Question

Does a widescreen LCD monitor stretch images horizontally?

Asked by: WebFuse

I am a web designer in the UK, planning to get a 24 inch widescreen LCD monitor for use with my G4 Mac laptop. I am planning probably on a 16:10 aspect ratio.

My question: Will a widescreen monitor distort shapes by stretching them horizontally?

Years ago at the company I worked for, I had a giant Sony 24 Inch CRT. The problem with it was that it *stretched* images on screen horizontally. Squares would look like rectangles. I just had to put up with it and adjust my designs accordingly. They would always look too narrow on other monitors.

Perhaps I was using the wrong resolution? Is there a special "widescreen" resolution that does not stretch images horizontally and displays them in the correct proportions?

Thanks in advance.

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Answers

 

by: Philip_SparkPosted on 2009-09-08 at 08:48:22ID: 25283124

It shouldn't do

I have a macbook pro, below is my display prefs.

There are choices for stretched display. All the rest don't distort,

I presume that an external monitor would have the same options if the correct drivers are in place.

I think your thoughts on having had the wrong resolution set may have been the problem.

 

by: Philip_SparkPosted on 2009-09-08 at 08:49:32ID: 25283142

sorry here's the screenshot

 

by: WebFusePosted on 2009-09-08 at 09:11:31ID: 25283356

Thanks Philip,

I am assuming you are not plugged into an external widescreen monitor? Does your Macbook Pro screen qualify as a "widescreen" display?

Can you confirm these options would show (with non-stretched resolutions available) if my Mac G4 was plugged into a 24 inch *external* monitor?

Mike

 

by: Philip_SparkPosted on 2009-09-08 at 10:51:15ID: 25284358

Apple sells it as a widescreen display.

Which monitor do you have in mind?

Will the specs of your choice describe the possible options?

Are you buying online or from a store?

If you are buying from a store, I'm sure they'd be open to letting you connect your laptop to test. Rather than lose a potential sale.

That's all I can add, unless someone with actual experience answers your query.

 

by: ekincamPosted on 2009-09-08 at 11:07:28ID: 25284505

If you adjust your computer to display the native resolution of the display the images on the screen will not distort.  The resolution of a 24" 16:10 screen will generally be 1920x1200, but depending on the screen it can be different.  The specifications of the monitor will indicate the native resolution of the display.

On a Windows machine, I am given the option to change the resolution of the screen only up to the native resolution usually.  I can adjust the resolution smaller than the native resolution, but never larger.  Monitors are generally able to communicate their parameters when they are plugged into the computer automatically.

Before you buy the monitor, you should verify that your video controller will support 1920x1200 or whatever is the native resolution of the screen.  Just to give you and idea, all the PCs that I've come across recently that as old as 2003 or 2004 with onboard Intel graphics will support 1920x1200.  I do not work with Macintosh at all, but I think their capability should be similar.

 

by: WebFusePosted on 2009-09-09 at 12:24:14ID: 31626786

Philip and Ekincam,

Thanks very much for your solutions and general advice. I have split points between you.

Best regards,
Mike

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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