Is this normal?

[red2]

I got a great deal on a 21" Vivitron monitor.
I noticed though if I stretch the viewing area to fill the entire screen, the image is EXTREMELY blurry. I had to take off about a 1/2" off all the edges to make it look sharp. Is this normal on a monitor this size or is it defective?

[LrngToFly]

Not normal. I've had four 21 inchers of different brands and models. (3 at work... I'm not that rich) None had any problems like that.

[dZeus]

Ahum!

You shouldn't bake bacon on top of your monitor! it leaves behind quite a bit of fat, causing the blurry image. Luckily however, you can wipe off that fat with a tissue, making the image clear again

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Don't mind me; I've drunk far too many Grolsch beer already :-)

[Mindjammer]

I know my old 17" used to get a bunch clearer if I shrunk the screen size. Try decreasing your refresh rate. If this still happens at 640x480 60hz, well I hope your monitor's under warranty.

[MadCat]

Could be Cheap Monitor Syndrome.

Seriously though, this is the way monitors work:

Lower dot-Pitch = sharper image.

Monitors tend to have a lower dot pitch in the center and higher near the edges, its just how theyre made. As a result, a cheaply-made picture tube will just have steadily-decreasing quality out toward the edges. hence the reason you can only get a sharper picture toward the middle.

Now, if I remember correctly, the only place Ive ever seen a Vivitron is with older Gateway 2000 computers. Ive seen the 17" models of these picture tubes, theyre flat vertically and curved horizontally, and fairly blurry. Im willing to bet that monitor of yours is sub-par, wich would explain things.


My personal view on monitors: its ok to spend more on them than other components. After all, you have to look at it every day, and it will be with you a lot longer than a processor ir video card. I also place image quality over size. My last monitor purchase was a Visionmaster Pro 410 17" monitor, even though for the same price I could have had a cheap 19". Ive never regretted it, especially after seeing the cheap 19" monitors my friends bought...yech!

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This Signature Space FOR SALE / RENT



[This message has been edited by MadCat (edited 24 June 2000).]

[xortam]

I don't know if poor quality is your problem, but I have to agree with MadCat. You're spending a lot of time looking at the monitor and its worth spending the extra money to buy one that delivers excellent colors and clarity and can be driven at resolutions and refresh rates that are easy on your eyes. I bought my 17" NEC 5FG for around $1400 back in '93 (boy, have prices come down) and it still delivers a beautiful image and probably will continue to do so for many more years.