New Dell 4K Monitor Fuzzy Text (S3221QS)

bono on 28/10/2020 - 10:24
Last edited 02/11/2020 - 23:21 by 1 other user

UPDATE

In the monitor menu I have found a sharpness setting that dramatically improved the fuzziness of the text. I haven't tested the lack of detail in images but that's not really a problem I just need sharp text, and it's pretty good now. 8/10 to what I hoped for at least!

I will also test the suggestion to connect by DisplayPort instead to ensure there's enough bandwidth to avoid any Chroma Subsampling which also seems to match the kind of issues I'm seeing. I don't have a DP cable here so I will order one and that might take a week or so!

Thanks all you awesome OzBargainers - I love this community for our knowledge, community, and commitment to getting a bargain!!!

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Update 2

Looking really closely at it for longer I think that the grey in letters is not uniform, with different colours in different parts of the text which I mistook for blur, which makes me really consider the Chroma Subsampling more. Just ordered a DP 1.4 cable by express post shipped from my city, so will update in a few days if that resolves it!

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Update 3

I got the DP 1.4 cable .. I think it might have improved it a little bit but it's still just not crisp. I had to turn the sharpness setting back because it caused terrible bloom around text which while it was crisp just looked terrible. Ughh Dell :(

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I have just purchased a Dell 32 Curved 4K UHD Monitor - S3221QS

But the text is noticeably fuzzy, and I'm wondering if this is just a problem of the monitor, or maybe some weird setting? It's bad enough that this is going to cause issues as I work on this monitor all day long programming and the extra squinting/concentration will affect me.

In theory this should have higher DPI than other various monitors I have, but when I compare images on this side by side with the other monitors the text as well as graphics on this DELL S3221QS is just not crisp and requires effort to view the text unless I make it huger than I'm used to and even then it's still fuzzy.

The se790c is 3440x1440 in 34 inches while this dell is 3840x2080 in 32 inches so the dell should have much higher dpi but in reality the dell just looks fuzzy and loses detail compared to the se790c and also my old korean s-ips monitor it's replacing which was 30 inch 2560x1600 so should also have lower dpi but was really much much crisper. The se790 is VA as well as the dell so it's not just the display technologies. Should display technology even affect the sharpness of the image?

I have also been comparing Youtube 4k content (in 4k mode) side by side between this monitor and my widescreen which is a samsung se790c (also VA) and this new Dell loses detail from the images, small things that are features on the se790c are just solid colour on the Dell, though this was improved but not fixed by setting a brighter colour profile, though this will hurt my eyes when I have to look at it all day.

Can anyone suggest how to troubleshoot the clarity and sharpness of this monitor? It's a work monitor so I need crispness and am wondering if I have to send it back!

Computing 31.5inch Computer Peripheral Dell LCD Monitor

Comments

  • toomuchdogfur on 28/10/2020 - 10:50
    +2

    What connection type are you using? (DisplayPort 1.X, HDMI 2.X or 1.X, etc)

    Connected to what device? Specifically what GPU is it using?

    Note this monitor has been reviewed as having "exceptional text clarity", so the problem likely lies with the connection, device or monitor settings rather than the monitor itself.

    • bono on 28/10/2020 - 11:15

      It's connected with the HDMI cable that came with it, straight to HDMI port on my 1080ti. Nvidia control panel has it at 60Hz refresh rating. Is there any way I can test the connection to check?

      • toomuchdogfur on 28/10/2020 - 11:38

        Have you got a DisplayPort cable lying around? Try using that connector if so, quick and easy troubleshoot.

        The 1080 Ti is a powerful card, but HDMI ports can be fiddly - if your HDMI ports are v1.4 or older (or even 2.0 or older in certain conditions) then they may not have enough bandwidth to run full 4k@60Hz.

        DisplayPort however has had enough bandwidth to run full 4k@60Hz since v1.2, released in 2010, so its usually a safe bet.

        Note if you don't have enough bandwidth as described above, you may experience Chroma Subsampling - check out the text examples in that link and see if that's similar to your issue.

        • bono on 28/10/2020 - 11:44

          Thanks for the tip that's awesome and it might be the issue. I have found a way to improve it using the monitor menu to increase a 'sharpness' setting but I will also get a DisplayPort cable to test if that improves it more!

  • Master Bates on 28/10/2020 - 10:54

    I think that's one of the key the differences between a Consumer monitor vs. an Ultra-sharp from Dell's line up.

    Whilst you have an S model not a P, the second article possibly explains the text clarity issue.

    Sources:

    • bono on 28/10/2020 - 11:38

      Thanks, I'm wondering if that's the issue that it's not their 'ultra-sharp' and this is just Dell's level of quality for the price, but I'd be hugely disappointed if so.

      This is a thousand dollar monitor before dell discounts and still an expensive monitor even with the best discounts in Oz, and the text is noticeably worse than most of my other monitors.

      • Master Bates on 28/10/2020 - 11:52
        +1

        I'd be hugely disappointed if so

        I agree, clear text is fundamental on a monitor that will be used for any form of productivity.

  • MS Paint on 28/10/2020 - 11:11

    Does the display have a matt / anti reflective finish?

    Is it slightly rough to touch?

    Are you using Windows 10? Are you set at 100% in the scale and layout?

    • bono on 28/10/2020 - 11:20

      I'm using windows 10 at 125% scale for this monitor. I also setup cleartype which I don't usually use to try and improve it which has helped a tiny bit but it's still too fuzzy. I will test again with 100% scaling which I did try, but that makes menu elements on programs I use too small which is why I went to 125%.

      The screen is not particularly glossy, it's not what I would call rough to touch but it's not as smooth as another monitor I have which is a glass touch screen.

      • MS Paint on 28/10/2020 - 11:35

        At 4k screen items will generally be smaller. It just goes with the territory. Try 100% scale and see how you go.

        • bono on 28/10/2020 - 11:57

          It's unusable small at 100% scaling unfortunately! I did try and don't find the text clearer but it was also affected by the text getting so small and thin that made it somewhat difficult to focus on also. Thanks for the suggestion.

  • rocketpoweredmice on 28/10/2020 - 11:14

    Check display settings and confirm resolution selected matches the native resolution of the monitor.
    most likely your computer is outputting the wrong resolution to the screen. this may be by accident, or because your computer is unable to output that resolution to the screen (because of drivers,GPU or connection limitations)
    if in doubt, post a screenshot of your display settings here

    • rocketpoweredmice on 28/10/2020 - 11:16

      another easy way to confirm would be to check the OSD (on screen display) menus on the Dell Monitor, which will tell you the resolution it is currently running at (and that your PC is outputting)

      • bono on 28/10/2020 - 11:42
        +1

        Thanks for the idea - I have found a sharpness setting in the OSD which has helped, then combined with turning cleartype off the display now looks reasonably sharp!

        • bazingaa on 28/10/2020 - 11:51

          You can also use "Dell Display Manager" to control settings from Windows. It will communicate with the monitor and change settings.

    • bono on 28/10/2020 - 11:17

      Yes the resolution in display settings, as well as the nvidia control panel, is '4k x 2k, 3840 x 2160 (native)'.

      Nvidia control panel also detects the monitor as DELL S3221QS.

  • thatonethere on 28/10/2020 - 11:46

    One thing to look at adjusting (if on Windows) is ClearType

    Just search for ClearType in settings and follow the wizard for tuning the fonts.

  • bazingaa on 28/10/2020 - 11:50

    Can you try any supported resolution with 75Hz refresh rate?

  • bono on 28/10/2020 - 11:57

    I'm not getting any options above 60Hz in Nvidia Control Panel. Any suggestions how to get the 75Hz option? Maybe this monitor doesn't support it?

  • forged on 28/10/2020 - 13:11

    125% scaling on a 4K monitor is pretty small - 150% is equivalent space to 1440p at 100%. I’d definitely use 150% on 4K 32” for the best text clarity.

    This might also be a Windows/software problem; is all text fuzzy or is it just certain programs? If you have more than one display, make sure you’re not mirroring a lower-res display to the 4K display. You can switch multi display modes by pressing Win-P.

    • bono on 28/10/2020 - 13:34

      Thanks for the suggestion. I tried at 150% it was still fuzzy, though of course easier to read because everything is bigger but takes up more screen space.

      However I actually use the screen realestate for my work so 150% is losing too much workspace, that's why I run three monitors side by side with different scaling settings and no mirroring! My other monitors are fine at that level of physical text size.

      • forged on 28/10/2020 - 13:38

        Hm, okay. Any chance you could post photos of what the fuzziness looks like? I picked up a Dell 27” 4K panel recently and I think there is a very slight “fuzziness” caused by the anti reflective coating, but it still looks much sharper than the 27” 1440p panel next to it.

  • bono on 28/10/2020 - 13:40

    There's not easy image upload here is there? I will have to setup some sharing site and link to that right? Maybe I can do it one evening just flat out with work right now!

  • Orion89 on 28/10/2020 - 18:25
    +1

    Search in Windows bar and type "CTTUNE" and calibrate it. It will magic.

    • bono on 28/10/2020 - 23:26
      +1

      Thanks though I've tried that already.

      That runs the Cleartype configuration - I've already tried with that on, then off again after increasing the OSD clarity setting, then back on. It helps a bit, but not much.

      I'm beginning to think a lot of the problem is with kind of colour blur around the text. Ordered Displayport cable express post to see if it's from Chroma Subsampling!

  • ShannonN on 28/10/2020 - 20:10

    Have you looked at what icc profile the video is using, I have a 27 in asus screen that was not the clearest, found it was using a generic icc profile (colours) and when I dl'd the correct "driver" from asus it made a huge difference, should note that win 10 picked up the correct monitor but didn't install the correct profile by default.

  • quill on 29/10/2020 - 13:41

    I think it could be hdmi vs displayport. The colours seemed washed out compared to my u2717d and it wasn't until I swapped with displayport that it look very close to my other monitor. For reference I have a s2721d

    • bono on 29/10/2020 - 13:47

      Thank you! That's along the lines of the Chroma SubSampling possible issue that toomuchdogfur suggested, and what I'm leaning toward as being the problem now.

      I have already ordered the displayport cable by express post yesterday, will be able to test in a couple of days!

      • quill on 29/10/2020 - 14:05

        Kinda disappointing as I was hoping to use it for ps5/xbox series x but I can deal with the wash out aspect and for $290 for a new 4k 3 year warranty monitor I can deal with a lot.

        • bono on 29/10/2020 - 14:14

          Well mine was about double the price, I really want it to perform properly!

  • KLoNe on 02/11/2020 - 20:26

    It's not a good monitor. Mine turned up last week and it's pretty disappointing for a $899 monitor (before discounts).

    • bono on 02/11/2020 - 23:20
      +1

      Yeah I agree .. I am on the fence about returning it .. I got the DP cable, but it's still not crisp at all .. pretty crap

      • bono on 02/11/2020 - 23:25
        +1

        I think it's pretty disappointing for a $550 monitor!

  • KLoNe on 07/11/2020 - 09:58

    Escalated it with Dell and returning for free.

    My options are the 27" 4k IPS or the 32" 4k IPS USB-C (for like 1.1k lol)

    • bono on 07/11/2020 - 10:57

      How are you returning it? Do they send a courier or? Are you paying the shipping? Is it an actual refund or a credit against another monitor?

      • KLoNe on 18/11/2020 - 17:40

        They sent a courier and full refund, no restocking fee (I had to bitch to them tho)

  • grang on 23/12/2020 - 15:48

    Is your problem related to the the YPbPr colour mode?
    I have this issue switching from a PC to a Mac

    https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/thread/3ly45l79 - MacAir M1| Washed out Dell 2nd monitor(YPbPr mode)

    • bono on 23/12/2020 - 21:19

      Anyone know how to check this on windows?

      I'm on windows 10 connected via displayport so I don't think that's the issue, but I did a search to learn about it and didn't find any references of this on windows 10.

  • grantster on 27/12/2021 - 10:45

    Did you eventuality get this solved? I was just about to get this monitor but I think I'll get the ips 4k 27 inch instead. What did you get in the end?

  • horsleyboy on 03/01/2022 - 20:50

    It needs to be left at 100%. Anything else is just pointless to buy the 4k monitor.

    Set it back to 100% and zoom in from the program. I had the same issue and i noticed using Microsoft Excel. It was at 150%. I set it to 100% and yes, the next time i loaded Excel it was very small, so then i just held control and used the mouse scroll wheel to zoom in until i was happy. The text stays sharp no matter how close you zoom. this is a universal command. You can use CTRL+ scroll or CTRL + +/- keys in web browser or email or anything really.

    • bono on 07/01/2022 - 00:37

      Don't you find aspects of the UI too small at 100%? Sure you can zoom content regions in, and as well as that keyboard shortcut you can hold Ctrl + use the mouse scrollwheel or touchpad scrolling too, however the menus and other things are rather tiny then!

      Nonetheless for other readers, putting it at 100% did NOT resolve the fuzziness on this monitor.

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