1703FP Ultrasharp

Question

Hello. I just received my new Dell 4600 today and am enjoying it! Everything seems to be working fine so far and it was a breeze to set up, however, I am concerned about the picture quality on my 1703FP U/S. On some web pages I am noticing breaks in some of the words/fonts. I did nothing to my monitor except set it up as per instructions. I can read everything fine and the color seems okay. It is mainly the text that just does not look right on all words and isn't as bright as it could be or was on my old crt..ie:it looks kind of faded.  Hard to explain but I hope someone here knows what I am speaking of and can offer advice. I hate to mess around with the settings and make things worse. Maybe this is the way Lcds are supposed to look. I never had or used one before so all this is new for me.  Thanks!

robnalex · Answer

nucleusgirl-

Something's not right. Your display should be bright and crisp and clear. Can you provide more information so we can better help you? Are you using analog (blue) or DVI (white) cable connection?

Here are the settings I'm using for my 1901FP:

1. Use the 'native' resolution for the monitor (1280 x 1024).

2. Display properties-Appearance Tab: Font size: large fonts.

3. Display properties-Appearance Tab-Effects: Clear the box for 'Use the following transition effects.....' Check the box for 'Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts. Select 'ClearType'.

4. Display properties-Settings Tab-select Advanced-General Tab. Dpi Settings: Mine are set to 130% normal size (125 dpi).

5. Use the Windows ClearType Tuner, found here: http://www.microsoft.com/typography/cleartype/tuner/1.htm

I hope this helps!

Message Edited by robnalex on 01-30-2004 08:58 PM

nucleusgirl · Answer

Thanks so much Rob! I followed your steps and everything looks much better now...great in fact! The only question I still have is about step 5. that you posted. I didn't do this because I don't undertsand what it is. What is a clear type tuner? Thanks again!

5. Use the Windows ClearType Tuner, found here: http://www.microsoft.com/typography/cleartype/tuner/1.htm

nucleusgirl · Answer

Man I feel so dumb asking all these questions but now I am having more probs with font size.  The font size I am viewing and typing now on this board is large and bold enough but when I go to my homepage..msn.com then all the fonts are really small again?  Also just noticed now right as I am typing this that some of the coloring on the letters is fading and some is bold..what the heck is going on??!!! It was fine before when I made my last post to you and I haven't changed anything. Could that be what they call ghosting or is that something different?  I am so confused. It is almost like when I type a word, some of the letters are dark black like they should be and some are lighter almost like a light blue! Maybe it is my eyes but I really don't thinks so.

nucleusgirl · Answer

Hi Rob and thanks. That was actually going to be my next question...which of the two cables am I supposed to use, the blue or the white dvi one? The instructions say to only use one or the other. I have the blue one connected. I have the integrated extreme graphics 2. Thank you.

robnalex · Answer

nucleusgirl-

The cleartype tuner is a windows tweak that adjusts the way text appears. Click on this link and follow the instructions. It will first ask you if you want to install ClearType Tuner. Select 'yes'.

http://www.microsoft.com/typography/cleartype/tuner/1.htm

What you're describing about the text as you type does not sound good. This should not be happening. First, if your video card has a DVI jack for the white cable, you should switch cables. You will get a better overall display quality with the digital connection. Power off the monitor before you switch the cables (you are right, only one connected at a time). When you turn the monitor back on you will have to switch the monitor from analog to digital by pressing one of the buttons on the front of the monitor. On my 1901FP it's the middle button.

ADDENDUM: I just re-read your earlier post about the integrated video. You may not have a DVI digital interface. If this is the case you will have to stick with the blue analog connection.

If you are still having the same problems with the digital connection you may want to call Dell technical support (it's a joke, but you have to play the game) and do some troubleshooting. If they cannot resolve the problem you should insist that they send you a new monitor.

If you have another computer available (like your old one) you could try connecting the monitor to it (probably will have to be the blue analog cable) and see if you have the same problems. If you do you will know that the problem is with the monitor. if you don't it may mean that there is a problem with your video card.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

Rob

Message Edited by robnalex on 01-30-2004 10:32 PM

nucleusgirl · Answer

Thank you Rob. Everything is reading fine. It is only when I type it that it looks kind of faded/broken and not very much at all. I think it is normal. Thanks for clearing that up about the link. You have been a huge help to me and I really appreciate it!

robnalex · Answer

@nucleusgirl wrote:
Thank you Rob. Everything is reading fine. It is only when I type it that it looks kind of faded/broken and not very much at all. I think it is normal. Thanks for clearing that up about the link. You have been a huge help to me and I really appreciate it!

I can't be sure about what you're describing without seeing it, but it doesn't sound 'normal' to me. As I'm typing this the text on screen is bold, crisp and clear.

Rob

nucleusgirl · Answer

Hi again Rob. I have never used an lcd monitor in my life so I am not really even sure how it is supposed to look to be perfectly honest! Thank you for all the help as I really appreciate it!

Beatrice57 · Answer

Hi robnalex - I bit the bullet and got a 1703FP - to go along with my nice quiet replacement 4600. I plugged it into the DVI input and used the ClearType, as you suggested, (looks great) but do you know how I can turn down the brightness if I'm running in digital? By the way, your settings look great !!!

Thanks for any information!

robnalex · Answer

Hello, Beatrice57-

I'm pretty sure that the front panel controls for the 1703FP are the same as for my 1901FP. Press the left button to access the menu. Use the middle button to select 'brightness'. Contrast, however is not adjustable with a DVI connection.

Congratulations on your new toys!

Rob

Beatrice57 · Answer

Thanks - that worked - I tried that before but didn't realize I had to go waaaayyyyy down (25% or less) to see a difference. One thing I did notice is after I set the brightness I hear a faint loud pitch noise from the monitor - not nearly as bad as previous hard drives I went through but ... Do you know anything about this?

Thanks again for your help. This monitor is great.

robnalex · Answer

Beatrice57-

There have been posts here on the forum about high pitched noise from LCD monitors. You might want to do a search for 'monitor noise' and see what you can find. If you find the noise, or anything else objectionable I would send it back while you still can. For the record, my 1901FP is completely silent.

Rob

Monitors

1703FP Ultrasharp

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