Right on the money. Most people have no idea how difficult (and expensive) it is to acquire a decent non-TN LCD. And even when you find one, nobody ever gives the bit depth.

The reason the quality has been (and is) receding is because manufacturers have noticed that most people can't tell the difference between e.g. TN and IPS displays, so they produce the former, which are much cheaper. And better options are being phased out all the time; the two LCDs I have were phased out within a couple years. An S-IPS panel now costs at least $100 more than a same-size TN panel, and usually at much lower advertised contrast ratios, which further puts off consumers. Pretty much the only people who buy the good stuff now know their stuff, and we pay a premium because of it.