I'm using an AOC 24G4X and notice that pixels are fairly visible, especially on white or other light-colored backgrounds. The screen can look slightly hazy or grainy, almost like water was smeared across it or the display had been wiped with a wet cloth while turned on. In games, bright areas such as the sky also look mildly pixelated and grainy. When I slowly scroll a light-colored webpage with the middle mouse button, I can see pixel-like trails or moving artifacts.
The effect is less severe than in the comparison images, but it is still noticeable. Is this simply expected from a 24-inch 1920×1080 display and its matte coating, or could it indicate a problem with the monitor, settings, response time, or software? Would moving to a 2560×1440 monitor noticeably improve the image, or would I need a much higher resolution for the pixels to become nearly invisible?
3 Answers
This does not sound like color banding by itself. Banding usually appears as visible steps between shades in a smooth gradient, while a grainy surface-like look is more commonly related to the display’s matte coating, pixel density, or image processing. At 24 inches, 1080p is usable but not especially sharp, so some pixel visibility is expected.
Some visible pixel structure is normal at 24 inches and 1920×1080, and a matte anti-glare coating can add a slightly grainy or hazy appearance on light backgrounds. A 2560×1440 display will be sharper, but the improvement depends on its size: 1440p at 27 inches is only somewhat denser than 1080p at 24 inches. For pixels to be nearly invisible at that size, you would need a much higher pixel density, similar to what is marketed as a Retina-style display.
The moving trails are a separate issue. They may be caused by pixel response time, overdrive settings, refresh-rate behavior, or motion blur rather than resolution alone. Check the monitor’s refresh rate and response-time/overdrive modes, and compare different settings.
If the same effect appears in games and desktop applications, it is less likely to be caused by video encoding. Low-bitrate streaming can create blockiness or smearing in videos, but it would not normally affect a webpage or the monitor’s general appearance. For the scrolling trails, test different response-time modes and refresh rates, and make sure the display is actually running at its maximum refresh rate.
The monitor is an AOC 24G4X. The effect is milder than the example images, but it is most noticeable on pale backgrounds and during slow scrolling.