Poor external monitor quality

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nikemen · #1 Post by **nikemen** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:12 pm

So, I have just hooked up my X61 XGA to my trust 19" viewsonic montor. Initially, I just let it run the pnp generic profile, but what I am getting now is just a very DRAB picture.

I have found the screen quality of the X61 tablet to be a bit drab to begin with, but that is with the touchscreen, layers of protection, etc. But now, even plugged in, whites look a bit grey, colors are low, I have the feeling I need to up the brightness on the external monitor, but why would that be the case?

Is there something that VISTA does, to tone down colors and support? I pretty much though that BOOM, I would have a really nice desktop going, but what I have is just a larger drab external monitor, with a bit more real estate.

SHoTTa35 · #2 Post by **SHoTTa35** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:17 pm

use DVI and send a digital picture. Only some monitors have good reproduction in VGA mode... they skimp on this since it's analog. Check out DVI if your monitor has that and you'll see super sharp pictures then.

nikemen · #3 Post by **nikemen** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:25 pm

I would do, but the X61 models, and bases don't pass DVI. My other computers seem to do much nice with the VGA in. I don't see any way to do DVI, even though the external monitor does support it.

SHoTTa35 · #4 Post by **SHoTTa35** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:38 pm

the media slice doesn't have DVI but the port replicators and docks should.

nikemen · #5 Post by **nikemen** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:41 pm

for an x61 tablet?

Anyone?

qviri · #6 Post by **qviri** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 3:09 pm

None of X series machines to date support DVI in any way.

Puppy · #7 Post by **Puppy** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:00 pm

There is no solution. Analog VGA signal is getting "distorted" by low-quality signal output filters on motherboard. That's what most VGA graphics cards (expecially game-oriented) sufferes from as well. Except Matrox which uses proper design of this filter to ensure high quality signal. Basically the ouput has enough quality for an XGA projector, nothing more. Lack of DVI support (together with ultra-low-res displays) is the most significant drawback of X series. You might try to get better (read: more expensive) VGA cable but don't expect miracles. Also try to change refresh rate between 60 Hz and 90 Hz whether it makes any difference.

nikemen · #8 Post by **nikemen** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:31 pm

man, I wonder why this would be so much worse than my 3 yr old T41 on VGA, darker?

pibach · #9 Post by **pibach** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 6:27 pm

you could try lowering refresh rate. That reduces bandwidth and might get a sharper image.

nikemen · #10 Post by **nikemen** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 6:42 pm

im currently at 60, I don't think it goes lower.

pibach · #11 Post by **pibach** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 7:11 pm

So what is your resolution? VGA out on the x61t should be sharp up to 1600x1050 on 60Hz.

Edit: I see you even get drab quality natively on the TFT. Then there seems to be something wrong in your color table settings. My tablet screen (SXGA+) produces wonderful and saturated colors. Easily the best I have seen on any laptop screen. Did you do a clean install? You might need to reinstall the factory color settings then.

nikemen · #12 Post by **nikemen** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 7:18 pm

I do get some poor drab quality on the tablet, XGA, the SXGA does seem to have better screen quality, but not TOO much. But, I find it odd that the screen quality output to my external essentially mirrors the tablet screen. That is just wierd.

How would one re-install the color settings from standard. I have not done a clean install, yet.

mhaltrecht · #13 Post by **mhaltrecht** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:12 pm

How do you arrive at "1600x1050" as the max sharp resolution for an external VGA monitor? This is key before I got myself one!

db999md · #14 Post by **db999md** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 11:40 pm

I have an x61s and I notice the same problem
I have a dell 19" analog LCD in my office and when connected to a dell optiplex 745 the screen is sharp and crisp, but when connected to the x61s in the docking station it looks washed out.

It appears that the display is improved somewhat when I disable the thinkpad LCD i.e. run it external only. I usually keep both displays on.

I have not tried it thru the puter direcly, i.e. not thru the dock yet

-dennis

Poor external monitor quality

Poor external monitor quality

would do

MAN

yes

i have the same problem

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