HD LCD Monitor Resolutions

JWMakoto · 08-21-2006, 02:20 PM

Hopefully this is the correct place for this question, but here goes..
So basically I'm looking for a computer monitor to function as a HDTV for a game console later (PS3). Don't need a big one, I'm just looking at things around 17-19'' widescreen for my room.
Most of the ones I've looked at have a resolution of 1440 x 900. I've been told this will run in 720p, but I've also heard that there will be a fair amont of stretching going on, due to not running in its native resolution.
What max resolution will run 720p the best? I'm mainly looking for monitors that will run in 720p, since 1080i/p monitors are pretty much out of my budget.

ebackhus · 08-22-2006, 11:11 AM

High Definition has two major resolutions that are specified.

1280x720 is considered the minimum for HD and 1920x1080 is true HD.

In my personal opinion it's not worth it to get an HD display that's any smaller than 40" because you simply won' be able to see anything on something smaller.

JWMakoto · 08-22-2006, 11:27 PM

Thanks for the response... yeah, this would be a temporary thing, just for my room. I really can't afford a full HDTV atm, but I was at a buddies house checking out his monitor, and while it may not be 'true' HD, it's still a very nice step up over using the 20'' normal tv I've got now.

So since 1280 x 720 is the 'minimal' for HD, a 1440 x 900 monitor would do it for sure, but my real question is would there be any major stretching/scaling issues with it displaying in that non-native resolution, or would it be fine/not noticeable?

ebackhus · 08-23-2006, 11:27 AM

That can depend...

On my laptop if I scale up 640x480 to fit the native 1024x768 it looks like garbage! On the PC my friend built he runs a 1024x768 desktop on a panel designed for 1280x1024 and it looks pretty nice.

**Fox** · 08-23-2006, 11:34 AM

I've found that running lower resolutions on an LCD isn't bad as long as it keeps the same aspect ratio. Otherwise, it has to stretch and you loose fidelity.

08-21-2006, 02:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
JWMakoto Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2 OS: Mac OS 10.4	HD LCD Monitor Resolutions Hopefully this is the correct place for this question, but here goes.. So basically I'm looking for a computer monitor to function as a HDTV for a game console later (PS3). Don't need a big one, I'm just looking at things around 17-19'' widescreen for my room. Most of the ones I've looked at have a resolution of 1440 x 900. I've been told this will run in 720p, but I've also heard that there will be a fair amont of stretching going on, due to not running in its native resolution. What max resolution will run 720p the best? I'm mainly looking for monitors that will run in 720p, since 1080i/p monitors are pretty much out of my budget.

08-22-2006, 11:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,262 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	High Definition has two major resolutions that are specified. 1280x720 is considered the minimum for HD and 1920x1080 is true HD. In my personal opinion it's not worth it to get an HD display that's any smaller than 40" because you simply won' be able to see anything on something smaller. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

08-23-2006, 11:27 AM	#4 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,262 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	That can depend... On my laptop if I scale up 640x480 to fit the native 1024x768 it looks like garbage! On the PC my friend built he runs a 1024x768 desktop on a panel designed for 1280x1024 and it looks pretty nice. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

08-23-2006, 11:34 AM	#5 (permalink)
Fox TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 7,752 OS: XP Pro, CentOS My System	I've found that running lower resolutions on an LCD isn't bad as long as it keeps the same aspect ratio. Otherwise, it has to stretch and you loose fidelity. __________________ Antec Neo Power 500W, ABIT IP35-E, Intel E2180@2.66Ghz, Corsair XMS2 2x1GB DDR2-800, PNY 8800GT, 320GB Seagate * lazy college student alert *- If I've inadvertently ignored a thread, please Let me know about it Have I helped you solve your problem? Donate to Techsupportforums Klart Skepp!

08-22-2006, 11:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
JWMakoto Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2 OS: Mac OS 10.4	Thanks for the response... yeah, this would be a temporary thing, just for my room. I really can't afford a full HDTV atm, but I was at a buddies house checking out his monitor, and while it may not be 'true' HD, it's still a very nice step up over using the 20'' normal tv I've got now. So since 1280 x 720 is the 'minimal' for HD, a 1440 x 900 monitor would do it for sure, but my real question is would there be any major stretching/scaling issues with it displaying in that non-native resolution, or would it be fine/not noticeable?