Blurry Text

[JCO]

I'm having issues with my computer. The text always seems to be blurred. I
have a high resolution setting, 1600X1024. My video card is a 512 MB, 128
bits, GeForce 8600GTS (which is a very good card). Reading news on the
Internet, emails using outlook and even pop up dialogs are difficult because
the letters (text) are not sharp. My monitor is a Samsung SyncMaster 2053.

I've already made sure that I'm running the proper drivers for my monitor
and the video card. What else can I do? Thanks

 

[Leonard Grey]

If you have an LCD monitor you can improve the appearance of text by
using ClearType. If you do not have an LCD monitor text will appear
better without ClearType.

An LCD monitor is designed to be used at its native resolution. The
image will look fuzzy at other resolutions. If you do not have an LCD
monitor you are free to use whatever resolution is supported by your
monitor and video card.

 

[blank]

If it is the 2053BW, you should be running at the resolution 1680x1050
Any other resolution will make text look bad.
Always run an LCD monitor at its native resolution. Getting "close" will
actually often be worse than something further away.

 

[JCO]

1680X1050 works great. I don't understand why, nor do I understand what
"ClearType" (Leonard Grey's reply) means but it is working great now.

 

[cf]

Of historical note on Tue, 27 May 2008 00:15:50 GMT
" JCO" <[email protected]> scribed:

|1680X1050 works great. I don't understand why, nor do I understand what
|"ClearType" (Leonard Grey's reply) means but it is working great now.
|
||> |>
|>>> I'm having issues with my computer. The text always seems to be
|>>> blurred. I have a high resolution setting, 1600X1024. My video card
|>>> is a 512 MB, 128 bits, GeForce 8600GTS (which is a very good card).
|>>> Reading news on the Internet, emails using outlook and even pop up
|>>> dialogs are difficult because the letters (text) are not sharp. My
|>>> monitor is a Samsung SyncMaster 2053.
|>>>
|>>> I've already made sure that I'm running the proper drivers for my
|>>> monitor and the video card. What else can I do? Thanks
|>>>
|>>
|>
|> If it is the 2053BW, you should be running at the resolution 1680x1050
|> Any other resolution will make text look bad.
|> Always run an LCD monitor at its native resolution. Getting "close" will
|> actually often be worse than something further away.
|

You may be interested in reading more about the Clear Type Tuner here:

ClearType Tuner
<http://www.microsoft.com/typography/ClearType/tuner/tune.aspx>

PowerToys for Windows XP
<http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx>

hth

 

[Swifty]

You may be interested in reading more about the Clear Type Tuner here:

ClearType Tuner
<http://www.microsoft.com/typography/ClearType/tuner/tune.aspx>

PowerToys for Windows XP
<http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx>

I heartily second this suggestion. Cleartype isn't for everyone (I would
willingly sacrifice it for an LCD with triple the dots-per-inch) but
until that day, it's usually a worthwhile test.

Windows boots with cleartype off (there may be a way to fix this) then
turns cleartype on just after you enter your userid/password (if your
userid has selected it). It's wonderful to see how the display jumps
into focus when that happens.

 

[JCO]

Another question:
Does each different size (or type) of LCD have its own native resolution?
Reason is this. My other computer that shares the same monitor (key board &
mouse) has a different Graphics card and at the highest resolution, can only
get to 1600X1024. I can't get 1600x1050. What are my options then.

Maybe that is what the powertoy, below, is for. I will check that out too.

Thanks

 

[Leonard Grey]

Generally, LCD monitors of the same size and aspect ratio have the same
native resolution, but there's no need to guess since the native
resolution will be shown in the monitor's user guide and on the
manufacturer's web site.

 

[JCO]

What about my second question ... that my other computer will not reach that
resolution?
Thanks again for all your help

 

[Swifty]

What about my second question ... that my other computer will not reach
that resolution?

Sometimes you can persuade a graphics card to run at a resolution that
it doesn't offer but it's been years since I did this so I'll keep quiet
unless I spread confusion.

If not then you might need a different graphics card. If the "other
computer" is a laptop then this might be a challenge.

 

[Leonard Grey]

A graphics card can only output its supported resolutions.

 

[David B.]

Only option is to replace the card with a newer model.

 

[parya 4u]

I have recently bought the above monitor as a replacement to my CRT with the following effects

1.Images are sharper than before but text is blurry at the best of times.

2.Text is perfect at 1400 x 900 but this makes everything look tiny to me ( so tiny I hate it!!)

3.The monitor is advertised as a WideScreen TFT (1400 X 900) which I guess is the native/optimal resolution

I am comfortable with the 1024 x 768 resolution and want to know how can I achieve it.I am using Clear Type(Thank God!)which has helped a bit but still my CRT text was much better.

I want to know if having a newer graphics card would help. My os is Win XP

 

[Big_Al]

I have recently bought the above monitor as a replacement to my CRT with the following effects

1.Images are sharper than before but text is blurry at the best of times.

2.Text is perfect at 1400 x 900 but this makes everything look tiny to me ( so tiny I hate it!!)

3.The monitor is advertised as a WideScreen TFT (1400 X 900) which I guess is the native/optimal resolution

I am comfortable with the 1024 x 768 resolution and want to know how can I achieve it.I am using Clear Type(Thank God!)which has helped a bit but still my CRT text was much better.

I want to know if having a newer graphics card would help. My os is Win XP

Change the frequency on the video card. I just had a new LCD and
called the manufacturer (or email) and they said change it from 60 hz to
like 70 or 75. It did an amazing improvement. At least for me.

 

[blank]

Change the frequency on the video card. I just had a new LCD and
called the manufacturer (or email) and they said change it from 60 hz
to like 70 or 75. It did an amazing improvement. At least for me.

On an LCD monitor, refresh rate should have very little effect on the image
seen (unless you go higher than the maximum rate, which will result in no
picture at all). Most have a recommended rate of 60Hz, but some will
accept 70-75Hz.

Text will normally only look good at the native resolution of the monitor,
and if you change the aspect ratio from 14:9 (1400:900) to 4:3 (1024:768),
it makes things even worse, as things are stretched horizontally more than
vertically.

You should set the resolution to 1400x900 but change your text, icon, and
other screen element sizes (display properties/appearance/advanced
settings) so that they are not so "tiny". You could also try the
"accesibility wizard" under Start Menu/Accessories/ Accessibility to help
you set these things up (after selecting the correct native resolution of
your screen).

A new graphics card is unlikely to help - it is the mismatch between your
set screen resolution and physical number of pixels on the display that is
causing the problem. This is more noticeable on an LCD screen because each
pixel is totally independent, unlike a CRT where they sort of "blend"
together somewhat.