Samsung 150mb - 1280x1024 resolution

[JKurtz]

Does anyone know how to get this monitor into 1280x1024 resolution?

I'm using Windows ME, with a Creative Labs Annihilator Pro (DDR) video card.

Samsung's site says it will do 1280x1024 @ 65, however, my settings allow me to specify just about any rate except 65 ???

The driver is a shared one for Model 150mp, which doesn't do the 1280x1024. I'm thinking that because of the shared driver, I'm not getting the 65 rate?

Is there a way to change the .inf so I can select 65 for my monitor.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Gosharkss]

First your 150mb is a LCD monitor, all LCD monitors are fixed resolution devices. LCD monitors use a matrix of cells so the pixels are in a fixed location and therefore define the native resolution of the monitor. In this case the native resolution is 1024 x 768. This is why Samsung recommends this resolution. What happens at resolutions other than the native resolution is that the electronics must scale the smaller image up to the maximum size of the matrix or cells. The scaling is relatively easy if you are dividing or multiplying by 2 (going from 1280 to 640 for example, the height and width of the pixels are halved) but difficult when scaling by a non-integer. When the scaling factor is not an integer its not possible to uniquely assign data to a singe pixel or cell. The mathematical rounding errors can create the fuzziness or clarity problems you see. Most LCD monitors today have complex circuitry to reduce this phenomenon however the odds are you will still see some artifacts at resolutions other than the native resolution.

Secondly, even though the spec sheet says 1280 x 1024 at 65Hz maximum, I suspect this is a theoretical calculation based only on the horizontal scan rate. Looking deeper at the specs I noticed that this product has a 95Mhz pixel clock maximum. In order to achieve 1280 x 1024 at 65Hz a pixel clock of at least 108Mhz is required. Something does not add up on this spec sheet.

Maybe LXi or Briggs can enlighten us on this issue they seem to know a lot about Samsung products.

Good Luck

 

[JKurtz]

You got 1280x1024 on the 150mb?

Does it look OK?

 

[JKurtz]

Gosharkss,

We have several HP Omnibook 6000's that do 1400 x 1050, without a single problem. They have a 15 inch screen. (and its very crisp!)

That's why when I saw the specs for the Samsung doing 1280, I assumed it was on the level. However, I can't seem to get my machine to list 65 as a refresh rate.

I guess my question is: Does the monitor dictate the refresh rates, or is it the video card, or what both have in common?

Thanks for your reply!

 

[Gosharkss]

On the monitor side it is the horizontal scan rate (HSR) along with the pixel clock that determines the maximum resolution and refresh rate. A 70Khz (HSR) monitor like the 150mb is theoretically capable of supporting 1280 x 1024 at 65Hz. The math gets complicated to figure out the pixel clock so trust me. Even though the pixel clock is not rated at 108Mhz I would expect the monitor to at least display an image.

The limiting factor may be happening in Windows plug and play. The monitor's information is stored in a file that is accessed during boot up. If the manufacturer limited the resolution in the EDID file, this may explain why your card will not run at 1280 x 1024 at65Hz.

Monitors are for the most part dumb. And it is the controller that for the most part determines the resolution. You should be able to force your video card to 1280 x 1024 at 65Hz. Try another monitor, get it running 1280 x 1024 at 65Hz. Then hot swap the 15-mb in. I would expect it to work.

I never trust "Maximum" on manufacturers spec sheets. Most of the time these are calculated or theoretical only. I only trust "recommended"

Good luck

Jim