New widescreen LCD monitor (LG L204WT) problem

[WSW]

I recently purchased a new 20" LG L204WT widescreen LCD monitor. I connect it to my old P4 computer with a Matrox G550 video card. I updated the G550 with the latest video driver. I set the resolution to 1280 to 1024.

My problem is everything got stretched out to fit the screen. For example, when I view my photos on screen, everyone in the photo looks fat and short. I read through the monitor manual but could not find a way to toggle between widescreen (16:9) and standard (4:3).

Is there a way to set the monitor to standard (4:3) mode or even better be able to toggle between standard and widescreen mode?

[RJ]

Hi,

you need to choose a different resolution. The one you chose is 5:4 and thus will be stretched to fiill the screen. You need to choose the monitor's native resolution (it's a 16:10 resolution), then the screen won't be stretched anymore.

There should also be an option for the monitor how to display resolution: Stretched, or original resolution.
But as the original resolution is not 4:3, but 5:4, it won't be displayed in 4:3 either way.

So, the best would be to choose your monitor's native resolution, that applies to any monitor, whether it be widescreen, 4:3, or 5:4.

The Geek

[WSW]

Thanks for your suggestion. I also got a similar suggestion, i.e. to use native solution, from Matrox Support as follows:

"The native resolution of your monitor is 1680x1050. The desired resolution is not currently supported in the latest driver package. It has been added to the following drivers. Uninstall the current drivers and install the beta version from ftp://mgidrv:FRiukl7x@privftp.matrox...ublic/5.96.004 beta ws.zip

After driver installation, the resolution should show up in the slider if the card detects the information in the monitors’ edid.

Under the monitor tab in advanced display properties, uncheck hide modes that this monitor cannot display” and apply."

I also downloaded the Matrox Tweek Utility. With the help of this utility and the new driver, I was able to select the native resolution 1680x1050. Now everything works fine. The Matrox G550 card, although old, still display excellent quality on the new LG 20" LCD widescreen monitor.