[PROBLEM] Mac Brightness Changing Automatically


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Hi,

I've got a MacBook Pro, haven't been using it for that long and I've come across a really irritating problem.

Whenever I got on a website that has a black background, or is a dark colour scheme, the brightness will change and the screen will go really dark. But then I go back to a light page and it will change the brightness back up.

If anyone has a solution I'd love to know. Google isn't that great when you search anything to do with Mac and Brightness.

Cheers guys

The actual screen brightness changes?

What model MBP? What year? What OS X version?

I think I found your problem, there is an ambient light sensor that automatically changes the screen brightness to help alleviate eye strain.

If the room where your MBP is not very well lit, the amount of light from your screen while displaying a mostly white or light background will cause the sensor to think your screen is to bright and adjust it.

When the screen or background is mostly black or dark the sensor will think it needs to be adjusted again.

There is a setting in System Preferences to change this behavior under the Display settings

Edited by Phantom Helix
  Twisted Chaz said:
yep, happens on command as it where

Well if changing that Ambient light sensor function doesn't fix it the LED backlight might be fubared in your screen, maybe a Gamma Setting also, try re-calibrating your monitor in display "Calibrate" tab >> calibrate button

  Damian. said:
You can turn off Auto brightness in: System preferences > Displays

post-55766-1253278388.png

Um yea thats the setting ive been talking about

  Damian. said:
You can turn off Auto brightness in: System preferences > Displays

post-55766-1253278388.png

:yes: That should solve your problem. It's a feature of the MacBook Pro line, but in a poorly lit room, your screen is really the only light source it has to go off of.

  Twisted Chaz said:
It's a Samsung SyncMaster T200, and yes the Display settings panel appears on both screens with seperate options. But it doesn't have an ambient light option on the Samsung.

MacBooks don't do the auto-adjustment for external screens. Have you tried the screen on another system (if you have another) to see if the same problem occurs?

well, i'm out of ideas, been searching the inerwebz during this and haven't anything else yet sorry Bro :(

what kind of connection? DVI to VGA or mini-DVI to VGA and who is the manufacturer if the adapter? Apple or other?

  Twisted Chaz said:
The adapter is from Apple, just the Display Port to DVI.

So weird that there doesn't seem to be any mention of this on google.

Well all i got was the ALS topics http://lmgtfy.com/?q=macbook+pro+screen+brightness+changing

Try Downloading the firmware update for the adapter (Yes they have firmware) ill look for it for you gimme a little bit

Ok, guess i was wrong, the mini-DVI to VGA has firmware, apparently the standard Displayport to DVI does not

Edited by Phantom Helix
  Phantom Helix? said:
Ok, guess i was wrong, the mini-DVI to VGA has firmware, apparently the standard Displayport to VGA does not

Slight correction on that: The Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter has a firmware update, the Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter (which he is using) does not:p:p

I personally haven't had any problems with my Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter, but I've only used it on a 20" Cinema Display and a Samsung TV (after converting HDMI to DVI with another cable). Try doing what ashpowell suggested, I guess:p:p

  ashpowell said:
I have a Samsung Syncmaster, Try turning off Magic Colour on the actual monitor, messes with colours on mine. Could work :)

BINGO!

I just found it moments before you posted.

Why the hell would you want a monitor to auto adjust it's brightness and contrast. Doesn't even make sense, but that's a whole other topic right there.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and speed of replies.

Much appreciated.

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