resolution

slipchuck

Distinguished
Jan 22, 2002
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Hi my name is Randy and I am new to this forum.
I was wondering if anyone could tell me why when you up the resolution in monitors, example from 800x600 to 1024x768,(at least the ones I have tried) the viewable real estate gets smaller (instead of filling the whole screen there is black all around each edge.
Is there anyway when you use the controls to make the viewable area bigger to get the picture to look "true" again?
I am going to be getting either a 17" or 19" flat tube aperture grille monitor for photo editing and graphics.
obviously the length and the wide have to be the exact same percent as the 800x600 screen so there will be no distortion.
I presently have a notebook so I can't fool around with C.R.T controls and would like to know this before buying one.

thanks


slipchuck

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Welcome to the Forum!

When you increase your resolution, you are telling the monitor and graphics processor to display your desktop using smaller pixels, allowing more to fit on the screen. When using smaller pixels, the images and fonts appear smaller and in more detail because they are measured in pixels.

A pixel is a single dot on the display of your monitor.

"Is there anyway when you use the controls to make the viewable area bigger to get the picture to look "true" again?"

Yes.

First you'll choose the best refresh rate for the chosen resolution in Control Panel/Display Properties. That refresh rate will be determined by the specifications of the monitor, and the rates supported by the video card. And by what looks best to your eyes.

Then you can use the monitor controls to adjust the horizontal and vertical screen size so that the display is centered.

Note: If you have been using some kind of photograph for your desktop, and the picture is 800x600, then if you switch to a higher resolution, the picture will be displayed with black around the edges. This is because, while the desktop dimensions have changed in size ... the picture <i>hasn't</i>, and can no longer fill the screen from edge-to-edge.

Be sure that when you buy a monitor that you get one with easily configured controls and a decent manual!

Toejam31

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