Widescreen mode or driver?

Question

I have been doing work on many computers (desktops) where the client uses widescreen monitors, but since the operating system is usually set to display on a 4:3 monitor, the widescreen monitor usually stretches the image to fit the widescreen monitor, I always thought this was because they used VGA over DVI

I just got a new widescreen monitor myself today, and connected it to a computer (desktop) running Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 using a VGA cable, and to my amazement, after a resolution change, I was able to get a widescreen image, and I get a pretty clear image

I am guessing I am getting widescreen resolution settings because I use a Media Center OS, which is great and everything, but it really sucks for the people that don't have MCE

Is there a driver or some sort of program that will allow widescreen resolution options in an operating system that isn't Media Center or Vista? (like XP Home or XP Pro for example), I just think it would help out those people that have widescreen monitors, but don't have a widescreen compatible OS to match

Answer 1

The OS doesn't matter, they just need the correct video card drivers, and have the resolution set properly at the recommend resolution for the LCD.



It is all in the resolution. You change the resolution by right click on the desktop, going to properites, and than the last tab at the end (for XP).



If your using like a resolution of 1280 x 1024 on a wide screen monitor, it will look awful, but if your doing 1280 X 800 or 1400 X 900, etc etc, it will look proper.



If those people aren't able to get to those resolutions or what the lcd monitor is made to handle, it is probably because the standard windows driver is being used, and not one for there video card.

Answer 2

The monitor may also have a driver.



When I upgraded from a CRT to a wide LCD, I needed to install a driver CD to get the resolution proper. My OS is WinXP Home, SP3.

Answer 3

You probably need your video card driver. Install it and check the resolution settings.

Answer 4

1280x1024 is incredibly 5:4, and it greater "boxy" than 4:3, yet i exploit it and it seems large. bypass away it at that. different 4:3 resolutions that is large are 1152x864 and 1024x768. do no longer do others; it may effect in a stretched look.

Answer 5

Hi Mike, I'm sorry I can't give you an answer to your question, but I will ask people who may know.