What's the deal with the 1280x1024 resolution?

[Ronin13]

I've never understood the 1280x1024 resolution, being a 5:4 ratio instead of the correct 4:3 ratio (like 1024x768, 1280x960, 1600x1200, etc).

Yet many LCDs have this as their native resolution. For those of you with such a screen, doesn't it bother you that things aren't presented like they should? Like a circle that isn't perfectly round?

Are there any LCDs that have a 1280x960 resolution?

 

[Elderly Newt]

Those circles would still be round. Their dimensions are based on pixels - 100 pixels x 100 pixels is the same no matter what the aspect ratio is.

 

[Boldgamer]

I have never noticed anything abnormal about using this resolution. My circles still look like circles...

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

There isn't really a "correct" aspect ratio since there are many different possibilites, but yeah.. a 4:3 res stretched to fit the 5:4 screen will look goofy. If you set a game to a 1280x1024 though, it should look right on the display in my experience.

Thanks for the link to what a circle is btw

 

[SexyK]

As has been stated, a circle will be a circle unless you're a little "dim" and set a 5:4 screen to 1280x960 or set your 4:3 screen to 1280x1024. As long as the physical screen dimensions match up to the resolution you're using, you'll be fine.

 

[Ronin13]

Originally posted by: SexyK
As has been stated, a circle will be a circle unless you're a little "dim" and set a 5:4 screen to 1280x960 or set your 4:3 screen to 1280x1024. As long as the physical screen dimensions match up to the resolution you're using, you'll be fine.

Oh, so those screens using the 1280x1024 res are actually 5:4? That makes a lot of sense - I had just assumed they were 4:3 (and I read one review that said you should try to get a 1280x960 res screen over a 1280x1024 one).

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Thanks for the link to what a circle is btw

You're very wellcome!

(I made that link under the assumption that 1280x1024 screens actually had a 4:3 ratio, this way people with such screens could easily check out the distortion I thought was going on.)