LCD 5:4 vs 4:3 ratio

[Wolfshanze]

This has probably been discussed before, but I didn't have luck finding this topic, especially in regards to my particular delima.

I know folks are always seeming to argue over this aspect in a LCD monitor.

Most LCD monitors are maxed out at 1280x1024 (which is a 5:4 aspect ratio), while some really high-end LCD monitors are 1600x1200 (4:3 aspect ratio).

Here's my question in regards to these types of monitors.

#1: I'm a gamer and I change resolutions alot... anything from 640x480 to 800x600 or 1024x768
#2: I'm also getting old and my vision ain't so hot... I can't stand desktop resolutions much higher then 1280x1024... I have to squint alot to see tiny 1600x1200 desktops (even on a big screen).

The two above kinda conflict with each other. I can't see myself running native resolution at 1600x1200 for everyday use, but I could definately see myself at 1280x1024 or 1280x960. Then again, does a 4:3 aspect ratio monitor scale BETTER at 640x480, 800x600 and 1024x768 then a 5:4 aspect ratio monitor?

I have also heard the story of the "oval circle" on 5:4 LCD monitors... is this true or not? I here some people say that is gospel truth and others who say pure hooey, that doesn't happen. Does 5:4 aspect ratio distort anything, especially if you're in a 4:3 resolution like 1024x768 on a 5:4 monitor?

Or is there no real differance in scaling between a 5:4 aspect and a 4:3 aspect monitor (if all other quality issues are equal).

 

[SynthDude2001]

I've never used a 17" or 19" LCD (5:4) for any real length of time, but I'll try to answer your questions. For reference, my monitor is a Dell 2005FPW (20" widescreen, 1680x1050), and I've also used the 2001FP (1600x1200) for a while before I got this one.

My vision is pretty bad too, but I really don't have any problems at all seeing the monitors clearly (either of the "high resolution" ones I've used). With that said, obviously people are different and I suppose it might really just be too "small" for you.

In theory, a 4:3 monitor should scale better to 4:3 resolutions, since the image would remain in the aspect ratio/"shape" that it's supposed to. And if you think about it, a 1600x1200 monitor should scale perfectly to 800x600; 1/2 the number of pixels in each direction, or 1/4 the overall resolution, so one pixel is exactly mapped to four pixels on the screen. And for what it's worth, I find the scaling of the 2001FP to be quite good for an LCD (less so obviously for my widescreen, since all the "standard" resolutions are 4:3, but that's beside the point).

I hope this helps a little bit.

 

[L00PY]

LCDs will always look best at their native resolution (and nearly as good at the same aspect ratio). You might get an "oval circle" with a 5:4 LCD if you were scaling to fit the entire screen with a 4:3 aspect ratio. You would get a "circle circle" with a 5:4 LCD and 4:3 image if your monitor let you view it in a letterboxed mode (1280x960 -- with 32 pixels above and below the image blacked out).

I'd suggest just getting a fast panel with a 4:3 ratio. Try upping the fontsize for your bad eyes.

 

[Wolfshanze]

Thanks for the reply... I guess what I'm saying in a nutshell is this:

I'm shopping for an LCD monitor... probably either 19" or 20"... most 19" are 5:4 while several 20" are 4:3... problem is, I can almost garauntee that I won't run my main desktop higher then either 1280x1024 (5:4) or 1280x960 (4:3) due to my vision and preferances... this would give a monitor with native 1280x1024 resolution the edge, but since I do A LOT of scaling to 4:3 aspect ratios, would this tip the scale back in favor of a 4:3 aspect ratio monitor, even if I basically NEVER use it in it's native resolution?

I really need to find out if this is an issue or not on scaling differances between 5:4 and 4:3 monitors, and if I did go with a 4:3 monitor because of this, would I be okay running my primary desktop in less then native resolution (albeit 4:3)?

(why don't they just make 19" monitors with a 1280x960 4:3 aspect ratio for native?)

You would get a "circle circle" with a 5:4 LCD and 4:3 image if your monitor let you view it in a letterboxed mode (1280x960 -- with 32 pixels above and below the image blacked out).

Now is this a software feature of your drivers (in my case NVidia Forceware) or a hardware feature particular to the monitor and it's OSD functions? If I got a 5:4 monitor and wanted to "letterbox" for a 4:3 aspect ratio, how do I do that, does it make a noticeable differance for scaling, and if it's an OSD feature, do all monitors have that option, or only some?

 

[Peter]

Well obviously since all "normal" resolutions are 4:3 aspect ratio, 1280x1024 panels will do a worse job in scaling these up than 1400x1050 or 1600x1200 panels - you'll either have black borders top and bottom, or the image will be stretched vertically. Besides, scaling 800x600 up to 1600x1200 looks top (for a scaled image) because it's an even ratio, twice the width and height.

 

[Wolfshanze]

I wouldn't mind a little black border if it gave me a better picture in scaling. Is this a feature specific to certain monitors or do all monitors allow "letterboxing" (or is this a software thing?).

My other concern is that if I end up with a 1600x1200 monitor for 4:3 scaling reasons, I know I would never use it in native resolution for my main desktop (probably sticking to 1280x960 or such). If I stick with a more typical 5:4 monitor with a native resolution of 1280x1024, I would use that for my desktop, but then I'm back to issues with scaling to 4:3 resolutions.

Damned if I do, damned if I don't it seems.

 

[Wolfshanze]

Bumpety-Bump.

Anyone got any answers if "letterboxing" a 5:4 aspect monitor to show 4:3 resolutions is a certain monitor-specific feature, a software feature or an "all-LCDs" feature?

 

[Peter]

Why wouldn't you use it at 1600x1200? What's the problem? Fonts and icon sizes can be adjusted, you know?

 

[L00PY]

I'm not certain but I suspect it's actually a monitor feature. If it make things any fuzzier, I have a hunch it's linked to the DVI signal.

Honestly, you'll have to do a bunch of research on specific models. It may be hard to find too given that the average consumer doesn't care about AR, DVI vs sub-D, or even response times. They just like the thinness or getting it in a black case.

If you don't feel like doing the research, just splurge, get the 20" 4:3, and run it in 1600x1200 with large fonts / large icons or drop it down to a 1280x960 or 1024x768.