Re: 4:3 vs. 16:9 LCD's

You really should leave the resolution alone and instead change the DPI setting to make things larger. Even when you run at exactly half-resolution, there IS degradation of the image by changing the resolution.

Most of the computer "widescreen" monitors are not 16:9 (which is the HDTV aspect ratio), but rather something in between 4:3 and 16:9; in fact, the standard resolution for 17" and 19" "rectangular" displays is 1280x1024, which is 5:4, not 4:3.


Tracy wrote:
I'm looking to get a new system and need to decide on the LCD. I
currently have the 20 inch 2001FP from a few years ago. Because of my
vision problems, I run this at 800x600 (since it's half the native
resolution there is no deteriation). I've always used a 4:3 computer
display up to this point. (I don't like changing the fonts or dpi
settings because they just don't look right in smaller resolutions.)

I'm satisfied (but not thrilled) with the UltraSharp I have. The
bright white areas on-screen actually hurt my eyes after so much time
(brightness is even set really low I believe). So I'm considering a
2007FP 20 inch 4:3 (basically just an upgrade over what I have now) or
something like the 2007WFP. I may or may not be buying the monitor at
the same time as they system (depending on coupons), so I'm open to
other vendors as well. I've heard good things about Samsungs too. (If
I stayed with a 4:3, I'd like it to also look good at 1024x768 - the
2001FP doesn't - just incase I'm forced to move up on resolutions at
some point).

But here are a few questions about these two Dell monitors...

1. Will the widescreen run ok at 840x525? I guess I'd be gaining 40
pixels in width, but loosing 75 in height.

2. XP runs fine at 800x600 but will Vista run ok at 800x600 or 840x525
since it's designed for a higher-res? I guess some Windows may be
cropped if they max out a 600 high with a 525 high screen though.

3. With the widescreen monitor what will happen if I run an older game
that requires a certain resolution to run like 800x600 or 640x480?
Obviously a 4:3 LCD would just scale down as needed. But on the
widescreen monitor, will the image be stretched or will there just be
extra "black" where the extra pixels are located?

Thanks in advance for any help that you experts can provide. I want to
make the right decision as this is a big purchase.

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: The hidden flaw of widescreen monitors
    ... when I bought my widescreen monitor last year. ... scale the image if the resolution is set to something smaller than the ... The latter puts black bars all the way around the image; ... alternatively bought, say, a smaller 19" LCD anyways. ...
    (comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action)
  • Re: 4:3 vs. 16:9 LCDs
    ... resolution there is no deteriation). ... pixels in width, ... With the widescreen monitor what will happen if I run an older game ... extra "black" where the extra pixels are located? ...
    (alt.sys.pc-clone.dell)
  • Re: 4:3 vs. 16:9 LCDs
    ... But I choose the 20" wide screen based on the "height" of the panel. ... resolution there is no deteriation). ... pixels in width, ... With the widescreen monitor what will happen if I run an older game ...
    (alt.sys.pc-clone.dell)
  • 4:3 vs. 16:9 LCDs
    ... I'm looking to get a new system and need to decide on the LCD. ... resolution there is no deteriation). ... With the widescreen monitor what will happen if I run an older game ... extra "black" where the extra pixels are located? ...
    (alt.sys.pc-clone.dell)
  • Suse doesnt seem to like widescreen
    ... Hi - I have a new Dell 2007FPW widescreen monitor, with a native resolution ... mx' graphics, using 16 meg of ram, with a 1 gig of ram installed. ... graphics and I havent gotten to the point of installing a card to test it ...
    (alt.os.linux.suse)