New Monitor is Blurry

I just got a Samsung SyncMaster 712N (17" LCD flat panel) and I can't fix the focus to save my life. On the flat panel itself, there are buttons that are for adjusting this...there's even an Auto Fix...but it doesn't correct the problem either. I've been using my Nvidia software, but that's mostly for color/brightness/contrast correction. Does anyone know what I could do for this? My eyes are going to commit suicide. Windows XP Home. Settings say "Medium (16 bit) and 1024 by 768 pixels. Thanks so much, Stephanie

 

Wanted to add that I changed to 1280 by 1024 pixels and it's a lot better, but I don't know if I want to live with such small ... everything! And, something that is dicouraging with my brand new monitor, is that it's uneven in it's correction. when I use "sharpen" it sharpens in some areas and not in others and same with other functions. one side of the screen looks better and the other doesn't...or the middle looks good and the outsides look bad. Do I have a faulty computer or have I not found the correct settings?

 

I had the same problem with my new Sony flat panel and I found a solution on another forum. Try the following and see if it helps: Go to Control Panel/Display/Appearance/ then click on effects. Then check the box for "use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts". In the drop down box choose "ClearType".

This made a huge improvement for me. Good luck!

 

Hey, thanks for the advice. I did that, it was a small improvement, but not enough that it's in focus, still.

 

Hmm.

LCD screens in themselves shouldnt go blurry. Its almost physically impossible when using a digital signal. Are you using a standard VGA connector (looks like a serial plug), or a DVI connector (long with square looking pins)? If you're not using a DVI connector I suggest you do, because you get superior picture quality from it, and its less prone to blurring.

 

Yes, I do have 32bit(Highest) and will play with all of these wonderful suggestions when I can. Unfortunately, I'm not at that desk for a couple of days...so hang tight and I'll tell you the outcome! Thanks, Stephanie

 

I'm using a VGA - is the DVI completely necessary and how much is it?? Thanks! Stephanie

 

Okay that makes sense.

DVI is specifically intended for digital displays : most LCD screens are digital, and the reason DVI works better is because they don't "scan" like a CRT screen does. With DVI you are giving it a signal that it doesnt need to convert to a digital format, which is where you can lose quality.

If your graphics card/monitor has the plug, you should use it, but if it doesn't then its no big problem. If you do have those connectors, I suggest you use them If your screen doesnt have a DVI lead then never mind.

 

Steph, Can you try the Monitor on another PC, or alternatively try another, same model if possible, Monitor on your PC? This should zero in on whether it is the hardware/software in your PC, or maybe the Monitor. Swopping bits sometimes helps, otherwise try the expert advice posted earlier. Bazza

 

Are you using Earthlink dialup and their accellerator?


If so, right click on the Earthlink icon in your system tray at the bottom of the screen (where the clock is). Choose Earthlink Accellerator from the pick list. Choose Options. The page that opens has a couple of clickable tabs. Click on Graphics & Ads. There's a slider bar that you can drag from high image accelleration to low. Move it to low.

Accellerator is a great program for speeding up text loading, but graphics can't keep up and they will be grainy (or worse). By moving the slider to low, your graphics and icons will be load perfectly, but you'll lose a little accelleration speed.

Also, if you happen to be on a page that's unclear, right click and then choose "refresh page with full quality." see if that helps.

Good luck

 

Thanks everyone who gave me advice. First off, no, I don't have Earthlink Accellerator, but I appreciate your thought. And secondly, I did all of the downloads and tweaks that were suggested and according to ClearType Power Tuner Toy, my native setting is 1280 X 1024 (highest)...so I'll just have to live with everything smaller. The odd thing is that things were far blurrier with ClearType ON...so I have it off for now and though it'll take some getting used to, at least it's not blurry. Stephanie

 

Hi SR what you haven't mentioned is, that, was there an instaltion disc that came with the screen ... just a thought. as mine did a ''Neovo'' F-417

 

Yes, it did come with a CD. I installed the Windows XP driver, and their software and it's still blurry. It's a lot better in the native resolution, but I'm still having problems with my eyes as it's blurry enough to give me headaches. I've googled my monitor (Samsung SyncMaster 712n) and a lot of people seem to have these problems...yet most of them were able to fix it with resolution settings. I increased my refresh rate to 72mhz, but the sites say to make it 75mhz (which says isn't supported with this monitor and if I choose it, it may cause hardware damage). I chose it anyway just to see if it would help, but it really didn't make a difference, so I'm just keeping it on 72. I'm thinking about taking it back, but I already threw the box away cause I thought this would be fixable. Will look into it.

Thanks, Stephanie

 

Hi again .. Here in the UK we have all sorts of laws that protect the buyer and if a product does not specifically perform as advertised the purchaser will be reimbursed.. So I would be looking at returning it and , No Box,, so what thats only packaging its the reciept that is proof of purchase.. Good Luck