Widescreen 19" 1440x900 LCDs: Concerns with games, etc

[PingSpike]

I keep going back and force on LCDs...I don't usually like to game at a really high resolution simply because I don't like to shell out the cash for really highend graphics cards. However, the widescreen LCDs have sort of caught my eye. I can see a real advantage in taking the horse blinders off in games online.

But it seems its not as simple as that sometimes. I've been browsing the forums a bit and some games flat out won't support widescreen. And thats fine as long as I can run it with the "black bars" on the sides...but can I ALWAYS do that?

And a more broad LCD question...can you both scale AND use "black bars". For instance, starcraft has a one resolution, 640x480. The game looks like ass these days so scaling isn't a big concern for me...however if it were to scale AND scretch it across the screen that would drive me kind of nuts. Granted I don't play that game much anymore but still.

The 1440x900 ones have me most interested because as of right now I run a 19" CRT which is kind of on its last legs. I'd get the widescreen support, a bit more windows desktop real estate and I wouldn't have to bump my resolutions up a ton from where I am now in games.

 

[SlowSpyder]

I use a 19" widescreen monitor and love it. If you search you can usually find tweaks to play older games on a widescreen display.

http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/forum/

Check there, and use Google, you'll probably be able to find ways to make older games work.

 

[PingSpike]

Thanks for the link. It seems that 'fixed aspect ratio' scaling isn't possible on ATI cards...or isn't possible with out some weird drivers? Do you need a DVI input? Bleh...I still can't get my head around it.

 

[SlowSpyder]

No idea.

But, I do not have DVI but have played several older games that do not have Widescreen support without any issues. I do use an Nvidia card though. I've played Divine Divinity, Morrowind, and GTA and have had no issues at 1440 x 900.

 

[PingSpike]

Yeah, the more I read about it the more it seems like its possible but just a PITA sometimes. I'm thinking this would be a good choice for me. I didn't really understand the appeal of WS at first but I can see some advantages here.