-=PCTechTalk=- Re: 22" wide screen monitor
- From: GMan <gman.pctt@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:43:57 -0400
Hi Don,
In answer to all four of your questions, Widescreen modes are available
as part of a video card's driver set (including integrated graphics) and
they most likely won't actually say "Wide Screen" in the description. Some
of them are activated by installing the disk that comes with the monitor,
provided said disk exists (not all widescreen monitors include one). To
properly choose the resolution that best fits your new monitor, you'll need
to do a little math by converting resolution descriptions to the ratio
they're meant to serve. Be aware that some wide screen monitors are
designed for a 16:9 ratio (such as my own Samsung 266BW) where others are
16:10. Earlier this month, I put together a somewhat comprehensive post on
this exact subject for another group I'm on. I've pasted it below for your
convenience.
***************************
The simplest way to test for the ratio of any given resolution is to
compare it to the base ratios with a calculator. For example, a 4:3
resolution can be turned into a simple math problem by saying 4 divided by 3
equals ???. The answer is 1.333 (the 3's continue on forever as a repeating
decimal, but I cannot produce the line over them in plain text. lol) So,
if a 4:3 ratio comes to 1.333, it follows that any resolution that also
comes to that result is, in fact, a 4:3 resolution.
On the other hand, a 16:9 ratio comes to 1.777 (repeating) and a 16:10
ratio yields a 1.6. With these answers in hand, here are some possible
resolutions and their ratios. Note: I also added a couple from my 16:9
ratio monitor.
800x600 (800 divided by 600 =) 1.333 which is a standard 4:3 ratio
1024x768 = 1.333 which is 4:3
1152x864 = 1.333 which is 4:3
1280x720 = 1.777 which is 16:9 widescreen
1280x768 = 1.666 which is 16:10 widescreen
1200x800 = 1.5
1280x960 = 1.333 which is 4:3
1280x1024 = 1.25
1360x768 = 1.771 which is VERY close to a 16:9 widescreen
1360x1024 = 1.328 which is VERY close to a 4:3
1400x1050 = 1.333 which is 4:3
1440x900 = 1.6 which is 16:10 widescreen
1600x900 = 1.777 which is 16:9 widescreen
1600x1200 = 1.333 which is 4:3
1680x1050 = 1.6 which is 16:10 widescreen
The remaining 2 resolutions (1200 X 800 and 1280 X 1024) wouldn't look
proper on ANY computer desktop monitor and are there for other viewing
devices.
As you can see, you DO have widescreen resolutions available to you and
your new monitor (you also have many more resolution options than I have).
The closest one to what I'm using would be the highest one (1680 X 1050)
which shows that the guy on the phone really did understand your situation,
but I'm already pushing things as far as readability is concerned. Instead,
if you're not already running it, I would try out the 1440 X 900 and see how
that feels. Just keep in mind that it might look a little strange at first
since you are most likely used to whatever resolution is running right now
(1600x1200, a 4:3 ratio, was the last one you said you were using).
Hopefully, this will help clear up most of the confusion surrounding
ratios and resolutions. :O)
***************************
Peace,
G
http://tinyurl.com/ypbuue
"The only dumb questions are the ones we fail to ask!"
----- Original Message -----
From: "dsw32952" <dsw32952@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 9:33 AM
Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- 22" wide screen monitor
> I'll be installing a new 22" widescreen monitor later today. I will
> likely keep my old 17" square monitor as a second monitor (I am very sure
> my video card (Nvidia GeForce5200) will support it, if not I'll buy a new
> card).
> I know using a TV as a monitor was discussed in the list a while back and
> I will search to read that again but a couple of questions while I am
> doing that...
>
> 1. Does a display adapter have to specifically support a widescreen or
> just support a specific resolution to fit a widescreen.
>
> 2. I have never seen a straight forward 1600x900 resolution or even an
> 800x450 they are all strange numbers that looked like they were picked out
> of the litter box. Why? 1152X864??? Why not 1150x865 or 1200x875 or
> 1100x825?
>
> 3. Are widescreen monitors actually a 16:9 aspect ratio? I seem to
> remember somewhere that they were more like 16:10 or other minor
> variation?
>
> 4. I also plan to buy my Mom a widescreen monitor. Her computer has an
> integrated adapter card. If it does not support a widescreen resolution,
> I assume I will need to put in an expansion card. I'll be checking the
> Dell support pages on this (Dimension 2350) but any forthcoming tips would
> be appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Don
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