post-LED backlight mod image quality degradation

[DreamsOntheGo]

long time reader and admirer, virginal poster on the road to making dreams on the go!

As a general question, what was the extent of image quality degradation in your backlighting comparing cathode tubes vs. LEDs? As a specific problem, my screen suffers from a lack of contrast and white vertical, streaky burn-out marks, diminishing the image quality beyond playability.

When powered (without the PSone turned on), the lcd displays vertical "streaks" of white "bleeding" from the edges (where the 'U' tube had been placed). When both are powered on, the PS logo lacks distinct contrast between black and white. The black looks washed out gray and the white areas are dull.

I was aware of the loss in brightness from reading the forums but my concern is in the virtual lack of contrast. (e.g. when playing GT2, the road and the sky is the same color, also i can't read the GT2 menu)

So what's the root of the problem here: 1. bad screen (burned in)? 2. bad connections? 3. LEDs too bright?(~10,000mcd)
Could it have anything to do with the placement order of the two plastic sheets? (i wasn't paying attention) Or is this the limit of the mod?

I apologize for the lengthy description (i don't have a serviceable digital camera), but i was hoping someone ran into a similar problem after completing the mod. I'm going to lick my finger and touch the board (ala ben) and see if it does anything to better the contrast.

[Gamelver]

if the leds really are 10000mcd, then that may be it....of course, the lcd might be damaged...try using some, er, less brighter-er leds or some form of backlight to check if the lcd is working...first make sure the ribbon cable is in right, though .

[DreamsOntheGo]

thanks gamelver, your diagnosis was correct. the imperfections on my lcd only became apparent with the LED mod producing an inordinately bright backlighting.

without the LEDs and using my desklamp as a backlight, the image quality is really sharp with high contrast. however, i did discover that the streaks are part of the lcd (mirror part.. burn in perhaps?) but it doesn't effect the image quality when backlit using the tube lighting or an external source (desklamp).

this has left me whether the led mod was worth the trouble. any suggestions on how to retain the mod yet have the image worth viewing?

[Gamelver]

er, well I guess you could use dimmer LEDs ...I'd say 5000-7000mcd is good enough, and with a piece of aluminum foil behind the plastic diffuser it works great, IMHO