T42P + external 19" LCD = bad image quality :-/

[mtbiac]

I tried hooking one of my BenQ FP951 19" LCDs to my T42p GVU with the VGA cable, and while the quality is decent, it is definitely Much "fuzzier" and overall less clear than when I have it hooked upto my desktop. Is there any way to fix this or is that just the way it works? The LCDs also have DVI ports so I was thinking about buying a port replicator and using the DVI port, but would the image quality be Significantly better? I tried adjusting all of the settings, but only got it alittle better. I also tried the auto adjust, same deal.

I'm currently running one of the LCDs via the DVI input on my video card on desktop, and the other via the standard VGA input, and they both look great. I'm confused as to why they dont on the thinkpad

hopefully there is some small setting that I am overlooking which will rectify the situation.

thanks for the help

[G-Man]

Yes, you will get much better image quality trough the DVI port, but you are limited to 1600x1200 resolution with a hacked ATI driver (with IBM ATI driver the max resolution is 1280x1024). Check our FAQ for more info.

Regards,
G-Man

[stgreek]

LCDs only show proper image quality when they are at their native resolution. Maybe you are working at your TP resolution instead of your monitor's native one (esp. if it is 1280x1024 which is not 4:3)

[mtbiac]

hmm, you're right, I was running it at 1280x1024 (native/highest res. of my 19" LCD). I have a 14" SXGA+. what should I do? IIRC, I tried other resolutions but they all equally sucked...

thanks.

[Kludgey]

G-Man,

Just a FYI. Using the Omega drivers I have my thinkpad running at
1920x1200 via the DVI connector. I'm using a DVI to ADC box to
drive the Apple HD Cinema screen and it's real nice.

Kludgey.

[G-Man]

Thanks, good to know.

Regards,
G-Man

[mtbiac]

i heard there is a tweak/hack/patch to make the VGA port on the T42 think its DVI - resulting in better image quality? this true? I have a DVI -> VGA converter, so this may be an option heh

thanks

[mtbiac]

any other ideas to get better image quality on an external LCD using the standard VGA port? I really dont wanna buy a docking station just for the DVI port....

thanks