Twisted Chaz Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Helix Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 (edited) 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 September 18, 2009 by Phantom Helix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twisted Chaz Posted September 18, 2009 Author Share Posted September 18, 2009 MacBookPro5,1 OS X Version 10.5.7 Build Number 9J61 That's all I can find Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Helix Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 MacBookPro5,1OS X Version 10.5.7 Build Number 9J61 That's all I can find I edited my post, did you look for the setting under Display in system Preferences? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twisted Chaz Posted September 18, 2009 Author Share Posted September 18, 2009 No I tried that, but it didn't solve the problem. The whole screen goes darker, dock and menu also go darker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.Kompressor Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 I have noticed this also...it's a feature I think but don't know where to turn it off. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Helix Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 this is a reliable reaction, meaning you can make it do this whenever you want? just viewing a dark or light image or webpage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twisted Chaz Posted September 18, 2009 Author Share Posted September 18, 2009 yep, happens on command as it where Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damian Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 You can turn off Auto brightness in: System preferences > Displays [edit] nevermind, you already tried. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.Kompressor Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 ok I think this is it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Helix Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 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 You can turn off Auto brightness in: System preferences > Displays Um yea thats the setting ive been talking about Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliott Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 You can turn off Auto brightness in: System preferences > Displays :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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twisted Chaz Posted September 18, 2009 Author Share Posted September 18, 2009 Don't want to sound rude Damian, but I've already tried that, as posted. Ok, just tried to make it happen again. It only happens on my external screen, which is placed infront of my macbook. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Helix Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 What kind of screen? Apple or other? and when you open the display setting a seperate window should open for each screen, ON each screen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twisted Chaz Posted September 18, 2009 Author Share Posted September 18, 2009 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliott Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Helix Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twisted Chaz Posted September 18, 2009 Author Share Posted September 18, 2009 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Helix Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 (edited) 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 September 18, 2009 by Phantom Helix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damian Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 Try using your MBP in clamshell mode and see if the problem still occurs. If it is, you can rule out problems with the ambient light sensor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashpowell Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 I have a Samsung Syncmaster, Try turning off Magic Colour on the actual monitor, messes with colours on mine. Could work :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliott Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twisted Chaz Posted September 18, 2009 Author Share Posted September 18, 2009 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashpowell Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 gdgd, also makes some whites look peach? daft... but makes most stuff more vibrant so i keep it on lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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