Matched tri LCD setup ?

[GeminiCool]

I posted part of this in Kyle's thread but thought this is a worthwhile question and should be on its own...

When I designed my gaming desk I took a close look at pixel size to distance. At 30" away I find a 26" display is almost two wide to be able to see the entire screen comfortably. I found that a 26" display was needed to ensure that text could be seen easily at a 1200 vertical resolution.

At work, I run 2x 19" displays (4:3 aspect ratio) and sit about 25" away. With over 28" of horizontal viewing, I found myself angling each monitor in slightly.

What's the point... if you’re trying to build a tri monitor gaming rig, you may find that a 24 or 26" center display (16:10) with 'matched' 4:3 side displays feels optimal depending on your distance from the displays. The problem becomes matched displays DON'T EXIST! I've created a spreadsheet and tried to enter LCD panel sizes and resolutions. I can't get a match at native resolutions.

20” (3:4 – 1200x1600) 30” (16:10 – 2560x1600) 20” (3:4 – 1200x1600)
17” (3:4 – 1024x1280) 25.5”(16:10 – 1920x1200) 17” (3:4 – 1024x1280)

Like this.. but with matched physical height, bezel, and resolution.

Am I just crazy here? Has this question been raised before? Are there any manufacturers working toward some kind of economical solution to this?

Thanks,

Peter.

 

[JohnleMVP]

Your not going to get a matched at resolution and pixel size/physical size.

I've seen a 30" with two 20" LCD rotated, its about the same height but the resolution is off. Thats still 2560x1600 vs 1050x1680. So again 80 pixels off, but a smaller percentage off.

Manufacturers are not making 4:3's so it doesn't look like this problem will be solved. It seems like 3 monitors of the same size will be best even if you can't fully see the outer ones. You do get matching color, brightness, etc though.

I personally like the idea of games like World in Conflict that uses the second monitor independently (detailed map) vs making the field of view larger.

 

[GeminiCool]

Hey John,

I hear what you’re saying... that's my point.

Is there a market for matched monitors? Would you like your 'map monitor' to be height matched but just not as wide?

Personally I love Supreme Commander. I'd like to have a monitor to the left and right of my main display. On the left a mini map, on the right instant messenger and teamspeak.

So is there enough of a market out there, especially with the new AMD boards, to request this type of product? If yes... then who can we speak with.

 

[brumwald]

First off, 17" are usually 5:4, not 4:3.
1280x1024 is 5:4.

Theres two setups that I know of. The 30" 16:10 with two 20" 4:3 (pivoted) monitors.

Or, one 24" 16:10 with two 21" (not 20") 4:3 monitor (not pivoted!):
http://tvcalculator.com/index.html?87912c6f7b71ceffc88a770f3e8a5dbc

So is there enough of a market out there, especially with the new AMD boards, to request this type of product? If yes... then who can we speak with.

The new AMD boards doesn't allow you to mix pivoted and non-pivoted displays, unsure if it will even work with different resolution displays (even if the vertical resolution is the same) or not.

Most people using multiple monitors are probably using the same size for all monitors (atleast if they could). Widescreens are not that well suited for this since it will get too wide and to short on the height.

I've seen a 30" with two 20" LCD rotated, its about the same height but the resolution is off. Thats still 2560x1600 vs 1050x1680. So again 80 pixels off, but a smaller percentage off..

Thats widescreen, use a 4:3 screen and you will get quite close on the height and the resolution is the same.

http://privat.bahnhof.se/wb895093/setup.jpg
Left monitor is a 4:3 (pivoted) 20" 1600x1200, and the right monitor is a 16:10 (pivoted) 20" 1680x1050 and the center is a 30" 2560x1600, try to look at the panel and not the bezel to better see the difference (the monitors should have been turned on for this).

 

[GeminiCool]

Hey brumwald,

Thanks for the reply. I was aware of the technical 5:4 vs 4:3. Like I said, I made a quick spreadsheet and used the resolution to compute aspect ratio. I also calculated relative pixel size and accumulated error as I tried to match resolutions which were close. The link you posted was cute though. Problem is actually finding screens that 'fit' together.

I was not aware of the limitations in eyefinity. I would hope this limitation can be overcome through driver development. Your point about screens become too wide is exactly what I said in the beginning, so I agree.

.... So is there any interest in a matched LCD setup? Any word on when/if eyefinity will support separate monitor resolutions?

(the second link was pretty nice!)