Test methodology
This page explains how to make the visual checks repeatable and why a browser test should not be presented as a laboratory measurement.
Use consistent conditions
- Set the panel to its native resolution and choose the expected refresh rate in the operating system.
- Reset browser zoom to 100% and note any HDR, night-light, dynamic contrast or automatic-brightness setting.
- Let the monitor warm up for 20–30 minutes and use the brightness you normally use.
- Judge the screen first from your normal viewing distance, then inspect a suspected area more closely.
- Repeat an unusual result in another browser or application before deciding that it comes from the panel.
Scope of each tool
| Tool | Useful for | Not a substitute for |
|---|---|---|
| Solid colors / pixel check | Making a location-fixed pixel defect easier to see | A manufacturer's warranty decision or pixel-class assessment |
| Gamma, black and white levels | Spotting obvious clipping and comparing approximate tone balance | A calibrated gamma curve, luminance or color-error measurement |
| Ghosting / motion | Comparing visible trails and overshoot between monitor settings | GtG or MPRT figures measured with a photodiode or high-speed camera |
| Refresh-rate indicator | Estimating animation-frame timing reported to the browser | A direct measurement of panel electronics; background throttling can affect it |
| Click-response demo | Showing the interaction flow between a click and a visible change | Total system input-lag measurement in milliseconds |
Color management and signal path
An ICC profile, browser color management, full or limited RGB output, HDR mode and the monitor's picture preset can all change what appears on screen. The same RGB code therefore does not guarantee the same physical brightness or color on two devices. Color-critical work requires a suitable colorimeter and color-managed workflow.
Photographs and video
A phone can exaggerate backlight glow with automatic exposure or create motion artifacts through frame rate, sharpening and HDR processing. If you document a fault, set exposure close to what you see, avoid night mode, record room lighting and monitor settings, and treat the image as supporting evidence rather than an absolute measurement.
Safety
The stuck-pixel stimulation tool contains rapid, high-contrast color changes. Do not use it if you or someone nearby has photosensitive epilepsy or a history of light-triggered seizures. Stop immediately if you feel discomfort.
Reference material
- W3C animation timing — explains how a user agent schedules animation-frame callbacks and may throttle them when a page is not visible.
- Epilepsy Foundation: photosensitivity and seizures — explains that flash frequency, brightness, contrast and visual patterns can be triggers for some people.
Change log
July 28, 2026: consolidated each core test with its interpretation guide and added repeatable result tables.
July 17, 2026: clarified browser timing, camera effects, click-response limits and the distinction between visual checks and instrument measurements.
Why monitor test results change: a controlled comparison guide
Browser, game and camera results disagree? Compare one setting at a time with practical refresh-rate, motion-trail and black-screen examples.