[ltp] External LCD monitor

Allen, Michael B (RSCH) linux-thinkpad@linux-thinkpad.org
Thu, 13 Mar 2003 22:02:45 -0500


I don't see the problem. Why can't you use the 1600x1200 or whatever the
LCD is and when you detach from the port replecator you switch to
1400x1050? If X isn't smart enough to handle different screens automatically
(I bet it is if you dig into it) you can just have the two requisite modelines
with those resolutions referenced in the "Modes" directive and use Shift-+
Shift-- to switch.

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	D. Sen [SMTP:dsen@ieee.org]
> Sent:	Thursday, March 13, 2003 9:55 PM
> To:	linux-thinkpad@linux-thinkpad.org
> Subject:	Re: [ltp] External LCD monitor
> 
> Thanks. The other solution would be to find an external LCD panel which 
> has a native resolution of 1400x1050. Anyone know if they exist?
> 
> DS
> 
> Richard Neill wrote:
> > My understanding of this is the following:
> > 
> > LCD panels have a native resolution which is defined by the way the 
> > pixels are located on the glass.
> > 
> > CRTs don't, because there are very many more phosphor dots than pixels.
> > (e.g. you can scale/move the image on a CRT monitor using the monitor 
> > buttons).
> > 
> > The consequences are:
> > 
> > CRTs can work at any resolution. Anti-aliased fonts also look good.
> > 
> > LCDs really don't work at anything but their design-resolution. Anything 
> > else will look badly smudged. (an exact multiple will work better eg 
> > 800x600 on a 1600x1200 display). A-a fonts are also often not nice.
> > 
> > The problem with high resolution, small size LCDs is that fonts are 
> > often tiny. The fix is to add the DisplaySize line to 
> > /etc/X11/XF86Config-4. Eg on my thinkpad at 1600x1200 on a 15" display, 
> > I have
> > 
> > 
> > Section "Monitor"
> >     Identifier "Generic|Generic Laptop Display Panel 1600x1200"
> >     VendorName "Generic"
> >     ModelName  "Unknown"
> > 
> > #Added by rjn to sort out tiny fonts - these are width, height in mm
> >     DisplaySize 304 228
> > 
> > 
> > That means that you have to drive your external panel at its native 
> > resolution, not the same res as the internal LCD. This is possible (but 
> > I've never done it, so I can't say how).
> > 
> > 
> > Hope that helps a bit.
> > 
> > Richard
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > D. Sen wrote:
> > 
> >> Thanks. Yeah, the aliasing was bad with the 1600x1280 monitor. 
> >> Pictures were fine though. I do have a port-replicator with a DVI 
> >> output. I will see if that makes it any better.
> >>
> >> (Using a T30 BTW).
> >>
> >>
> >> Allen, Michael B (RSCH) wrote:
> >>
> >>> You need to use the DVI output or it will look interpolated. The port 
> >>> replecators
> >>> usually have DVI out although I would check that the DVI out supports 
> >>> that
> >>> resolution. Incedentally the 22" Dell FP is currently $799.20. I got 
> >>> one a while
> >>> back. It's nice if you have DVI out (had to get the Radeon 7500 I 
> >>> think it was). I
> >>> don't have a port replacator yet so I don't know if it will work with 
> >>> my T30.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>> -----Original Message-----
> >>>> From:    D. Sen [SMTP:dsen@ieee.org]
> >>>> Sent:    Thursday, March 13, 2003 8:28 PM
> >>>> To:    linux-thinkpad@linux-thinkpad.org
> >>>> Subject:    [ltp] External LCD monitor
> >>>>
> >>>> I am thinking about buying an external 17-19" LCD monitor that will 
> >>>> work with my thinkpad which has a native resolution of 1400x1050. 
> >>>> Any suggestions on what works well?
> >>>>
> >>>> I tried the thinkpad on an external Mitsubishi panel with 1600x1280 
> >>>> resolution and it didnt look too good.
> >>>>
> >>>> Thanks,
> >>>> DS
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> -- 
> >>>> The linux-thinkpad mailing list home page is at:
> >>>> http://mailman.linux-thinkpad.org/mailman/listinfo/linux-thinkpad
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> > 
> 
> -- 
> D. Sen,
> http://www.auditorymodels.org/~dsen
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> The linux-thinkpad mailing list home page is at:
> http://mailman.linux-thinkpad.org/mailman/listinfo/linux-thinkpad