Has Anyone Heard of this Problem?

[rseven]

I recently purchased a Samsung SyncMaster 710N 17" LCD. After getting it all set up I noticed that everything is slightly elongated at 800x600 resolution. I tried adjusting it, but found it to be impossible. I called Samsung tech support and they said that the screen was normalized on a 5/4 aspect ratio. This would make a 1280x1024 my only option without distorting images. I don't use that resolution as it makes everything too small to see well. I have never heard of monitors being set up in this way as most internet sites are a 4/3 aspect ratio. Now, I'm debatiing if I should return the monitor and take the hit for restocking and shipping or just live with it and consider it a lesson learned. Has anyone heard of this or experienced this problem?

[Restorer]

This is why I don't like 17" or 19" LCDs. Somewhere along the way, 1280x1024 became a standard CRT resolution, even though it was out of aspect; LCD makers started using it, but had to make their LCDs 5:4 to fit all the pixels, and so the regular 4:3 resolutions don't work well.

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=368737

[rseven]

Thanks Restorer, that thread was informative. (Duh! I should have done a search) I checked out an RMA and with the shipping, insurance and 15% restocking fee it's probably best to keep it. These high tech companies must be run by village idiots. Just about every piece of gear is flawed. I think I may find another hobby. How does knitting sound? :D

[Restorer]

You're welcome, rseven. I've just accepted that if I want a 17" or 19" LCD, I'll have to use it at native resolution all the time. Fortunately, that won't be a problem because if I ever get one, it will be the second screen used in a dual-screen configuration. Until then, it's CRTs, unless I can miraculously afford a 20"+ LCD that will do 1600x1200.

Even Apple made its 17" LCD display a 5:4 aspect, but at least they supported smaller 5:4 resolutions, like 1024x820 and 800x640. Maybe you can find some sort of utility for Windows that will let you choose those resolutions.

[rseven]

There is a program called Liquid View that enlarges the desktop, but not the internet. I'll keep an eye out for other spftware now that I know I have the problem.

[covana2244]

If you like 800x600 resolution then sadly you should either get a crt or a 15" lcd. The image quality dramastically reduces on lcd's the further away you get away from the native res.