16:9 resolution on a 4:3 screen?

[pyrokk]

I've been looking at getting a good LCD monitor from a local retailer. There is a small scratch in the lower right side of the screen though, but is low enough where it doesn't show up while playing a 16:9 DVD. What i'm trying to figure out, is there a way where I could run this 4:3 LCD monitor in a 16:9 resolution (letterbox) in both Windows and video games so that this scratch would not be on the used area of the screen?

 

[JZilla]

I don't get it.

A LCD gets a little blurry if run outside the native resolution, so that is not advisable. Besides you would get a small screen estate.

I would pass if I were you.

 

[DOOPYLOOPY]

If it has a scratch get him to get you a new one.

I wouldnt buy a pre-scratched monitor.

 

[pyrokk]

well, the entire point is to get is dirt cheep.

As well, I don't mean using the ENTIRE visible screen in a 16:9 aspect ratio, what I mean, is just simple making it so the monitor doesn't use the tops and bottoms of the screen like the way a letterbox movie doesn't use it.

 

[Spicedaddy]

Might work if you force your video card to use a 16x9 resolution. (Rage3D Tweak can do this for ATI cards I think, maybe Powerstrip?)


For example, the LCD has a resolution of 1280x1024, so you use 1280x720. Most video cards should have an option to "stretch the resolution to the entire screen", you just have to keep this option Off, and it should display the 1280x720 image in the middle of the screen without stretching it.

 

[Keysplayr]

If you have an ATI card, try changing your resolution to 848 x 480. See what you get. Plasma displays use this resolution. It is considered 16:9.
Keys

 

[Tseng]

I don't know if this LCD has DVI input. If so, there maybe hope to achieve what you want.

Let me tell you my experience. A few days ago, I got a 20" LCD. Its native resolution is 1600x1200. I don't have a DVI cable back then so I had to use the D-sub connector. While using D-sub connector, LCD itself will expand the image to the largest possible resolution.

A few days later I got the DVI cable. The LCD monitor gives me different options. Now it can output original size to the screen w/o expanding. So, if I choose 1024x768. I will have a wide black broader around the screen. I guess this is what you need.

Assume this is a 17", 18" 19" LCD, it will have 1280x1024 native resolution most likely. Then you can choose 1280x960 maybe even 1280x768 to avoid the scratch area.

Hope this will help.

 

[Need4Speed]

Originally posted by: pyrokk
well, the entire point is to get is dirt cheep.

As well, I don't mean using the ENTIRE visible screen in a 16:9 aspect ratio, what I mean, is just simple making it so the monitor doesn't use the tops and bottoms of the screen like the way a letterbox movie doesn't use it.

you get what you pay for.

as far as i know there is now way of letter-boxing windows

 

[Spicedaddy]

I tried it on my laptop and it works fine... I added the 1024x600 resolution (screen is 1024x768), turned off the stretch to full screen feature, and it displays a letterbox image for everything.

 

[Need4Speed]

very cool....

 

[pyrokk]

I see, that sounds a good solution, however is there any way to disable streching on a GeForce 4?

 

[Tseng]

The streching is on/off is a function of the LCD. It has nothing to do with the video card.