Chris Dix,

The XT2 only has VGA out? So how are you connecting DVI? Through some VGA to DVI adapter? Are you using the DVI-D Dual Link cable that shipped with the U2713HM? The monitor VGA should be able to do 2048x1152 yet you are only getting 1920x1200 so even that points to a GPU restriction from the laptop.

Sorry that I didn't mention that I am using the Dell Media Base with the XT2 laptop. This provides the required DVI connection. I used the DVI cable that was supplied with the U2713HM monitor. We also tried the DVI cable that the other monitor was connected with to see if it was a cable isuue. No difference.

You are correct that I can get 2048 x 1152 with the VGA cable connection. I wasn't looking for that resolution so I didn't check if the laptop would do it. I verified that I can get 2048 x 1152 with the VGA connection. The laptop and monitor will both give me 2048 x 1152, if wanted, but only on the VGA connection.

Seems like an issue with the DVI connection on the monitor. Since the DVI connection to the Samsung works, it doesn't seem to be an issue with the DVI port on the Media Base.

Any other help would be appreciated.

Currently have 3 laptops at home and a desktop that does not have a discrete video card. Attached are photos of the cable provided.

Please post a picture of the end of the DVI-D DL cable we shipped in the U2713HM box. Is there a desktop PC with a discrete video card with DVI on it to connect the U2713HM DVI --> our DVI-D DL cable --> Desktop PC DVI to see what the highest resolution you can get?

The U2713HM has a 16:9 aspect ratio. 1920x1200 is a resolution provided by a 16:10 aspect ratio monitor like the Dell 2709 and the Samsung. A monitor with a 16:9 aspect ratio does not utilize the resolution 1920x1200 in its monitor EDID. The next best resolution it can do with your setup is 1680x1050. So the replacement U2713HM will have the same issue. Does the Dell Media Base have a DP (DisplayPort) on it? Can you take a picture of the available ports on the Dell Media Base? What is the Dell 5 digit part number of that Dell Media Base?

Chris,

I didn't have a chance to get a photo of my actual base, but attached is a snip from the Dell website. The media base does not have a DP connection, only VGA and DVI.

I believe that 1680x1050 is also a 16:10 aspect ratio.

16/10=1.6 -- 1680/1050=1.6 -- 1920/1200=1.6

16/9=1.78 -- 2048/1152=1.78 -- 2560/1440=1.78

So I can get a 16:9 aspect on VGA at 2048 x 1152 and a 16:10 aspect at 1680 x 1050 on DVI? Is that correct? Seems odd that the VGA connection would allow a different aspect ratio.

I appreciate your help with this as the 7 or 8 tech support reps I spoke to didn't know about this.

Does Dell currently offer a 27" monitor that would allow a DVI connection with a resolution of 1920 X 1200 in 16:10 aspect?

"So I can get a 16:9 aspect on VGA at 2048 x 1152 and a 16:10 aspect at 1680 x 1050 on DVI? Is that correct?"

That appears to be correct.

"Does Dell currently offer a 27" monitor that would allow a DVI connection with a resolution of 1920 X 1200 in 16:10 aspect?"

* We do not.

Chris,

I received the replacement monitor and it has the does same resolution as the original monitor. I tried both DVI and VGA using the new cables, old cables and my original cables.

It surprises me that the VGA connection will allow a higher resolution than the DVI connection. Is the limited resolution caused by the XT2 or the U2713HM? If it is the XT2, how does it allow 1920x1200 on other monitors?

I really appreciate your help as I really like the monitor, but need to use the crisper DVI connection for the higher resolution.

Thanks,

Chris

Am I correct to say that the Single Link DVI with the U2713HM and the Dell Media Base only supports a maximum resolution of 1650x1050?

The U213HM VGA should max at 2048x1152. The DVI should max at 2560x1440. But your Dell dock only supports Single Link DVI, not Dual Link DVI. The 2709W maxes at 1920x1200 on its Single Link DVI. So the laptop may do 2560x1440 but the dock will not.