About interpolation and aspect ratio...

CrowK · 9 Apr 2006 at 17:30

I'm not sure if I can make this comprehendible since I'm no expert myself, but I've a few questions about LCDs and google just won't spill the beans.

As I understand it interpolation is just a fact of life if you're going to use an LCD at a non-native resolution. Running my current 17" at anything other than 1280*1024 makes me want to get my eyes checked.

But what I'm wondering is does the change in aspect ratio matter as much (or more) than the change in resolution.

For example: a 1280*1024(5:4) monitor shows some interp when displaying at 1280*960(4:3)

Does a 1600*1200(4:3) monitor displaying 1280*960(4:3) show less interp, since the interpolation is linear, with the same aspect ratio?
What about a widescreen(1680*1050,16:10) displaying a lower res? :confused:

And finally is there enough of a difference to justify getting a 20.1"?

Baddass · 9 Apr 2006 at 22:12

welcome to OcUK

If you interpolate the resolution outside of it's native res then there is some loss in image quality, most noticably in terms of sharpness. This isn't really a major issue in gaming, but certainly isn't very nice in Windows. If you are running at a res which is linear to the TFT's native res then yes, it might look a bit better since it's more uniform and each pixel is doing the same proportions of the image if that makes sense....one way round having to interpolate the res is getting a screen with 1:1 pixel mapping. This would allow you for instance to run a game at 1280 x 1024 with blakc borders around the edges. it would be like playing a 19" screen within a 20"WS for example. Some models support this feature, eg the NEC LCD20WGX2 and Dell 2405FPW.

it's quite a jump in in res and size going from a 19" to a 20"WS, and the WS format is really nice for movies certainly. With the availability of very good screens and at good prices nowadays, the 20"WS market might be the best place to invest imo

CrowK · 10 Apr 2006 at 17:23

Thank you for clearing that up. :cool:

Looks like I'll be investing in a 20WS shortly, either a NEC LCD20WGX2 as you suggested or a Dell 2001FP, since a pivoting screen is the other main feature I'd be interested in. There aren't any 20WS' with a pivot/rotate screen are there?

Baddass · 10 Apr 2006 at 18:39

Dell 2005FPW has it, as does the new version due soon, the 2007WFP. None of the other main stream ones have this function that i can think of off the top of my head

CrowK · 10 Apr 2006 at 19:48

Baddass said:
Dell 2005FPW has it, as does the new version due soon, the 2007WFP. None of the other main stream ones have this function that i can think of off the top of my head

That's interesting as it doesn't say so here

...but I've checked out some ppls setups in the 'show us your TFT' thread and it's got it alright. Looks so good in portrait mode, the first thing I'll do when I get my hands on it is dig up a copy of Xenon II :cool:

, or possibly SWIV

Baddass · 10 Apr 2006 at 20:19

yep, it certainly does have it. looks pretty good like you say. also, old pic here, but the 2405FPW in portrait to wet your appetite: