Hi,
I just bought a Dell U2713H monitor and the accompanying XRite i1 Display Pro calibration device. The image quality is good, whether I use the canned Adobe RGB setting or calibrate with the device using the Dell calibration software that comes with the monitor.
The problem is that, no matter how I set up the monitor image, there is a distinct loss of detail in the dark areas of photographs. When I created a black-white step gradient in Photoshop, I could not tell the difference between the pure black (0-0-0) and very dark. Only when the RGB values got above 20-20-20 could I find the edges between values. I hate to be one of those it-must-be-a-defective product people, but I'm really starting to wonder if there isn't a problem with the hardware. I have calibrated the monitor with the Dell software, the generic XRite software that came with the calibrator, and even with and old Monaco XR calibrator. They all produce fairly similar general color characteristics and they all show blocked up shadows.
Advice appreciated! Thanks
Windows 7 Professional (64), 16 GB ram
AMD HD 7700 video card
DVI connection