Problems using ext. 16:10 monitor with a 4:3 main display

[Troels]

Hi!

Merry Christmas!

This has been bugging me for a very long time. i don't know if it's OS, Flash or Youtube related, but here goes:

My thinkpad is a T60p with a 4:3 aspect ratio screen, connected to an external display by DVI through the advanced dock. The external display is 16:10 ratio 1920x1200 monitor (NEC LCD2490WUXi). I'm using Windows XP, but seriously considering an upgrade to Windows 7 Professional.

The problem...
Take this an example, if you want to compare: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f-MYl-HzNw

On the laptop screen, obviously black bars are shown above and below the image, since the video content is 16:9 shown on a 4:3 screen.
When I drag the browser window to the external 16:10 monitor (acting as extended desktop) and play it in full screen, it acts as if it thinks the external screen is also 4:3. Black bars appear below and above the content, but even larger black bars appear to the left and right of the video content.
Playing back movies in VLC media player or Windows Media Player is no problem on the external monitor - no black bars on the right or left side.

Where is the problem at? Can this be solved somehow - with an upgrade to Win 7? Is anyone else experiencing the same?

[ausmike]

Hi Tro*...
what you wrote is >instresting< .... as I have TWO T60P;s (2007 & 2008 models)
both are 4:3 screens - When I connect MINE to a Tosb(32SL400U) and or the LG (55LE8500) Both laptops = Displayport -> Hdmi connections
I never get what you getting!!!!

Hoever I did see couple of Movie files (*.MKV files) that did give me those "bars" you mentioned. I than have to use "fit screen" from the TV Menu , works nicely - it even maintains the 'aspect ratio' ie - I dont get to see 'unusually longer legs' etc that one often seens when ' digital strectch to FIT SCREEN' is often used !

I would guess = Dock and or TV settings......

Cheers

[dr_st]

When I drag the browser window to the external 16:10 monitor (acting as extended desktop) and play it in full screen, it acts as if it thinks the external screen is also 4:3. Black bars appear below and above the content, but even larger black bars appear to the left and right of the video content.
Playing back movies in VLC media player or Windows Media Player is no problem on the external monitor - no black bars on the right or left side.

So your problem, as I understand, is related only to playing browser-embedded flash?

[kaczart]

I'm T60p user with matrix 4:3 (1400x1050, ATI FireGL v5250). I have no problems with my 16:10 DELL U2410 1920x1200 - i'm connecting it due VGA port. Win7 pro, greetings.

[Troels]

So your problem, as I understand, is related only to playing browser-embedded flash?

Hmm, i thought that would be a definite "yes" until 5 minutes ago... Youtube doesn't work, but Vimeo does.

Youtube:
http://users.telenor.dk/~dsl35822/youtube_int.jpg
http://users.telenor.dk/~dsl35822/youtube_ext.jpg

Vimeo:
http://users.telenor.dk/~dsl35822/vimeo_int.jpg
http://users.telenor.dk/~dsl35822/vimeo_ext.jpg

kaczart, do you know what version of Flash you are using?

Ausmike, are you using a dock with a PCI-E video card - since you mention you connect the laptops using displayport? Are you using XP, Vista or 7 ?

Cheers,
Troels

[dr_st]

I have a setup similar to yours, although the external monitor is 22" wide, not 24" wide... I'll try tonight and tell you how it looks. If you don't see my reply within 24 hours, please remind me.

[kaczart]

kaczart, do you know what version of Flash you are using?

2.25
(79ETE5WW-2-25_79uj32u)

[Troels]

Thanks dr_st, much appreciated

kaczart - took me a while to figure out what that meant, but that appears to be the BIOS revision.
Try this link: http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/155/tn_15507.html - what version does it detect under "Your player version:" ?

[ausmike]

Tro*
No docks and DUAL BOOT(win7x64+Redhat Linux wkstn)
Allmost Always Use -VLC Player to play/stream/broadcast media etc files
-AFAIK and IMHO = the vlc = BEST MEDIA player+ Streamer etc AND only one that has both windows+linux codec etc etc
-works for me > never have had any issues
I even tried an 'torrent file latest downloads for an OLD MOVIE - worked nicely > even in the B&W version movie I got! (tired to kinda duplicate your issue Tro*) ,, so not sure what might your issue; sorry

Good luck and cheers

[dr_st]

The same thing happens to me on my T60 with XP. Checked with both T60s and both widescreen monitors I own (WSXGA+ and WUXGA).

It seems that Youtube's full screen module seems to stretch to the full screen ratio of the primary monitor, regardless of which monitor it is viewed on. Or maybe it has to do with the resolution rather than the actual ratio...

When the widescreen monitor is used as primary and Thinkpad LCD as secondary, the video plays fine without black bars on the side.

Edit: Could not reproduce on my T410 with Windows 7. So there you go.

[Anniemoose98]

The same thing happens to me on my T60 with XP. Checked with both T60s and both widescreen monitors I own (WSXGA+ and WUXGA).

It seems that Youtube's full screen module seems to stretch to the full screen ratio of the primary monitor, regardless of which monitor it is viewed on. Or maybe it has to do with the resolution rather than the actual ratio...

When the widescreen monitor is used as primary and Thinkpad LCD as secondary, the video plays fine without black bars on the side.

Edit: Could not reproduce on my T410 with Windows 7. So there you go.

The problem with the T410 test is that it IS 16:10, so it should have no problem. Maybe Seven DOES fix it, but it isn't a fair test until you test it with Windows Seven on a 4:3 screen.

[dr_st]

The problem with the T410 test is that it IS 16:10, so it should have no problem. Maybe Seven DOES fix it, but it isn't a fair test until you test it with Windows Seven on a 4:3 screen.

My T410 is connected to a pair of 5:4 screens. I tested with one of them as a primary and the T410 LCD as secondary, in a various combinations of resolutions.

[Troels]

Thanks very much for testing this dr_st. Maybe Windows 7 contains a fix for this issue.

I found a couple more people having the same issues:
http://www.google.co.uk/support/forum/p ... 0c98&hl=en
and
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/y ... e680&hl=en
(notice the "related discussions" on the right).

This is apparently a known "bug", but no solutions, except swapping the monitor order.

Ausmike, i agree VLC is the best, and is also multi-platform. Works fine for me... it's only the darn youtube flash-based player that doesn't seem to

[kaczart]

kaczart - took me a while to figure out what that meant, but that appears to be the BIOS revision.
Try this link: http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/155/tn_15507.html - what version does it detect under "Your player version:" ?

I'm sorry, i misunderstood you.. i have WIN 10,1,85,3 flash player

i have one more idea, try "UltraMon" software (30day trial)