Custom DPI available?

[Steve]

I'd like to get my 24" monitor (1920x1200) running at 168 DPI (175%). This is in XP MCE 2005. Is there any software that will let me do this?

 

[Steve]

¿

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: Steve
I'd like to get my 24" monitor (1920x1200) running at 168 DPI (175%). This is in XP MCE 2005. Is there any software that will let me do this?

You may run any custom resolution allowable by your video subsystem drivers, however . . .

with an lcd you have a matrix of pixels that are fixed. Running outside of the native resolution of the panel may seriously reduce your computing enjoyment.

 

[BladeVenom]

You can't increase the resolution of your monitor. It's physically impossible; software can't change that. You can run at lower resolutions, but as someone has already stated it usually doesn't look as good.

 

[thejez]

Originally posted by: Steve
I'd like to get my 24" monitor (1920x1200) running at 168 DPI (175%). This is in XP MCE 2005. Is there any software that will let me do this?

Are you asking this because windows only offers 75-100-125-150-200? I mean changing the DPI in windows is a trivial thing to do... but i think you are asking this because you want 175 right?

 

[thejez]

Originally posted by: BladeVenom
You can't increase the resolution of your monitor. It's physically impossible; software can't change that. You can run at lower resolutions, but as someone has already stated it usually doesn't look as good.

im pretty sure your not understanding his question... or what DPI is...

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: BladeVenom
You can't increase the resolution of your monitor. It's physically impossible; software can't change that. You can run at lower resolutions, but as someone has already stated it usually doesn't look as good.

As a general rule that would be correct. But to my amazement my Westy W4207 720p HD monitor supports 1920 x 1080 with a native resolution of 1366x768. The internets have tossed this back and forth but I've yet to find a good explanation for it . . . .

Works fine for HDTV but pretty crappy for surfing - I've optimized the desktop for 1366x768.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: thejez

Originally posted by: BladeVenom
You can't increase the resolution of your monitor. It's physically impossible; software can't change that. You can run at lower resolutions, but as someone has already stated it usually doesn't look as good.

im pretty sure your not understanding his question... or what DPI is...

I use the **large** font size - not sure what the dpi is - at 1366x768. I know if you adjust all your custom desktop settings will revert to factory! 🙁

 

[thejez]

Originally posted by: heyheybooboo

Originally posted by: thejez

Originally posted by: BladeVenom
You can't increase the resolution of your monitor. It's physically impossible; software can't change that. You can run at lower resolutions, but as someone has already stated it usually doesn't look as good.

im pretty sure your not understanding his question... or what DPI is...

I use the **large** font size - not sure what the dpi is - at 1366x768. I know if you adjust all your custom desktop settings will revert to factory! 🙁

control panel->display->settings->advanced->general is where you can change your DPI. For an explanation of DPI you can visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dots_per_inch

For the OP to change the DPI to a custom setting not listed in the control panel you can tweak the registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\FontDPI

Just change the LogPixels setting to 0x000000A8 for 168 DPI

 

[Steve]

Thanks thejez, I will look at that when I get home. For everyone else, my question had absolutely nothing to do with resolution, I know all about LCD resolutions.

 

[BladeVenom]

Originally posted by: thejez

Originally posted by: BladeVenom
You can't increase the resolution of your monitor. It's physically impossible; software can't change that. You can run at lower resolutions, but as someone has already stated it usually doesn't look as good.

im pretty sure your not understanding his question... or what DPI is...

I know exactly what DPI is, it's dots per inch, or pixels per inch. Hence the misunderstanding since Windows uses poor terminology. Everyone I know just calls the Window's dpi settings, large fonts.

 

[Steve]

Originally posted by: BladeVenom

Originally posted by: thejez

Originally posted by: BladeVenom
You can't increase the resolution of your monitor. It's physically impossible; software can't change that. You can run at lower resolutions, but as someone has already stated it usually doesn't look as good.

im pretty sure your not understanding his question... or what DPI is...

I know exactly what DPI is, it's dots per inch, or pixels per inch. Hence the misunderstanding since Windows uses poor terminology. Everyone I know just calls the Window's dpi settings, large fonts.

Large Fonts is a whole separate other setting. If you used that term I would think of that setting.

On the basis of the terminology quoted here, howcome I can change my DPI and still be at 1920x1200? Can you clear up once and for all what resolution, DPI and the like are supposed to mean vs. how they are presented in Windows?

Here's my take on them:

Resolution: pixels wide by pixels hig. On my LCD, the panel has a grid 1920 across and 1200 high. Best to set Windows to that res on my system.

DPI: Dots per inch, default setting in Windows is 96, I can increase that and still be at 1920x1200 resolution somehow 😕

 

[Steve]

thejez, I changed that regkey and rebooted but it doesn't seem to have done anything 🙁

 

[thejez]

i dont have an XP machine and i got that key from my 2003 server box... do a scan of the reg and see if you can find "FontDPI" elsewhere...

 

[Steve]

Current_User\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics may be it. Got that from my regular XP Pro PC, but that should be the same as MCE '05.

Also, Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Control Panel\OriginalDPI - which on mine is set to 96, so probably not it

Also, Users\S-1-5-21-1275210071-790525478-839522115-1003\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics - I'll try this or the first after some dinner and TV.

 

[Steve]

Checking my PC right now, found the first key and changed it to a8 (168). The third key (in my above post) was located at:

Users\S-1-5-24-1060284298-484763869-725345543-1003\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics

And it was already set to a8 (168). Didn't bother with the second key above. Rebooting right now...

 

[Steve]

That seems do have done the trick. I edited the first key, rebooted, and it looked like nothing changed. I checked the settings and sure enough it was still at 200% (192 DPI). I re-edited the key (which had reverted to 192) and then in the settings I was able to manually type in 175. After rebooting, I switched Extra Large Fonts down to large fonts, and everything fell into place at a much more reasonable size. Thanks to thejez for putting me on track! 😎

For anyone who wants to try this, here is how to do it:

Open Registry Editor and navigate to Current_User\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics.
Modify AppliedDPI to a8 in hex, or 168 in decimal.
Open Display Properties->Settings->Advanced->General and in there click on Custom Setting...
In the dropdown menu with the % figure, type in 175. Click OK, then Apply and OK as needed.
You may need to reboot for the change to take effect.

 

[thejez]

glad you got it sorted out... and thanks for posting what the end solution was.

cheers.