How to Avoid Picture Stretching on Wide Computer Screens
Computer screens come in a wide variety of sizes and may conform to one of several aspect ratios that describe the monitor's width in relation to its height. The computer system can also output a wide variety of screen resolutions, and if the aspect ratio of the resolution does not match the ratio of the screen, the image appears stretched and warped. Many computers have default resolutions for 4:3 aspect ratios, making the problem more common when using a widescreen monitor. Changing the display settings from within the computer's operating system and inside specific programs will ensure the picture does not stretch.
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Instructions
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Determine the monitor's aspect ratio. The manufacturer's description or packaging may list the ratio, or you can measure the screen width and divide it by the screen height. A result of 1.33 means the monitor uses the "standard" 4:3 aspect ratio. A widescreen monitor will probably result in a 1.77 result, signifying it has a 16:9 ratio---or 1.6---which is the less common 16:10 ratio.
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Select a resolution matching the monitor's aspect ratio. Common resolutions conform to certain ratios. For instance, a resolution of 1024 by 768 uses the 4:3 ratio, while 1440 by 900 is a 16:10 resolution. Calculate a specific resolution by dividing the first number by the second, and interpreting the results as in the previous step. You can change the resolution in Windows using the "Display" icon in the Control Panel. In OSX, open the "Display" section of the "System Preferences" window.
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Change the resolution again when using any full screen game or application. Choose the same resolution as the desktop or another resolution that uses the same widescreen aspect ratio. Some applications allow you to choose the ratio directly and automatically choose a resolution based on that choice. These settings are specific to each application.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have a separate display program as a part of the system's video card driver, such as ATI's Catalyst Control Center or NVIDIA's Control Panel, there may be an option to automatically detect the display's aspect ratio and switch to a conforming resolution.
References
- Photo Credit Monitor image by Caila from Fotolia.com
