Antec Fusion Remote Black

[luisolp]

The backlight of imon lcd is too bright. I know this problem depends on Antec filter like the Imon moderator saids in this thread http://soundgraph.com/Eng_/Forum/ForumDetail.aspx?topMenu=4&subMenu=4&writingId=2774&TB=T&CurrentPage=1&fcStateId=1&writingLevel=8 .
I'd like to know if you can tell me how to modify this filter to risolve my problem, because now i have to turn off your display in my htpc.
I see the picture of lcd on your site and it is a very beautiful display, i just want mine looks like that.
I suggest you to control your partner's quality (Antec) because on it depends your image.

Thanks in advance for your support.

Luigi Solpietro

[Ponders]

Hey Luigi

I also have a case from this range with an overbright display.
Although it's not top of my priorities right now, I plan to try some film
that you would use for tinting car windows. There's plenty on ebay if you
cant find any locally.

The tricky part will be removing the front panel as Antec's mechanical
drawings are about as much use as a handbrake on a canoe
[thanks google] :D

James

[luisolp]

Thanks James.Probably at least I'll try your solution, but for now I'm waiting for an official answer.

[slash.kim]

Dear luisolp,

Did you try to adjust the contrast in iMON Manager > iMON Utilities > FrontView? Though the contrast and the brightness are different properties, the brightness of the negative type of LCD can be affected by the contrast.

Tinting the plastic/glass window in front of the LCD seems to be needed, if it looks very bright even after the adjustment of the contrast.

Could you take a picture of LCD and post it for reference?

Thanks and best regards,
slash.kim

[luisolp]

I try to adjust the contrast but this is the result: (Unfortunately I have no time now to take a picture of my display. I found this picture on internet from user that have the same problem, the only difference is the backlight color, mine is violet.http://blog.insanegenius.com/2008/04/antec-veris-fusion-black-htpc-case.html . The picture are in the middle of the page.

[Ponders]

Here's a couple from my case (Fusion Max)
I have contrast set two steps from left.

The first is slightly darker than experienced.
The second details a very narrow viewing angle.

[luisolp]

hi James ,
your display is like mine.

Very different from this where the background is black and the only visible symbols are the ones that are lit up.

[luisolp]

Hi slash.kim,
I'd like to know what do you think about the differences between the picture of James's display and the official picture of the product.




Thanks
Luigi

[slash.kim]

Dear luisolp,

The James's display looks the contrast is worse than that of official picture. The turned-off icons are shown and the blank area is brighter than that of the official picture.
In order to reduce this kind of outlooking, some filter windows are normally used in front of LCD. We are using a dark half-mirror window in our retail product (iMON UltraBay).

Thanks and best regards,
slash.kim

[Shamalam]

Currently I've had (and returned as faulty) 6 Fusion cases.

All have been returned because the LCD's are clearly faulty (pics enclosed), they're basically a pink square that is ridiculously overbright. Changing the contrast makes no difference.

To top off the LCD issues, the display doesn't shut down when the PC does (despite the option being set in the software). The only way to get the LCD to turn off when the PC is shutdown appears to be to disconnect the entire machine from the power socket. The LCDs are faulty both at an operational level, and in terms of their display.

Antec claim there is nothing wrong with the LCD's on fusion cases, so zero help there. In regard to the Fusion range of cases, I have found the warranty isn't worth the paper it's printed on.

A complete waste of time and effort. The cases would be better if they simply didn't include an LCD.

I have yet to see a user review (i.e store bought case) of this range of cases that doesn't have a major complaint about the LCD.

All in all I'd have to say that it'd be better to avoid this range of cases until Antec/Soundgraph get their act together and fix the eyesight on their QA staff. I really can't understand how this case got out to retail in the state it's in unless a high proportion of employee's are visually impaired. Terrible!

[Shamalam]

I suggest you to control your partner's quality (Antec) because on it depends your image.

Couldn't agree more.

[Shamalam]

Thanks James.Probably at least I'll try your solution, but for now I'm waiting for an official answer.


You won't get one, Antec have been stonewalling on the issue for months and months. They won't respond to any emails about it, whether they be enquiries or complaints.

If you phone them up they insist that there is no issue with the Fusion cases, despite there clearly being a problem if you use your eyes.

[Peligroso]

I also have a Fusion Remote (Silver) and the LCD is burning my eyes. It's such a shame as the display obviously looks fine in the imon pictures but the one in the Antec cases looks like crap. Please tell me there's a way to sort this somehow.

[luisolp]

Hi slash.kim

you said
We are using a dark half-mirror window in our retail product (iMON UltraBay).
slash.kim

Where can I buy it?
Can I buy it directly from Soundgraph ?

Thanks

[slash.kim]

Hi slash.kim
Where can I buy it?
Can I buy it directly from Soundgraph ?

Dear luisolp,

The half mirror window used on iMON UltraBay is not for sale. The size and the shape of the window used in iMON Ultrabay are different from ones of htpc case.

You might try to use tinting films.

Thanks and best regards,
slash.kim

[mediocaballero]

You might try to use tinting films.


I'm an Antec Fusion Remote Black user with the very same problem :-(

Could you please provide a link or an example of such tinting film?

[luisolp]

Could you please provide a link or an example of such tinting film?

I'm interesting too

[Shamalam]

I'm interesting too

Same here, I tried many thin film and plastic manufacturers in the UK, but they don't supply in anything like the low quantities you would want.

Unless you can give them accurate figures for the tint colour and amount of darkening you require it's pretty hard to get anywhere.

[iMON]

Dear All,

I will close this thread NOW. For some reason if you would like to open this thread please send Private message to Me, with reason for why you want to open this thread. You can send Private message by clicking 'iMON->send a private message to iMON' in the Left corner of this Post, below the Date and Time of Post. I will Open the thread for further discussion or take necessary action depending on the nature of your issue.

regards

iMON

[iMON]

Dear All ,

I reopened this thread as, there is still open questions in this thread.
Sorry for my mistake.
//Luisolp & Shamalam Thanks for the Private Messages pointing this.

regards

iMON

[tororm]

Looking at the screen on my OEM LCD, it looks like a parallel LCD.

On most LCD displays you can solder on a potentiometer to one of the pins, a quick spin will adjust the brightness.. Perhaps one of the mods can advise of the pin number.

[Shamalam]

bump

[Shamalam]

bump

[Shamalam]

Could the standard of support be any lower?

So far it's been about as helpful as a fart in a spacesuit.

Come on Soundgraph, pull the finger out....

[Shamalam]

bump

[Shamalam]

bump

[slash.kim]

Same here, I tried many thin film and plastic manufacturers in the UK, but they don't supply in anything like the low quantities you would want.

Unless you can give them accurate figures for the tint colour and amount of darkening you require it's pretty hard to get anywhere.

Looking at the screen on my OEM LCD, it looks like a parallel LCD.

On most LCD displays you can solder on a potentiometer to one of the pins, a quick spin will adjust the brightness.. Perhaps one of the mods can advise of the pin number.

Dear Shamalam and tororm,

I'm sorry to be here again too lately.
Because my main roll is software development and I do not know many things about the information you want to get, I should ask it to related team. However, regret to say, I did not ask yet. It's my fault. I missed this thread and it took long time without answer.

I'll check the information you'd like to get and leave message here soon.

Thanks and best regards,
slash.kim

[Shamalam]

Thankyou! Perhaps the film would be a good addition to the "soon to be" online store.

[gutsomejuy]

I’m having exactly the same problem. What a shockingly bad display!!!

Also trying to download the latest software to work with windows 7.... keeps dropping out.


COme on lets have a solution!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Shamalam]

Dear Shamalam and tororm,

I'm sorry to be here again too lately.
Because my main roll is software development and I do not know many things about the information you want to get, I should ask it to related team. However, regret to say, I did not ask yet. It's my fault. I missed this thread and it took long time without answer.

I'll check the information you'd like to get and leave message here soon.

Thanks and best regards,
slash.kim

Thanks for at least being honest. However, if you can respond here to say you haven't asked the appropriate people, wouldn't it be easier to simply ask the appropriate people?

Have you asked them now?

Is there ever going to be any sort of helpful response to any of the questions posed?

It's not looking promising.

Please attempt to ask the appropriate people so this issue can be resolved.

This issue has been running for months and months.

There is no good excuse for your standard of support being this poor! (see "None Existant!")

Regards
S

[Shamalam]

bump

[Shamalam]

bump

bump.

[JSmith19]

bump.

Bump again :(:mad::confused:

[BadWindow]

I have the same problem with the display. Background is gray instead of black because of to heavy backlight. LCD came with Thermaltake Case
iMon firmware: 0x380208

Returning the case to reseller is no option.

:mad:

I'll contact thermaltake. Maybee they can HELP us!
At Soundgraph!!! Whats the problem in fixing this bug? People payed for a very poor product and are ignored!

If this goes on i'll put a website online with the url: www.soundgraphbug.com to warn other customers and bundle our complaints against this verry disappointing product!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pauls]

Such a simple problem, such a simple solution for soundgraph.
And still they are not taking us customers serious.

This is indeed the very last time i ever bought a product with soundgraph parts in it.
I will go to the bookstore and see if they have some dark foil.
I've tried it with the foil of a pair of 3D glasses and it looked promising.

Paul

[sunkiss]

Dear iMon Tech Team,

The silence in this matter makes me think, its not possible to adjust the backlight's brightness from software.
Please let us know if we cannot count on the software updates to solve this.
If thats the case, Please offer for Sale an LCD "protector" film/foil, which could provide the SAME contrast/brightness as seen on the official product photos!!!!

Or at least publish a "hardware mod" to build a pot in the LCD panel, so the backlight would be adjustable.

Looking forward to Your answear,
Daniel

[Shamalam]

Looking forward to Your answear,
Daniel

As are we all, I'm not holding my breath though, soon I'll have been waiting for any response that makes any sense for nearly a year!

It would be a compliment to call the standard of support from Soundgraph a joke, in reality it's simply none existant.

[sunkiss]

Its a "User Forum".
Now we know what it means.......
Users can discuss their problems with each other :D

[Shamalam]

Hehe.. You're certainly not wrong :confused:

[dk.jung]

Dear Customers,

Sorry for the late reply. We were busy to prepare new beta version and Christmas holidays. For this issue, we already talked about our position. I will explain about it and find out something we can help you.

When we supplied VFD product to HTPC market, we got many requests from the end users that they would like to see non-English characters at the display because VFD only can show some limited ASCII codes at that time. So we designed new LCD which can show the 2Byte characters with some useful icons for playback information. This is the current LCD products and there were 4 different colors but now we unified it as black/white LCD. As you might know, we need to make it as bright as possible for the livingroom usage. The contrast of LCD issue has some technical limitation because this is not so expensive LCD units. After we announce this LCD model to HTPC markets, many of our ODM/OEM customers choose this LCD rather than existing VFD because it has better performance/cost ratio.

When we showed our LCD product to HTPC case manufacturers we provide them a guideline of cover window with our retail products, UltraBay which uses the same LCD products. We used half mirror type cover window in front of this LCD and it works nicely and cover the week point of contrast LCD.

As we told you before, we did not provide LCD cover to our ODM/OEM customers and the size of cover comes from different vendor are different. So currently, we cannot give you the answer that you want at this time. We already notify this kind of issue to our ODM/OEM customers and they may change the cover window later I expect. But they do not talk with us about this issue.

One thing we think about this issue is that we will announce the new OLED product to the HTPC market, we already had a prototype of it but its cost is higher than the existing VFD and LCD product. Because of the tough economic condition, our ODM/OEM customers could not use this new OLED product and our project of it was delayed for a while. But I think that we can supply this new OLED product for the HTPC market from the April of next year and in that time, we can supply them through our online shop. This OLED display module can be mounted using same mounting hole and you can remove LCD and use this new OLED instead of it if you like it.

Or you can ask the half mirror window later when our ODM/OEM customers starts to supply the new Window for LCD product. This could be the second option. Later, we will prepare the video to compare the difference of contrast of LCD when we use the different type of window and upload it to this forum for your understanding.

Thanks and regards...

[Alcahest]

This OLED display module can be mounted using same mounting hole and you can remove LCD and use this new OLED instead of it if you like it.

Happy Christmas dk.jung!
And wow, that does sound promising! :cool:

[dk.jung]

Dear Alcahest,

We are now doing our online shop which could be opened at the middle of next month and we hope that we can sell some new ODM/OEM units for replacement etc. When the OLED model finished and we are ready to support it using iMON/iMEDIAN HD, we will add this new model to our online shop as well.

It is little bit late but Merry Christmas and Happy New Year...

[Shamalam]

When we showed our LCD product to HTPC case manufacturers we provide them a guideline of cover window with our retail products, UltraBay which uses the same LCD products. We used half mirror type cover window in front of this LCD and it works nicely and cover the week point of contrast LCD.

In that case could you re-itterate this information to Antec?

After nearly a year of discussing the issue with Antec, it's clear that they have no clue about what this filter is.

Clearly there is a serious issue of a lack of communication between Soundgraph and Antec.

[Shamalam]

bump

[mediocaballero]

We used half mirror type cover window in front of this LCD and it works nicely and cover the week point of contrast LCD.



Could you be more precise on the specs of this type of cover, such as the reflectance percentage, so maybe we can try to find a filter with simmilar effects?

May I suggest you try to find such a filter yourselves and sell it in the online shop?

I'd buy a filter to install myself for a few bucks, but sorry, after the failure of the current LCD model I'm not eager to spend a lot of cash in a new OLED display...

[xamul]

I have the same issue on my imon lcd display.
Soundgraph says that tey use a half mirror cover to make contrast, but nobody can tell how this cover is made and where to buy.

Can anybody who has an ultrabay say the contrast is OK?

My dubt is: Does this cover/filter really exist?
Why cant Soundgraph sell the one they use for the ultrabay as an ultrabay spare part?
I would buy it and adapt it in the best way to my dispaly, if its to big i'll try to cut a part if its to small i will have a part of my lcd display not covered. If I cannot fit it in anyway inside i will put it on top.

BUT...DOES THIS COVER REALLY EXIST?

[collin]

Dear Customers,

Sorry for the late reply. We were busy to prepare new beta version and Christmas holidays. For this issue, we already talked about our position. I will explain about it and find out something we can help you.

When we supplied VFD product to HTPC market, we got many requests from the end users that they would like to see non-English characters at the display because VFD only can show some limited ASCII codes at that time. So we designed new LCD which can show the 2Byte characters with some useful icons for playback information. This is the current LCD products and there were 4 different colors but now we unified it as black/white LCD. As you might know, we need to make it as bright as possible for the livingroom usage. The contrast of LCD issue has some technical limitation because this is not so expensive LCD units. After we announce this LCD model to HTPC markets, many of our ODM/OEM customers choose this LCD rather than existing VFD because it has better performance/cost ratio.

When we showed our LCD product to HTPC case manufacturers we provide them a guideline of cover window with our retail products, UltraBay which uses the same LCD products. We used half mirror type cover window in front of this LCD and it works nicely and cover the week point of contrast LCD.

As we told you before, we did not provide LCD cover to our ODM/OEM customers and the size of cover comes from different vendor are different. So currently, we cannot give you the answer that you want at this time. We already notify this kind of issue to our ODM/OEM customers and they may change the cover window later I expect. But they do not talk with us about this issue.

One thing we think about this issue is that we will announce the new OLED product to the HTPC market, we already had a prototype of it but its cost is higher than the existing VFD and LCD product. Because of the tough economic condition, our ODM/OEM customers could not use this new OLED product and our project of it was delayed for a while. But I think that we can supply this new OLED product for the HTPC market from the April of next year and in that time, we can supply them through our online shop. This OLED display module can be mounted using same mounting hole and you can remove LCD and use this new OLED instead of it if you like it.

Or you can ask the half mirror window later when our ODM/OEM customers starts to supply the new Window for LCD product. This could be the second option. Later, we will prepare the video to compare the difference of contrast of LCD when we use the different type of window and upload it to this forum for your understanding.

Thanks and regards...

So accordning to your quote you recommend that manufacturers use a "half mirror window" yet in your marketing information you mention and I quote " ODM/OEM LCD display is not as bright as VFD display, so you need make the front display using transparent acryl but it becomes totally black during power off. So it can keep the beautiful appearance. ". This would indicate that display that you provide to the OEM's is of MUCH poorer quality as it looks nothing close to what is in your marketing materials, which apparantly is accomplished with only transparent, or CLEAR acrylic. Please, do tell, how do you come up with such wonderful display quality, using only clear acrylic?

[Dweil]

Hi

I am the lucky owner of an Antec Fusion Remote Black and, with that, a Soundgraph Imon LCD. Like others, I became also aware that the LCD backlight is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too bright. Being an electronics engineer, not limited by any warranty, I opened up the LCD housing and placed a 220 Ohm 1/4 watt resistor in series with the backlight.

I am very pleased with the result, it looks much more like a VFD-like display, altough some backlight bleeding can still be seen, it is not nearly al unpleasant as before. Maybe a fix for all of you who also think the backlight is too bright?

If you want to see the result I can put up a picture at your request.

[Alcahest]

Nice work, please put a picture indeed!

[Dweil]

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/7345/p1010080cw.jpg (http://img10.imageshack.us/i/p1010080cw.jpg/)

Sorry for the poor quality, but you'll get a good impression. In fact, because the light is dim it seems a bit bright on the photo, but in real life the background of the LCD is *black*. The case is currently lacking its contents, so that is why this "expirimental setup". Also note that the ring around the power switch is green instead of the standard bright blue: It is actually a RGB LED. When the computer is off, it is orange, when on it is green and blue with harddrive activity. I did this so it matches my Harman Kardon AVR much better!

All of that is set by microcontroller, so I can adjust every color with every LED. I can make it blink, brighter, toggle, switch etc etc.. Maybe a good example for Soundgraph engineers to always leave room for as much control as possible!

[Shamalam]

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/7345/p1010080cw.jpg (http://img10.imageshack.us/i/p1010080cw.jpg/)

Awesome!

Don't suppose you could post a picture of the resistor in-place with the solder points visible?

I might give this case another go after seeing your LCD! It actually looks good!

[afisel]

I would also like to do that. I'm no electrician, but I'm not affraid of soldering. I would love some details.

[Dweil]

First of all, I would like to make clear that I can not be held responsible for, explicitly but not exclusively, any physical, mental, material, immaterial, emotional and other damage cause by anything I wrote down.

Open the top of your case and locate the three screws at the top that hold the front of the case. After you removed them, undo the three retaining clips at the bottom. now you could end up with something like this:

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/5527/p1010089g.jpg (http://img688.imageshack.us/i/p1010089g.jpg/)

It could be less cluttered in your case as I have an extra PCB for controlling the RGB LEDs for the power switch ring. Next, undo the four screws that hold the LCD module in place:

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/1798/p1010091d.jpg (http://img718.imageshack.us/i/p1010091d.jpg/)

Now you can flip the module and you can see the LCD. Uncrew the four screws that hold the PCB. Now you can clearly see the resistor (it reads red-red-brown for 220 Ohms).

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/6411/p1010093u.jpg (http://img211.imageshack.us/i/p1010093u.jpg/)

Again, from the other side.

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/7330/p1010094mo.jpg (http://img59.imageshack.us/i/p1010094mo.jpg/)

[Shamalam]

First of all, I would like to make clear that I can not be held responsible for, explicitly but not exclusively, any physical, mental, material, immaterial, emotional and other damage cause by anything I wrote down.

Brilliant, cheers!

[collin]

Another option may be to go with a polarizing lens such as this:

http://www.3dlens.com/shop/8-inch-lcd-polarizer.php

While it will not do wonders for the brightness of the display, it will bring the washed out background in check and improve the contrast dramatically. One side of the film is self stick so it will stick onto the display. the other side has a film to protect the surface during shipment. FWIW I got my order in a few days, from China even.

If you are not familiar with polarizing film, it must be rotated to the best position, you don't just square it up to the display and cut it to size, you must rotate it until you get the best quality and then measure and cut to fit. In my case I rotated the film to about 1o'clock(maybe 20degrees) and it gave me the best look without compromising the text. Too much will make the background look great but the text will be too dim to see from 10 feet away so it takes some experimenting. I tried to take some pictues but cheap digital cameras have their limitations and i wasn't going to go there. The company I purchased from has a $10 minimum order so I ordered in addition to the 8inch polarizer something else that cost like a $1, the whole order was around $14.

[sunkiss]

Thanx for the info, i really appreciate it!
Please post some photos, even if its not the best quality....

Another option may be to go with a polarizing lens such as this:

http://www.3dlens.com/shop/8-inch-lcd-polarizer.php

While it will not do wonders for the brightness of the display, it will bring the washed out background in check and improve the contrast dramatically. One side of the film is self stick so it will stick onto the display. the other side has a film to protect the surface during shipment. FWIW I got my order in a few days, from China even.

If you are not familiar with polarizing film, it must be rotated to the best position, you don't just square it up to the display and cut it to size, you must rotate it until you get the best quality and then measure and cut to fit. In my case I rotated the film to about 1o'clock(maybe 20degrees) and it gave me the best look without compromising the text. Too much will make the background look great but the text will be too dim to see from 10 feet away so it takes some experimenting. I tried to take some pictues but cheap digital cameras have their limitations and i wasn't going to go there. The company I purchased from has a $10 minimum order so I ordered in addition to the 8inch polarizer something else that cost like a $1, the whole order was around $14.

[collin]

OK I played with the settings on my camera(just got it recently) and got some pretty accurate shots of the display, so i've attached them here. It's still not ideal, i'd love to have a black background with blue text but I can live with what i've got now.

[Shamalam]

Much to my surprise I have been contacted by Antec today and asked to return my LCD for replacement.

They stated that they're aware of the problem and now have a solution. Hopefully this will be the end of the matter.

I would suggest the others who have posted here and elsewhere get in touch with Antec to get your LCD's fixed.

[mediocaballero]

Which branch of Antec support have you contacted? USA? EU?

[Alcahest]

And how would replacing the LCD change anything if it's the tint of the cover that goes OVER the LCD the source of the issue?

[mediocaballero]

Well, I think that the LCD goes in one piece. If it's replaced with another with some kind of tinting film over it, it should do the trick.

[Alcahest]

Hmm I already had my LCD replaced by Antec because of interference with other remotes. And there's nothing on the front of the LCD module itself. The Antec enclosure provides the transparent plastic part that sits in front of it...

Have you more infos Soundgraph?
Could it be that Antec will just stick the tinting film over it and send it back?
In which case I'd rather do it myself..

[mediocaballero]

@Shamalam, have you been asked to RMA the full case or just the LCD module?

[mediocaballero]

Any news on this issue?

I've asked Antec support on this issue and have been told to fill a RMA form.

Btw, on the form they say I should send only the defective part, not the full case...

UPDATE:
I've got my RMA number... I have to send the display to The Netherlands :-P

[mediocaballero]

Much to my surprise I have been contacted by Antec today and asked to return my LCD for replacement.


Hi!

Did you get your LCD back from Antec? Did it improve?

[jenso]

Hi

I have my LCD back from Antec. An dem LCD-Display wurde nichts verändert.
"Außer Spesen nichts gewesen".

[dirki1972]

First of all, I would like to make clear that I can not be held responsible for, explicitly but not exclusively, any physical, mental, material, immaterial, emotional and other damage cause by anything I wrote down.

Open the top of your case and locate the three screws at the top that hold the front of the case. After you removed them, undo the three retaining clips at the bottom. now you could end up with something like this:

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/5527/p1010089g.jpg (http://img688.imageshack.us/i/p1010089g.jpg/)

It could be less cluttered in your case as I have an extra PCB for controlling the RGB LEDs for the power switch ring. Next, undo the four screws that hold the LCD module in place:

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/1798/p1010091d.jpg (http://img718.imageshack.us/i/p1010091d.jpg/)

Now you can flip the module and you can see the LCD. Uncrew the four screws that hold the PCB. Now you can clearly see the resistor (it reads red-red-brown for 220 Ohms).

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/6411/p1010093u.jpg (http://img211.imageshack.us/i/p1010093u.jpg/)

Again, from the other side.

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/7330/p1010094mo.jpg (http://img59.imageshack.us/i/p1010094mo.jpg/)


Have someone try this ?
Because i cant find the points to insert the resistor?
The pictures are to small..... :-(

plz help

regards
dirki1972

[jrm]

What does that mean in English?

[dirki1972]

i already success, but i am boring to try more resistors, because the Display ist with 220 Ohm to dark for me. I cant read something over 1,5 m.

I will give the last try for the LCD Polarizer, Maybe this the best way for me.

I am already so angry with this stupid LCD. I cant understand why Soundgraph sale this Display to OEM Builder without the half black mirror. If sale without then they should force the OEM Builder to use this half black mirror, because this topic is not good for the Name "Soundgraph". Because the Customer are not angry with ANTEC, the first thought is, what Soundgraph sale?!? :confused:

[H3llron]

Hi Antec Fusion Remote Users,

whats up with your LCD's until now? Which solution you got to solve the "Brightness Problem"? The Resistor? The Cover? Did someone try "car window transperancy"?

Please post your experience because I want to keep the case... but the bright LCD is so %($/%$"&***... :mad:


Thank you!

[julago]

I'm a victim of the Antec Fusion too. LCD contrast is very poor. I soldered a bit inspired by the mod by Dweil and I used an adjustable resistor. It has to be soldered parallel to the two backlight solder points. Now I can controll the brightness. When the backlight is dimmed, the background appears dark. But simultaneously the dispayed text is dimmed too. So this works well for short distances, but if you are not right in front of the display its hard to read.
I also tried different foils. One thats made to shade car windows and an other one for antistatic. Both provide a darker background but also decrease the brightness of the displayed text. So it seems contrast and brightness are connected, no matter what you do.
After all a combination of the resistor adjustment and the software based contrast controll provide a displayed text thats not too bright but still readable at "living room distances". Compared to other LCDs (i. e. dbox2) its still very poor.

BTW: nice video by soundgraph (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9OxbwcXvig). But where to get these filters???

[luisolp]

BTW: nice video by soundgraph. But where to get these filters???
:eek:I want it,I need it please , I want to buy , soundgraph tell me I can.

[H3llron]

:eek:I want it,I need it please , I want to buy , soundgraph tell me I can.


Wow! I need that one, too... so I do not have to work with an adjustable resistor or some car transperancy.

Dear Soundgraph - pls tell us where to get this window showed in your video!

MfG

[julago]

They could make some money selling this on the shop.

But when you look at this topic, there has nothing been done for month, so i'm afraid we wont find a solution by soundgraph in the near future.
So lets help ourselfes!
I did some more tests. Every Lcd has polarization filters attached. So this might be missing at the Antec imon Lcd. I couldnt find one in the matching size, but a smaller one. If you turn the filter in front of the lcd it chnages from way too bright to very dark. But it doesnt dimm the displayed text the way the car foil did. So look at this pictures I took:

Thats the LCD as we know it:
http://www.abload.de/thumb/img00482_grenderns7la.jpg (http://www.abload.de/image.php?img=img00482_grenderns7la.jpg)

Now its dimmed with a adjustable resistor:
http://www.abload.de/thumb/img00483_grenderndwdg.jpg (http://www.abload.de/image.php?img=img00483_grenderndwdg.jpg)

I attached a small polarization filter on the lcd in horizontal alignment:
http://www.abload.de/thumb/img00486_grendern6jib.jpg (http://www.abload.de/image.php?img=img00486_grendern6jib.jpg)

Now the filter is sticked in the middle:
http://www.abload.de/thumb/img00487_grendernywj9.jpg (http://www.abload.de/image.php?img=img00487_grendernywj9.jpg)

As you can see, the filter does the trick. These filters can be bought for little money. Here in Germany I found a shop that is selling one in 8x17 cm for less than 9 Euro. I dont know if this filter is exactly the same that I used, but I will try it.

[Alcahest]

I wish to know when/if Soundgraph will be able to provide this filter as well!

[julago]

Now i talked to the guys at the shop (www.rebach-online.de) and they gave me a detailed answer (they even watched the soundgraph video). They dont believe that soundgraph uses polarization filters in front of the lcd. Instead they think it is just a simple shading foil. I think polarzation filters could be used, because they can be adjusted to provide every state of brightness just by turning them. After all the 'holy grail' is still the filter shown in the video. It fits perfectly and provides best results.
Meanwhile i asked Antec for the filter as well as Soundgraph. No answer yet...

[luisolp]

Dear Soundgraph we bought an Antec case with your lcd thinking it was a quality product , also supported by lcd's photo on your site. The lcd we have is very far from the lcd in your photo.Now , the solution is simple, we just have to put a filter in front of it, filter the you put in your retail product.We want to buy it, even if Antec should give it for free. I know it isn't your fault (even if you should control your partner), but if you care about your customer (also indirect customer) please add this filter in your shop .

[julago]

Even if the Soundgraph filter would be best choice I dont want to wait forever. If it is realy nothing more than a shading half mirrored foil then there should be some other manufacturers. A friend of mine is a professional in car foils. Maybe he could give me some samples to try out. If i can find one that matches the soundgraph filter, i will post the details.

[luisolp]

I agree with you, but I'd like Soundgraph takes care of its customer.

[luisolp]

Soundgraph added cover filter set for OEM LCD to its online shop.

Thanks Soundgraph

[Alcahest]

17 US$ for shipping? It's a bad joke.
This thing should be free (as it's to correct a problem after all!) or 5 US$ shipped.
This is nuts.

[luisolp]

I hope to pay "only" 17 USD, because seems EMS shipping is not available for my country (Italy)

[mediocaballero]

Yup... $27 total is a bit too much for something that should have been included with the case :-(

Soungraph, will you ship these to Antec? As they are responsible for the fault maybe they would provide us with one for free...

[julago]

Yes, but at least they sell it now. I combined the shipments with H3llron, so we can save some money.

[H3llron]

Yes :) That's very nice... Hope the solution will work without mounting a resistor or something else.

[D-Best]

Just bought this case, installed the software and iMON FrontView kept popping up and the controls kept going berserk. I found out that Antec put a screw through the wires and shorted out the knob.
http://imgur.com/CVrSBl.jpg

[julago]

Just a dead on arrival. Use your warranty. Seems Antec doesnt check the display after installing it. You can fix this by yourself in less than 5 minutes.

Btw, the filter sets i ordered just have arrived. Too bad i am not at home atm. I will make a review as soon as possible and figure out if it looks better than the polarization filter and the resistor dimmed Lcd. It will be interesting to compare with the soundgraph retail version pics.

[luisolp]

Hi julago, I'm so anxious waiting :) for your review.

Please let us know if the filters are a good solution for our problem.

[julago]

Okay here is a quick review.

After testing with resistor and polarization filter i finally got the original. The set contains 3 different shaded half mirrored filters. Each fits perfectly to the cut-out of the front of the antec case. It is equipped with two small adhesive stripes to stay in position. The filters are labeled as bright, middle and dark. Here you can see the difference:

http://www.abload.de/img/image1k5ui.jpg (http://www.abload.de/image.php?img=image1k5ui.jpg)

Its difficult to make suitable pictures with my cam, but you can see the filters getting darker from left to right. Even the bright one dimms the whole Lcd in an acceptable way. Characters and symbols which are not meant to be displayed are no longer visible.

I choose the bright one because of much ambient light.

http://www.abload.de/img/img00643_grendernpkm6.jpg (http://www.abload.de/image.php?img=img00643_grendernpkm6.jpg)

Here is a picture with flash, the displayed characters are still bright enough to be read.

http://www.abload.de/img/img00641_grendernv7an.jpg (http://www.abload.de/image.php?img=img00641_grendernv7an.jpg)

And another one which meets the real look best i think.

http://www.abload.de/img/img00635a_grenderng4k9.jpg (http://www.abload.de/image.php?img=img00635a_grenderng4k9.jpg)

After all this is the best solution i have tried so far. It looks like the one i have seen in videos of the Soundgraph retail products.
But even with these filters you have to keep in mind, that this is a Lcd and not a Vfd. The angle of view is still very important. Long distances are still a problem, for the Lcd is not as luminescent as a Vfd would be.

If it is worth the money? To me it is.
Shipping to europe is unnecessary expensive (USD 17). This could be shipped inside a letter. Someone who doesn't want to spend much money could find a satisfying solution by using a polarization filter. The other ones should at least try the filter set. The three different filters provide a large range of operation.

[luisolp]

Thanks julago, I ordered the filters set. Now airmail shipping is available (USD 1) so the total cost is less ten 10 euro.

If I understood ,I have to put the filter on the transparent window of the case and not directly on lcd.

[julago]

lol, looks like i fell into the early adopters trap. Payed USD 17 for shipping...

The filter is best mounted on the inside of the cases aluminium front. Then it will be right in front of the display. You will have to disassemble the display to do this. Easy to do.

howto:

Open the cases top. Release the three screws holding the cases aluminium front. Carefully shift the front untill the three clamps near the bottom get loose and let you flip down the whole front. Make sure the wires are not stretched too much.
The Lcd itself is attached to a small housing which is mounted to the front by four screws. Release such screws and carefully lift the Lcd unit and lift it to the side where it is connected with a cable.
Now you see the cut out in the front. Take your filter and release the adhesive protecting film. Now put the filter in place with the adhesive attached to the front. Make sure it covers the whole cut out.
Reassemble the case by mounting the Lcd and the front.

[luisolp]

looks like i fell into the early adopters trap. Payed USD 17 for shipping...
Sorry , it's my fault :)
After I insisted to have ems shipping (they said it's not available for Italy but I'm not sure of that), I finally have airmail shipping at USD 1 cost.
If you want i refund you:)

[PeterMac]

Did I have to open my front panel and apply this filter on display inside ? or I can apply it on front of case without opening ?

Soundgraph you should give some tutorial how to do that step by step :)

Thanks.

[luisolp]

julago but do i have to use the resistor too for best result?

[julago]

I removed the resistor. For those having problems with a too bright display i recommend to try the dark filter. You can still use the control panel in most display plugins to controll the contrast.
As i said it still cant be compared to a vfd. But with the filter its no longer looking like great case with cheap display.

[luisolp]

Ok, thanks

[JSmith19]

can I ask how long you guys have to wait before the filters are arrived after payment?
I wait now 3 weeks and still have nothing. Also no reaction on my mails.
Maybe someone from sound-graph can react here.

[luisolp]

Six days by airmail shipping

[JSmith19]

Ok thanks for the reaction I'll wait a few more days I saw PayPal Payment was done at 24 jun there was a delay with my payment there. So I hope I recieve the filters this week.

[luisolp]

I'm not from sound-graph :)

[JSmith19]

I know if you was you had the filters much quicker lol and not with airmail but thanks for the reaction. Now I know that it's cost a week to come to my home. The Dutch post isn't so quick either :(

And sorry for my terible English but I think you understand what I meen.

[luisolp]

What do You think I am ?
I live in Italy, and as You can see this thread was created by me.

[JSmith19]

What do You think I am ?
I live in Italy, and as You can see this thread was created by me.

Sorry if you understand me wrong I saw you're the topic starter but what I meen to say is that if you were from SoundGraph you've no problem then you can get is from your company. But you're a consumer just like me that's what I tought and meen.
No offence :)

[luisolp]

Don't warry, I'm not offended, I misunderstood you.

BTW Don't expect too much from the filter.

[JSmith19]

Don't warry, I'm not offended, I misunderstood you.

BTW Don't expect too much from the filter.

Ow ok NP happy that there is no misunderstanding anymore :)

But doesn't the filter solve the brighness problem??

[luisolp]

I try to explain you 'cos my english is terrible too :D

I didn't mount the filter yet . I put the dark filter outside the case just to see if it works.
The result didn't impress me , the difference seems to be very little.

[JSmith19]

I try to explain you 'cos my english is terrible too :D

I didn't mount the filter yet . I put the dark filter outside the case just to see if it works.
The result didn't impress me , the difference seems to be very little.

Ow okay I'll see when or if I receive mine.;)

just received a mail that it will immediately arrange for shipment now. So I'll have to wait a few more days and let you know if it works.

[Patango]

I installed my filters and it doesn't make much difference, the display still has a pink background, just a little less pink.

I don't think this is the solution to this problem :( It must be unique to Antec because my friend bought a Zalman 503 with the same LCD and it looks a million times better.

I think in the future I would avoid any products that contain this LCD, you don't know what you're going to end up getting with such a wide quality range.

[luisolp]

Finally , I installed my filters too, the dark one. But , like Patango wrote, it doesn't make much difference. My wife asked me if I put a mirrorr in PC :D.


@Pentago
Could You see what is the difference between Antec LCD and Zalman ?


@Soundgraph
Why doesn't Antec LCD + Filter look like the lcd's picture on your site?

[Patango]

Finally , I installed my filters too, the dark one. But , like Patango wrote, it doesn't make much difference. My wife asked me if I put a mirrorr in PC :D.


@Pentago
Could You see what is the difference between Antec LCD and Zalman ?


Hi, I can only look visually, because my friend doesn't want to dismantle the LCD, but from what I can tell it appears to come down to the LCD being the correct colour in the first place. I am unable to see any filter that would explain such a dramatic difference.

I guess Zalman have better quality control than Antec :(

[luisolp]

I can only look visually, because my friend doesn't want to dismantle the LCD

Try to pay him :D


BTW, SoundGraph please don't lie to us, the LCD shown here http://www.soundgraph.com/assets/Uploads/products/Pro_OEMLCD/Pro_OEMLCD_04.jpg is very different from ours.

There are only 2 options to explain this difference:
1) The LCDs you sell to Antec and the ones you sell to end user are of different quality
2) The filter you sold us are not the same you put on your LCDs.

Please would you tell us the truth?

[Patango]

bump

[johnny.hur]

Dear luisolp,

I’m sorry for the late reply and your inconvenience.

The LCD filter you have is the same with LCD filter in the picture at our On-line shop. And there may be little difference among LCD module between according to its production date but there is no significant difference.

Regards,
Johnny Hur

[DJ_POE]

I have tried this filter set too in the antec fusion case lcd it makes NO difference, this is a polarizing problem not a colour problem.im tempted to peel off the outer film of the lcd and see what happens with a polarizing filter there instead, its STILL PINK! a horrible colour i cannot understand why?

[DJ_POE]

Right people listen up, ive found out whats wrong with these LCD's in the antec cases, Antec have placed the outer polarizing film on the lcd at the wrong angle, ive just peeled the outer film off the lcd and turned it to the left about 10 degrees and its now showing perfect, dark blue background with pure white text! it comes off easily enough but take your time and dont pull it off too quickly or you will damage the liquid crystal,

Just wondering if soundgraph could sell the correct polarizing film to us and this problem will be solved.

Please reply soundgraph im awaiting your response.

[luisolp]

and its now showing perfect, dark blue background with pure white text Please could you post a picture of your lcd?

Thanks

[DJ_POE]

Ill try and get a pic on here for you asap

[DJ_POE]

Heres a pic i took, as you can see this solves the problem
http://www.soundgraph.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=382&stc=1&d=1287243034

[luisolp]

Thanks DJ_POE,
it's not like this http://www.soundgraph.com/assets/Uploads/products/Pro_OEMLCD/Pro_OEMLCD_03.jpg, but it's better than my lcd with filter.

So SoundGraph tell me how to transform our frog in this beautifull princess http://www.soundgraph.com/assets/Uploads/products/Pro_OEMLCD/Pro_OEMLCD_03.jpg. Do I have to kiss it ?:D

[DJ_POE]

It looks identical to that, the background is really dark its just the poor photo i took

[Shamalam]

Dear luisolp,

I’m sorry for the late reply and your inconvenience.

The LCD filter you have is the same with LCD filter in the picture at our On-line shop. And there may be little difference among LCD module between according to its production date but there is no significant difference.

Regards,
Johnny Hur

In other words:-

"We've got your money now go away".

[Shamalam]

Right people listen up, ive found out whats wrong with these LCD's in the antec cases, Antec have placed the outer polarizing film on the lcd at the wrong angle, ive just peeled the outer film off the lcd and turned it to the left about 10 degrees and its now showing perfect, dark blue background with pure white text! it comes off easily enough but take your time and dont pull it off too quickly or you will damage the liquid crystal,

Just wondering if soundgraph could sell the correct polarizing film to us and this problem will be solved.

Please reply soundgraph im awaiting your response.

Very interesting. I'll have to give it whirl.

[aquaspace]

Right people listen up, ive found out whats wrong with these LCD's in the antec cases, Antec have placed the outer polarizing film on the lcd at the wrong angle, ive just peeled the outer film off the lcd and turned it to the left about 10 degrees and its now showing perfect, dark blue background with pure white text! it comes off easily enough but take your time and dont pull it off too quickly or you will damage the liquid crystal,

Just wondering if soundgraph could sell the correct polarizing film to us and this problem will be solved.

Please reply soundgraph im awaiting your response.

I tried to do the trick. Peeled the polarized film off. In my case it should be turned about 45 degrees left to achieve beautiful blue color of the display.
I am sure Soundgraph knew it from the beginning. A professional lcd display manufacturer should know such things. They just try to avoid replacement of thousands faulty displays.

Now it is clear! And any independent expertize will easily find out that the display has defect in polarizing film.
I will certainly be disappointed if Soundgraph will keep telling untruth to us after this.

[luisolp]

I am sure Soundgraph knew it from the beginning. A professional lcd display manufacturer should know such things. They just try to avoid replacement of thousands faulty displays.
Now it is clear! And any independent expertize will easily find out that the display has defect in polarizing film.
I will certainly be disappointed if Soundgraph will keep telling untruth to us after this.

I couldn't agree with you more.

Dear Johnny Hur, we are waiting for the truth .

[DJ_POE]

Not so much a defect in the polarizing film but it hasnt been fitted properly, ive given up with soundgraph now, ive bought some red acetate and some polarizing film and its now a black background with bright red text: if youre interested in doing this peel off the original polarizer and bin it, first put some red acetate on the white lcd (bought from a good bookshop) turn it until the text is positive, then place some polarizing film on top and youl get bright red text.

http://www.3dlens.com/shop/lcdpolarizer.php

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/A4-Coloured-Acetate-Red-5-Sheets-/230535102529?pt=UK_Crafts_Children_s_Crafts_EH&hash=item35acf68041

When its done it looks like this:

http://www.acscontrol.com/Artwork/Products/LCD/128x64/LCD_128x64_Terminal_Red_StraightOn_311.jpg

[docbot]

any idea where I can get this polarising film from in the UK?

Thanks

Mark

[DJ_POE]

Cant find anywhere in the uk that sells it in small quantities found one on ebay but its expensive. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Polarising-Glass-Stress-Check-Polarizing-Film-21x15cm-/330472150142?pt=UK_Crafts_Glass_Art_Supplies_CV&hash=item4cf1acd47e

have a look here (http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/polarizer-film.html) see what you can find m8

[luisolp]

if youre interested in doing this peel off the original polarizer and bin it, first put some red acetate on the white lcd (bought from a good bookshop) turn it until the text is positive


Do you mean turn the polarizer ?

[DJ_POE]

No, turn the red acetate on the white screen until you see very faint positive text, then put the polarizing film on top, this also works for yellow acetate, if you want black background and bright yellow text.

[luisolp]

Do I have to turn the polarizing film also to find the right position ?
Can I use every acetate's colour ?
The acetate and polarizing film are adhesive?

Thanks DJ POE for your answers

SoundGraph I'm still waiting for the truth

[DJ_POE]

1: yes
2: no
3: only the polarizer is adhesive

The best results are with the yellow acetate because the background will be jet black with bright yellow text, with red the background will be dark red, the acetate isnt adhesive but its very easy to attach with a strip of double sided sticky tape at the top and bottom, the polarizing film is adhesive and will stick directly on top of the acetate sheet. The other option is use the light filter from the filter set stick that down on the screen first then stick the polarizer on top then you will get exactly the same colour as in the images from the soundgraph site.

http://www.soundgraph.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=383&stc=1&d=1287587403 What i find interesting is in the soundgraph test software its labelled as being an orange lcd? suppose it would look cool orange if you have a logitech g15 keyboard to match.

Take a look here (http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.densitron.com/uploadedImages/Displays/Products/Other_Products/Yellow%2520Instrument%2520Cropped.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.densitron.com/displays/content.aspx%3Fid%3D2016&usg=__S5vDBS7hFSyOJNKVymrp94hfxAg=&h=228&w=715&sz=55&hl=en&start=2&sig2=NE3Oh8TVQnc5BbxNw3sP8A&zoom=1&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=B7kAH-RbTEmutM:&tbnh=45&tbnw=140&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dorange%2Blcd%2Bmodule%2Bnegative%26um %3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26biw%3D1255%26bih%3D8 63%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=pAm_TLr4BYmDswbA5bzADQ)

[Shamalam]

1: yes
2: no
3: only the polarizer is adhesive

The best results are with the yellow acetate because the background will be jet black with bright yellow text, with red the background will be dark red, the acetate isnt adhesive but its very easy to attach with a strip of double sided sticky tape at the top and bottom, the polarizing film is adhesive and will stick directly on top of the acetate sheet. The other option is use the light filter from the filter set stick that down on the screen first then stick the polarizer on top then you will get exactly the same colour as in the images from the soundgraph site.

http://www.soundgraph.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=383&stc=1&d=1287587403 What i find interesting is in the soundgraph test software its labelled as being an orange lcd? suppose it would look cool orange if you have a logitech g15 keyboard to match.

Take a look here (http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.densitron.com/uploadedImages/Displays/Products/Other_Products/Yellow%2520Instrument%2520Cropped.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.densitron.com/displays/content.aspx%3Fid%3D2016&usg=__S5vDBS7hFSyOJNKVymrp94hfxAg=&h=228&w=715&sz=55&hl=en&start=2&sig2=NE3Oh8TVQnc5BbxNw3sP8A&zoom=1&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=B7kAH-RbTEmutM:&tbnh=45&tbnw=140&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dorange%2Blcd%2Bmodule%2Bnegative%26um %3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26biw%3D1255%26bih%3D8 63%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=pAm_TLr4BYmDswbA5bzADQ)

Thankyou so much for your efforts in this matter. You really seem to have hit the nail on the head with this one. I would have tried the resistor mod but I had a feeling it still wasn't going to solve the problem.

Now all I've got to do is source some materials and I'm back in business.

If anyone in the UK has details of where you can get the polorising filter sheets from then that would be super cool.

Again, thanks to everyone for pressing the issue and finally getting the result that should have been evident from the outset.

Soundgraphs response on the matter when they must know what the problem is says it all about this company. I would not knowingly buy any product they produce, or any product that contains one of their products ever again. Stageringly poor quality and service, truely terrible.

[luisolp]

Sure they must know what the problem is.
Now I'm waiting an official answer from Mr. DK Jung CEO of soungraph.

[DJ_POE]

No problem at all, gad it's helped you out sir. There are places in the uk that sell the polarizers but the thing is they only sell bulk loads of the stuff, yes i agree soundgraphs support is terrible at the best of times, being an electrical engineer though i should offer you some advice, no you dont need to solder in an led resistor because it will dim the display of the text aswell which is what you dont want.

The shop in hong kong where i got my polarizer film from was delivered to me within 7 days and its excellent quality too it does the job well, im in the UK too. To be honest using the yellow acetate sheet with the polarizer gives the best results, because you wont see the circuit pattern as it is jet black and the text is really bright in contrast. You can use 2 strips of acetate if you require further contrast. The acetate sheets are 55 pence each and are A4 sized, the polarizers are about £4 for an 8" sheet.

[DJ_POE]

I Decided to go with orange, looks really good everyone has blue lcds thought it would be different and im not dissapointed.

http://www.soundgraph.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=385&stc=1&d=1287869337

[mediocaballero]

Looks nice. Could you provide here or via PM the url of where you bought the sheets, please?
Thanks for all the info!

[DJ_POE]

Polarizers here (http://www.3dlens.com/shop/8-inch-lcd-polarizer.php):

Acetate here (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/A4-Coloured-Acetate-Red-5-Sheets-/230540296181?pt=UK_Crafts_Children_s_Crafts_EH&hash=item35ad45bff5);

]To make orange you use two layers of red acetate either behind or in front of the lcd

[mediocaballero]

Polarizers here (http://www.3dlens.com/shop/8-inch-lcd-polarizer.php):

Acetate here (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/A4-Coloured-Acetate-Red-5-Sheets-/230540296181?pt=UK_Crafts_Children_s_Crafts_EH&hash=item35ad45bff5);

]To make orange you use two layers of red acetate either behind or in front of the lcd

Thanks for the info... one more question, if you don't mind.

Yesterday I took out the LCD module to try to install first one of the filters that Soundgraph provided. It made a slight improvement in reducing ambient light, by the way, but contrast is still very poor.

I tried to look for the polarizer film that you said to peel, but I couldn't find it. Is it directly over the glass in the lcd module? Or do I have to remove the glass first and it's under it?

[DJ_POE]

Yes m8 its directly stuck down on the front of the lcd glass, start peeling from any corner, put a sharp blade under it will easily lift up and peel off, just do it slow take your time it will be ok

[DJ_POE]

This is what it looks like now, a big improvement i think, im putting dim red and green leds behind the mic and ear sockets too

http://www.soundgraph.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=387&stc=1&d=1288566233

The amplifier is a TEAC AG-10D

[zaneiken]

I placed an order for the Soundgraph filters earlier this week when it was listed as "in stock". Now I am told they are out of stock and are discontinued.
I'm quite annoyed about that since I've already ordered the polarizers that DJ_POE linked to.

So now I am stuck with Antec's crappy version of the LCD.

[DJ_POE]

The filters do nothing mate that's why theyve been discontinued, just use some acetate and polarizer film as i described.

[robains]

I've read about 90% of this thread, may have missed a few items. I just recenlty purchased the Antec Fusion Remote (1/3/2011) from NewEgg (under recommendation from a well known site that neglected to mention anything about the display brightness problem). And guess what, I too have the brightness problem. Clearly Antec aren't taking this problem serious (I've contacted them to no avail) as they are not fixing their inventory ... and given that this thread was started almost 2 years ago it boggles my mind a new unit ships unchanged with the problem.

Unfortunately SoundGraph CEO DK. Jung has made two VERY flawed decisions ... but it's hard to get rid of CEO's unless there is a board of directors ready to vote the CEO out assuming they have majority share (which may not be the case).

Anyway the THREE very bad assumptions/statements/decisions:

1. Dk. Jung - "As you might know, we need to make it as bright as possible for the livingroom usage."
2. Giving his "customers/vendors" (aka Antec) the option for a less expensive but poor quality LCD or a more expensive but better looking LCD ... geee, big surprise, the Vendors took the cheaper poor quality one!
3. Your product is not insulated ... aka you have a web presence. I hope a CEO understands what I mean by this.

SoundGraph have achieved the goal that I never purchase anything from them or their affiliates in the future ... this includes Antec. Maybe the Asian/Euro market is more forgiving, but the US market is not.

Dk. Jung, do your company a favor and resign or remove yourself from active decision process.

[DJ_POE]

Well the lcd brightness is not the problem here, its the poor contrast that people are complaining about and rightly so too, this is caused by incorrect alignment of the polarizing film on the front of the lcd glass, the only way to remedy the problem is take off the film and put your own on.

BUT you should NOT have to do this especially when you pay so much for a product, while no-one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes, soundgraph should of had the common decency to explain to all their customers their screens have this fault or at least ship some replacement polarizing film out to customers with clear instructions on how to change it as i described in earlier posts on this thread.

[warpoc]

I just singed up to this forum so i could see DJ_POE's pics, looks like you've found the answer m8 and I'm truely thankful to you for it.
~~I've been trawling the internet looking for fixes that would only be half measures, cybrdisplay.dll plugins, or gel lighting filters etc would have all been a pointless waste of time when the fact the display was compromised from the get go with $1 bit of badly fitted peice of polarizing film.

Soundgraph you should be ashamed, you would have known about this almost immediately unless you have no quality control and then your "bean-counters" would have worked out how much sorting the problem out would have cost your company and realised it was best to stay quiet. I hope the "counters" got it wrong, because I'm planning to tarnish your reputation at every opportunity- I won't be using any of your products for any of my retail sales (I make bespoke PC's) and if any customer or colleges asks why I'll tell them, I'll also be emailing and posting fellow modders in other forums about this and your lack of service or care, your silence is deafening.
Very disappointing, a little bit of honesty from the company would have saved me a lot of time and them potentially a lot of customers, shame on you.

Thanks again Mr. Poe, and others for keeping this active so Google found this post.
BTW Gel lighting would no doubt work for colour changing as well as acetate sheets.
This will probably be my only post here, I must go now, the place stinks

[Shamalam]

Soundgraph you should be ashamed, you would have known about this almost immediately unless you have no quality control and then your "bean-counters" would have worked out how much sorting the problem out would have cost your company and realised it was best to stay quiet. I hope the "counters" got it wrong, because I'm planning to tarnish your reputation at every opportunity- I won't be using any of your products for any of my retail sales (I make bespoke PC's) and if any customer or colleges asks why I'll tell them, I'll also be emailing and posting fellow modders in other forums about this and your lack of service or care, your silence is deafening.
Very disappointing, a little bit of honesty from the company would have saved me a lot of time and them potentially a lot of customers, shame on you.

Couldn't agree more. I also will never use Soundgraph products in the future. Their products are inherantly faulty and standards of support are none existant.

[Mistro]

Couldn't agree more. I also will never use Soundgraph products in the future. Their products are inherantly faulty and standards of support are none existant.

I too joined up just to see the pictures. I will never be using Soundgraph's products ever again and will be advising everyone I know not to as well.

DJ_POE, thank you very much for this. I've been annoyed by this for two years up to the point where I've rewired my case so the remote input works but the LCD remains off. Now I can finally have a nice looking LCD screen on my HTPC.

[DJ_POE]

No worries if you experiment a little with different acetate colours youl get the screen looking ok, glad this has helped you all out.

[mortmaru]

It looks like DJ POE has solved the problem it would be good if some one could do a nice basic guide with a bunch of links to the products to buy I know there was some links posted but fair few are now dead.

[Jocker_Boy]

DJ_POE, i'm from Portugal and i also want to change my LCD.

For what model do you recomend to exchange?
And what about the IR Receiver? There is no problem? Isn't the Ir Receiver joined to the LCD in Antec?

Do you have already replace your LCD? If not can you post some pictures how to do it?

I'm not a expertie in this matter and neither in hardware.

Thanks and sorry for my english.

[rhysee]

I would also like to know .. but doubt we can get any feedback ..

[Jocker_Boy]

Thanks for the explanation.

I have another problem.
I have now a MCE remote, and in Imon i have choose MCE remote, but severall keys of the remote are already lock in "remote of explore", for example the key "back".

Is there anyway to unlock this keys? I wabt to re-program all the keys at my choice.

[gokul.s]

Dear Jocker_Boy,

Please check following URL to FAQ for detailed explanation for remote key mapping
Which buttons on remote can be mapped in iMON Manager Software? (www.soundgraph.com/forums/faq.php?faq=sg_faq_sw_imon_manager_r_01#faq_faq_im on_manager_remote)

regards

Gokul

[Jocker_Boy]

Isen't there any solution tom Map that keys that are initial block from IMON?

[gokul.s]

Dear

Though there is no solution for changing key mapping in iMON itself for your requirement, there are several other ways to achive your goal.

Please find URL below for one such solution.
http://forum.xbmc.org/archive/index.php/t-61571.html

regards

Gokul

[Jocker_Boy]

Thanks

I have another problem that i post in another thread:

"Hello,

My case is the "Antec Fusion Remote Black" and initial i work with the imon Pad that was in the box, and i could turn on and off my case.

Now i switch to MCE Remote, and i can turn on and off also. But when i unplug the power cable from my case, (becasue i only use my htpc in the weekends and so, during the week all my equipment are off) the first time i can't turn on with the MCE remote, it only works with the Imon Pad, and then when i'm in Windows the MCE remote works perfect and i can turn on and off.

Why is that?"

Can you help me?