How does widescreen monitors work with Games?

**mynameis** · 10-29-2003, 04:52 PM

Lets say you have a widescreen monitor that supports 1280x800, you run a game that runs at 1024x768, does it just stretch it or will it add black bars to the side.

**RGDM** · 10-29-2003, 05:04 PM

Hehe try to PM: Mikeysg

I think he can really help you out with that. He uses a nice plasma widescreen for his computer.

**|_053|2** · 10-29-2003, 06:46 PM

Originally posted by RGDM
He uses a nice plasma widescreen for his computer.

lucky bastard

**boob** · 10-29-2003, 10:37 PM

I know with the dell widescreen laptops you hit a certain combo of keys (can't think of it off hand) and it will properly display the resolution you set, with black bars or area where the screen is not used. I saw this in thier support forums FAQ.

With desktop widescreen LCD's i'm not real sure, it would be nice for them to have that option, no one likes a distorted image.

**irwincur** · 10-29-2003, 11:53 PM

1280x800, what screen does that. Why would they not just settle for the standard 1280x768, better yet, the HDTV standard 1280x720. Odd.

**abs9986** · 10-30-2003, 08:10 AM

A widescreen moniter will just strech out the 4:3 image.

Just like a widescreen tv does when watching regular tv or a full screen dvd.

For a moniter, the stechting wouldnt not be too noticalbe in my opinion.

**AverageJoe** · 10-30-2003, 08:23 AM

Originally posted by abs9986
A widescreen moniter will just strech out the 4:3 image.

Just like a widescreen tv does when watching regular tv or a full screen dvd.

For a moniter, the stechting wouldnt not be too noticalbe in my opinion.

Actually, most widescreen tv's allow 4:3 drop down, which keeps the 4:3 aspect ratio and puts black bars on the left and right. Dunno about computer monitors though.

**mikeysg** · 10-30-2003, 09:10 AM

Originally posted by AverageJoe
Actually, most widescreen tv's allow 4:3 drop down, which keeps the 4:3 aspect ratio and puts black bars on the left and right. Dunno about computer monitors though.

Quite true, NOT so AverageJoe.

I can use either WS format, ie. image is stretched a lil to fill out the screen w/o black bars on top and below, or I can set it to 4:3, then I'll have a screen size of 40+" but pic is displayed w/o stretching like any monitor.

I just let it run at WS mode, doesn't affect gameplay at all.

It's just that characters in the game appear a lil fatter or shorter, or both!

**irwincur** · 10-30-2003, 09:54 AM

You get used to the short/fat look in no time. I have my TV to display full wide, and now when I see a normal 4:3 analog TV, everything looks way too skinny. Within a week you won't even notice a problem.

**EverlastingGod** · 10-30-2003, 10:00 AM

Originally posted by mynameis
Lets say you have a widescreen monitor that supports 1280x800, you run a game that runs at 1024x768, does it just stretch it or will it add black bars to the side.

Depends on the monitor... Also, your video card drivers may be able to control stretching.

**mikeysg** · 10-30-2003, 10:17 AM

Originally posted by irwincur
You get used to the short/fat look in no time. I have my TV to display full wide, and now when I see a normal 4:3 analog TV, everything looks way too skinny. Within a week you won't even notice a problem.

I'd have to agree with that, it takes a little getting use to but you'd hardly notice it after a few days. I've got mine at full WS mode too, DVD movies look awesome - especially anamorphic 16;9!

**Recon** · 10-30-2003, 01:46 PM

Max Payne 2 ran like a charm at 1680 x 1050

ummm widescreen gaming goodness!!!

**Racer^** · 10-30-2003, 03:15 PM

Besides bragging rights, I can't see one good reason to get a wide screen display just for gaming unless you are actually playing at a resolution that is analygous to the display. Stretching an image is of course doable, but then why not just use a normal 3:4 display? Its not like you see more.

Conversely, if you want an extra-wide desktop or have DVDs in 16:9 ratio that you want to watch, then an wide display makes sense.

**abs9986** · 10-30-2003, 06:17 PM

I cant stand the vertical black bars.... I'd just keep it so the imgage was a little streched out.

Honestly, I barely notice it on my 56 inch widescreen tv, so a moniter wont be that bad.

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