Question : Problem: Newbie needs help on new widescreen LCD monitor-Samsung 226bw

Newbie needs help on new widescreen LCD monitor-Samsung 226bw

After much deliberation and reading I bought a Samsung 226BW LCD 22inch widescreen monitor. I had a 20 inch CRT previously. Set up analog for now but may switch to DVI in future when I upgrade old Nvidia GeForce 256mb 6800 card to something else.


I am a noob at monitors but pretty good at other computer stuff. Have Win XP Home, E6600 CPU, 3gb Memory, old Nvidia GEforce 6800 256 mb video card.

Appreciate your help. Note the below regarding my PC use:
-am not a gamer but do have Going Postal 2 game (not high res)
-have a compact digital camera but not a photo printer and occasionally use Adobe Elements
-mostly use PC for business, email web surfing
-will not watch DVD's on PC or set up as a TV tuner


Loaded driver for Samsung monitor and changed Hertz refresh rate to 60hz. Am running at a pretty large resolution of 1024x768 due to my eyes.
Loaded Magic-tune software but not sure I need it.

****Questions********
1. Do I need MagicTune software as it takes up memory?
What is advantage? I could disable the service I suppose?

2. Since I had a CRT (square), and not used to widescreen, I assume I must size windows to my own desires so as perhaps not fill entire 22 inch widescreen with IE or Word, etc..?

3. I recall seeing on other PC's that when you had a WideScreen monitor that in the Setting/Properties box that as you changed the resolution that it showed a monitor get bigger and smaller. I am missing this-is this due to perhaps being on Win XP or my Video Card?


4. What is best way to calibrate?


5. Any good desktop backgrounds that are optimized for wide screen other than the Win XP ones? I like Autumn on the CRT but on Widescreen it is blurry since it has to be stretched.

6. Should I enable Cleartype Tuning in Windows XP?


Thanks,
I know your answers will help other dopes who finally upgraded to an LCD.
Peter

______________

Why did I choose this monitor over perhaps other Samsung monitors (226CW or 2232BW) that may be newer or not suffer from multiple panel manufacturers:
http://www.digitalversus.com/duels.php?ty=6&ma1=36&mo1=224&p1=2104&ma2=36&mo2=265&p2=2507&ph=1

Answer : Problem: Newbie needs help on new widescreen LCD monitor-Samsung 226bw

1) MagicTune is designed to optimize all of your monitor settings through a graphical user interface. It might be worth installing to make it easy for you to configure how you like. The program will not take up additional memory, just a little hard drive space. Just be sure to disable any background monitoring app's that it might install.

2) You will only need to resize windows to how you prefer. The fullscreen window mode will cover the widescreen entirely.

3) The settings tab under display properties will allow you to adjust your resolution. If you don't see the monitor size graphic, check to make sure the proper display adapter is selected and that you assign the primary monitor the correct designation (1 or 2).

4) By calibrate I assume you mean to adjust resolution and refresh rate and such? As mentioned previously, it may work best to use the Magictune software that came with the monitor, unless you know how to change all the settings manually.

5) There are thousands of widescreen backgrounds available. Try www.digitalblasphemy.com for a nice selection.

6) You won't see the advantage of ClearType Tuning unless you implement a digital interface (which I recommend). I think it would benefit you as you mentioned vision issues, as it smooths fonts and may offer you a better visual experience. But as you mentioned, if your graphics card doesn't support DVI this may have to wait until an upgrade can be performed.

Best of luck!