How NOVA Reduces Glare and Reflection

Viewport Contrast Enhancement

To reduce glare on your monitor, Nova's tinted viewport enhances the contrast between the screen and reflections from surrounding light. Light passes through the viewport and bounces off the surface of the screen. It then passes back through the viewport. Each time the light passes through the glass, 55 percent is absorbed. Light from the monitor passes through the viewport only once. The result gives you a two-to-one contrast enhancement ratio.

To check the effect of Nova's contrast enhancement, first view the monitor through the glass. Now remove the glass so that you can view the monitor directly. You'll see a dramatic difference.

CDAR Anti-Reflective Coating

To further reduce unwanted viewport surface reflections, Nova offers an optional CDAR coated viewport. This multi-layer, metallic oxide coating is applied to the glass at a 30-degree bias. It's most effective at your viewing angle.

In combination with the glass that already absorbs 55 percent of the light, the CDAR coating can reduce glare up to 99.7 percent. We must remember that our eyes are extremely sensitive to light. Some light sources are so bright that even a 99.7 percent reduction will still leave reflections.

Visor

Sometimes, it is impossible to get rid of the glare source in front of a monitor. For these cases, each Nova desk comes with a thermoformed visor which will eliminate the problem.

Monitor Placement

Do not place the desk close to and facing a bright, unshaded window. If you have a choice, set each monitor at a right angle to windows.

Do not place bright lights directly above the monitor or behind the user. If a light fixture reflects on the screen, remove bulb, if possible. Often, task lamps can be substituted for some of your overhead lighting.

Tackle Lighting Problems Early

Nova recommends that you consult a lighting professional in the early stages of designing a work space. Too often, lighting is an afterthought. If you address lighting early in the project, you can avoid problems.

"Solving the Problem of VDT Reflections" (Rea 1991) outlines solutions for lighting problems in computerized offices.