Intel 4000 HD: weird auto bright/contrast in battery mode

[idata]

My laptop is a newish Dell Inspiron 14z with Intel 4000 HD. Happy enough with the display when the laptop is plugged in, but when running on battery, some sort of weird auto-brightness/auto contrast kicks in and adjusts the display based NOT on ambient lighting, but rather what is actually showing on the laptop display. Bright objects make the display get brighter, darker objects make the screen darker.

This feature (?) annoys me, but I can't figure out how to turn it off. I've tried the Intel control panel in advance mode, and turned OFF the power conserving measures when on battery, but this doesn't help. I've also tried going to Control Panel > Power > Advanced Settings > Display and turned off anything likely looking there; no joy.

As a last gasp, I tried switching from the Intel driver to the standard Microsoft driver. This corrects the problem I described, but now the brightness is set to FULL and there's no way I can find to adjust it. It's TOO bright, so I've gone back to the Intel driver.

I see from other forums that I'm not the only one with this issue. Surely there must be some subtle setting I'm missing. Failing that, maybe there's a SIMPLE (even non-accelerated) Intel driver out there? One that doesn't try to be so extra-helpful?

If it makes a difference, the 14z is running Win 8, but a friend with the same computer running Win 7 is having the same troubles.

TL;DR: Gha! Intel! Jeesh!

[DArce]

Hello,

This is actually not part of the features of the Intel® HD Graphics drivers, and might be actually like a feature from that Dell* monitor that is being used.

You might try the instructions posted on the URL below, which seems to be similar to what you are seeing

http://www.ehow.com/how_7477902_dell-monitor-keeps-auto-adjusting.html http://www.ehow.com/how_7477902_dell-monitor-keeps-auto-adjusting.html

[idata]

Thank you very much for that; I will explore options from Dell now. (It's a laptop monitor, so unfortunately the ehow reference does not apply.)

[idata]

I'm having the very same problem with the very same laptop - did you manage to resolve it, or should I return the laptop?

[DArce]

Hello Zach,

I suggest that you check with DELL directly for further troubleshooting on this matter as this seems to be a feature of the laptop.

For their contact information, you can refer to:

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/contact_us?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&DoNotRedirect=y http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/contact_us?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&DoNotRedirect=y

[idata]

The problem is a default setting in the Intel driver

Go to the Intel Graphics and Media Control panel when you right click and select Graphics Properties from the desktop.

Select ADVANCED MODEgoto MEDIA > IMAGE ENHANCEMENT and disable "Adaptive Contrast Enhancement"

Then GOTO > POWER > Change POWER SOURCE to "On Battery" and make sure "Display Power Saving Technology" is disabled (that is unchecked).

Click APPLY and voila no more dynamic contrast problems!