The Mighty Schwein
Member
So after having seen 3 of the new red/black DS Lite systems (aka Brain Age 2 bundle) it has come to my attention that Nintendo has almost definitely changed the LCD screens in either some or all DS Lite systems. Apparently, I'm the only one noticing this (which is pretty odd..) and it's even possible that these new LCD screens have been making their way into DS Lite systems for many months now. If they are making their way in now then it should only be a matter of time before they all have this new screen.
Oh, did I mention the new screens aren't as good as the old ones? Whoops.
So whats going on at the Big N? Cutting cost to maximize profit for the holiday season? Are the 3 I've seen simply from a bunk batch of DS Lites? Hard questions to answer. Previously I was posting my findings in the Brain Age 2 topic where it obviously wasn't getting the attention it needed to answer these questions.
So here I go again presenting the flaws of the new screens:
Viewing Angle
This is what I noticed right away. These new screens have a very diminished viewing angle. I suppose this is the easiest way to find out if you've got new screens or old..
Note the following:
1) It is most important to note that while the red/black DS Lite screens appear much darker they are not. This is merely an effect of the colors inverting themselves much more quickly than my older black DS Lite. At a normal viewing angle the screen appears equally as bright.
2) The red at the top screen is quickly muted and most all colors have inverted themselves much more quickly like the calendar/clock in particular. (at extreme angles the older DS Lite will appear to have these same colors)
Ghosting
Here is a hard test to repeat with outstanding results since so many GBA/DS games have those bright cheery colors everywhere. However, I just happened upon to the perfect candidate that immediately presents the problem. That being Max Payne on the GBA, plenty of black and other dark shades here. As everyone should know these are the colors that bad LCDs begin to barf on.
Unfortunately, my camera is pretty naff and I couldn't get it to focus in on the screen properly. Despite this, the difference can still be seen. Though some of the more atrocious effects are virtually invisible due to the blur (or frame rate too perhaps) like the brown-ish border on the leftmost wall that really loves to ghost into a pretty bad after image.
Ghosting test for a launch day Red/Black DS Lite
Ghosting test for a launch day Black DS Lite
Simply pay attention to the black area on top of the pillar just to the right of the character. You'll see the black DS Lite has a very minor amount (I don't think any ever said the DS Lite had zero ghosting..) trailing behind it as it moves quickly, but on the red/black DS Lite this black trail is quite large in comparison.
So, in conclusion, these new screens (to me) are obviously not as good as the old ones. How much worse they are to everyone else will depend. For me, it was enough to return my system as I've already got a black DS Lite with very nice screens that works great. It is unfortunate that these are side effects of the LCD technology that still linger, and it is even more unfortunate that you don't need DS Lite systems side by side to tell the difference.
Doesn't that just beg the question: Did Nintendo to knowingly make the switch to screens that aren't at least equally as good as the older ones? In a handheld where you have no choice but to use the built in screens? Ugh.
But thats beside the point. The point here is to figure out how widespread this is. Does this affect only the red/black DS Lites? If so, how many does it affect? Have systems manufactured within the last few months also been given these screens? Is it only affecting systems being produced at a certain location? Am I just crazy?
Well, that's the call. So if you have purchased a DS Lite recently (better yet, the new red/black one) compare it with an older DS Lite (or from memory I suppose) and report your findings. We live in an age where hardware revisions mean something more than just cosmetic looks, aaaand it blows.
Oh, did I mention the new screens aren't as good as the old ones? Whoops.
So whats going on at the Big N? Cutting cost to maximize profit for the holiday season? Are the 3 I've seen simply from a bunk batch of DS Lites? Hard questions to answer. Previously I was posting my findings in the Brain Age 2 topic where it obviously wasn't getting the attention it needed to answer these questions.
So here I go again presenting the flaws of the new screens:
Viewing Angle
This is what I noticed right away. These new screens have a very diminished viewing angle. I suppose this is the easiest way to find out if you've got new screens or old..
Note the following:
1) It is most important to note that while the red/black DS Lite screens appear much darker they are not. This is merely an effect of the colors inverting themselves much more quickly than my older black DS Lite. At a normal viewing angle the screen appears equally as bright.
2) The red at the top screen is quickly muted and most all colors have inverted themselves much more quickly like the calendar/clock in particular. (at extreme angles the older DS Lite will appear to have these same colors)
Ghosting
Here is a hard test to repeat with outstanding results since so many GBA/DS games have those bright cheery colors everywhere. However, I just happened upon to the perfect candidate that immediately presents the problem. That being Max Payne on the GBA, plenty of black and other dark shades here. As everyone should know these are the colors that bad LCDs begin to barf on.
Unfortunately, my camera is pretty naff and I couldn't get it to focus in on the screen properly. Despite this, the difference can still be seen. Though some of the more atrocious effects are virtually invisible due to the blur (or frame rate too perhaps) like the brown-ish border on the leftmost wall that really loves to ghost into a pretty bad after image.
Ghosting test for a launch day Red/Black DS Lite
Ghosting test for a launch day Black DS Lite
Simply pay attention to the black area on top of the pillar just to the right of the character. You'll see the black DS Lite has a very minor amount (I don't think any ever said the DS Lite had zero ghosting..) trailing behind it as it moves quickly, but on the red/black DS Lite this black trail is quite large in comparison.
So, in conclusion, these new screens (to me) are obviously not as good as the old ones. How much worse they are to everyone else will depend. For me, it was enough to return my system as I've already got a black DS Lite with very nice screens that works great. It is unfortunate that these are side effects of the LCD technology that still linger, and it is even more unfortunate that you don't need DS Lite systems side by side to tell the difference.
Doesn't that just beg the question: Did Nintendo to knowingly make the switch to screens that aren't at least equally as good as the older ones? In a handheld where you have no choice but to use the built in screens? Ugh.
But thats beside the point. The point here is to figure out how widespread this is. Does this affect only the red/black DS Lites? If so, how many does it affect? Have systems manufactured within the last few months also been given these screens? Is it only affecting systems being produced at a certain location? Am I just crazy?
Well, that's the call. So if you have purchased a DS Lite recently (better yet, the new red/black one) compare it with an older DS Lite (or from memory I suppose) and report your findings. We live in an age where hardware revisions mean something more than just cosmetic looks, aaaand it blows.