16:9 vs. 16:10 contrast ratio?

travis2k2rf · #1 10-10-2009, 11:36 AM

Guys, my knowledge on monitor specs is limited, so I could use some help.

I found a deal on some 24" 1080p monitors that are 16:9 aspect ratio, but have read that I may not like them. The main issue being that text, such as word processing, websites, etc., tends to be blurry with the somewhat "squashed" 16:9 ratio, but that it excels in movie and game display.

How true is this? If I mostly surf the web and write reports, with some occasional movie watching or gaming, should I pass on these monitors since they are 16:9?

PaintedSaint · #2 10-10-2009, 11:37 AM

Thats the aspect ratio, not the contrast ratio.

And no, the aspect ratio will not affect those types of things unless its something completely foreign like 2342x2312

Laius · #3 10-10-2009, 11:40 AM

16x10's are wider than 16x9s, so I don't understand your reasoning.

Supra_MKIII · #4 10-10-2009, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laius

16x10's are wider than 16x9s, so I don't understand your reasoning.

What?

That makes no sense.

16/10 = 1.6666 "wide rating"
16/9 = 1.7777 "wide rating"

16:9 is wider.

OP unless you're going to be watching a ton of movies, just go for 16:10. It's more real estate.

Laius · #5 10-10-2009, 11:58 AM

You're right. For some reason I think the horizontal plane is the second number, and eventually somebody reminds me that it isn't.

One of these days I will stop making that mistake.

travis2k2rf · #6 10-10-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaintedSaint

Thats the aspect ratio, not the contrast ratio.

And no, the aspect ratio will not affect those types of things unless its something completely foreign like 2342x2312

Thanks for correcting me. I knew contrast ratio wasn't correct, but apparently I had a brain fart at the time of this post.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supra_MKIII

What?

That makes no sense.

16/10 = 1.6666 "wide rating"
16/9 = 1.7777 "wide rating"

16:9 is wider.

OP unless you're going to be watching a ton of movies, just go for 16:10. It's more real estate.

I will watch movies and game occasionally, but the primary function of my computer will be word processing, spreadsheets, and web browsing.

Here's a link to the actual monitor so everyone can get a better look at it:

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...0fp25127c0s558

I've read some reviews and everyone says they are great monitors for the price, but the aspect ratio tends to blur the text making them not so great for web browsing and word processing applications, which is mostly what they will be used for in my case.

Supra_MKIII · #7 10-10-2009, 01:03 PM

Aspect ratio won't "blur text"

Pariel · #8 10-10-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supra_MKIII

Aspect ratio won't "blur text"

This.

For that matter, even if it did, you could set the browser window to the right size and it wouldn't be blurry.

Basically, it doesn't matter what the aspect ratio is, just pick a monitor with the resolution and size you want.

Supra_MKIII · #9 10-10-2009, 02:33 PM

TBH find a size and pending you're not doing graphic work, get whatever's cheapest.

The only time **** will be blurry is if you're trying to use the wrong resolution for the monitor.

darx · #10 10-10-2009, 03:34 PM

Since this question has been answered and mines not worth a new thread...

I just bought some HDMI cables for my notebook to connect it with my TV. For some reason it only looks good at 1680x1050 instead of it's usual 1900x1080. When I had VGA cables it looked great, with full resolution. Now using HDMI at that resolution I get super saturated colors, blurry text, and the window itself doesn't even fit the screen.

Anyone had this problem? I'm running it at the lower resolution right now and it still looks great, but I do like the extra room at the higher resolution.

Supra_MKIII · #11 10-10-2009, 03:36 PM

1920x1080, not 1900x1080.

Some TVs like VGA over DVI/HDMI. Mine sure does.

travis2k2rf · #12 10-10-2009, 06:33 PM

This is the kind of comment I was referring to about aspect ratio blurring text:

Quote:

Pros: Price is good.

Viewsonic was once a name well known in CRT circles, sadly their LCD's especially their new 16:9 cut an inch or more off the vertical space TN panels just dont measure up. I suspect this monitor is using a chimei lcd panel. I would recommend you avoid this panel and look at an Acer LG or Samsung instead.

Cons: 16:9 aspect ratio: an inch or more shorter than normal 16:10 lcds ( sorry folks 1080p is nothing new here just a marketing gimmick) Sadly this change makes all resolutions look a bit odd. Those who say otherwise are likely swayed by the "1080P" in the specs or are none the wiser for whats been done here

Other Thoughts: 16:10 aspect ratio is far superior for computer use, text was fuzzy, colors horribly over saturated and after weeks of trying to make this monitor look good I finally gave up. This is not my first LCD and yes I do know how to make them look good, this one doesnt want to look good, traded in for an Acer 223WBD and couldnt be happier. Go with an ACER

That came from some guy on newegg, though he seems to be the only one saying it. Is he just a tard?

Edit: The more reviews I read, the more confused I become. Some people (newegg) say it's a great monitor, others (CNET) give it mediocre ratings at best. I think I might just research some more, rather than jump on a "deal" and be left unsatisfied.

Supra_MKIII · #13 10-10-2009, 06:36 PM

He's saying that if you use a 16:10 resolution on a 16:9 monitor it's going to look bad.

If you buy a 16:10 monitor at 24", use 1920x1200, if you get 16:9, it's going to be 1920x1080.

You can go ahead and ignore most Newegg reviews. The people there usually either don't know what they're talking about or don't realize that it's their own fault that what's happening is happening.

bornestar · #14 10-11-2009, 09:49 PM

I made the mistake of ordering one of these monitors for work. It is super wide. Kinda strange, but whatever.

atm743 · #15 10-12-2009, 12:46 AM

i have a 23" acer 1920x1080 (1080P) and its perfectly fine. im using it right now playing my 360 though hdmi. im on my 20" 1680x1050 (16:10) monitor. Both look fine.

like supra said. only way your going to get blurry text is if you dont have it set to its native resolution.

i love my 23" 1080P monitor. games look awesome on it and watching Blu ray movies and MKV rips looks awesome.

$h@key J0nEZ (Banned) · #16 10-14-2009, 02:24 PM

I love my 16:10 HP PVA Panel. I wish it had LCD back light though.

alive II · #17 10-14-2009, 03:16 PM

I really want to upgrade to the Asus 25" LCD monitor on newegg. My 20" scepter looks so small now a days =[ (although for the price at the time and how its held up so long with no problems still makes me love it)