Opinions on 1280x1024 resolution

[skipparoo]

What a shame every last thread had to be removed and a new forum had to be created. In ways this can be beneficial, but in others it is unfortunate that we cannot go back and refer to old threads.

Anyways, I wanted to start off with my opinion on the resolution of 1280x1024. I do not understand why a lot of people like to use this resolution. This resolution is at an incorrect ratio, as opposed to 1280x960, so as a result the picture is slightly distorted.

Most OpenGL applications seem to utilize this resolution instead of 1280x960, which is just wrong. I guess there is no real problems with running a slightly distorted image, and most of the time it's probably not noticeable to the average user, but the fact is it is a resolution at an incorrect ratio, and in my opinion shouldn't even exist.

Peace to everyone, and enjoy the new forums!

-Skippy

[Kruno]

It's distorted? Come over to my house and I'll show you quality with 1280x1024. In games and desktop it looks schweet on my monitor.

[skipparoo]

It sure is. But remember, it's not like the picture is so distorted that you cannot read text or what not. It's just mathematically incorrect to use that kind of resolution. The easiest way I can show you this is simple. Take 640x480 as your base resolution (you could even use 320x240), multiply both numbers by two and you get 1280x960, not 1280x1024. This is what I am referring to when I say that the ratio of the resolution is incorrect. I just wanted to post this information to see if everyone who used 1280x1024 was aware of it.

-Skippy

[Kruno]

Mathamatically you can take the square root of a negative number and get a imaginary number that you can't work with.
Mathametically it's incorrect to take the square root of a negative number but maths specialist people still do it.

[SsP45]

Originally posted by skipparoo
It sure is. But remember, it's not like the picture is so distorted that you cannot read text or what not. It's just mathematically incorrect to use that kind of resolution. The easiest way I can show you this is simple. Take 640x480 as your base resolution (you could even use 320x240), multiply both numbers by two and you get 1280x960, not 1280x1024. This is what I am referring to when I say that the ratio of the resolution is incorrect. I just wanted to post this information to see if everyone who used 1280x1024 was aware of it.

-Skippy

I still don't understand why you are making such a big deal out of it. It's just a resolution. I personally prefer 1280x1024 over 1280x960. I find that, at least on my monitor, 1280x960 looks a bit weird. It is possible that I have be desensitized to 1280x1024, but I still prefer it over 1280x960.

[skipparoo]

Well that's all very well, mathematics is complicated in that fashion, but when it comes to resolutions, square roots don't apply :P All I'm saying is, knowing that this is true, do you really want to still play games in a resolution that stretches the picture slightly? I have found it distracting at times, like when you switch back and forth between the two and compare, the differences are more apparent. I mean, what is it with 1280x1024? Is it the fact that both the width and length of the screen have exceeded 1000 pixels with this resolution that intrigues people? Not a concern for me..

-Skippy

[skipparoo]

Originally posted by SsP45
I still don't understand why you are making such a big deal out of it. It's just a resolution. I personally prefer 1280x1024 over 1280x960. I find that, at least on my monitor, 1280x960 looks a bit weird. It is possible that I have be desensitized to 1280x1024, but I still prefer it over 1280x960.

It's not a big deal, not at all. But from what you just said you have no real reason why you like to use 1280x1024. Exactly as you said, you've probably just been conditioned to prefer it over 1280x960. I'm simply stating that this resolution should not exist, and started this thread to inform people who may not know that the resolution is in an incorrect ratio.

-Skippy

[Kruno]

There have been like 50 threads about this in the past lolz. Sure it may not be a "correct" ratio but if it looks good use it. I have something like 50 custom resolutions all incorrect ratios. Some look scruffy and others look miraculous. It really depends on ones taste. I don't think many people care ifit's an incorrect ratio. They use it because it may look good. I just switched my res to 1280x960. I really can't say it looks bad though. Comparing the 2 I have no idea which one I like best. In games 1280x960 for a bit more frame rate and refresh rate.

[skipparoo]

Well then don't go by what you "think" looks best, go by what you "know" is right. You said there's no apparent difference between the two resolutions in terms of image quality, because there is no difference, none whatsoever. The only difference is size, and one is right, one is wrong. But now that you know this, you're still going to use 1280x1024, aren't you? Why, because it looks better? Nope, because you're used to it, that's all, or because everyone else likes to use it. But it's wrong, the whole world has got it all wrong! Hahaha :P

-Skippy

[Kruno]

Same reason can be said about 1280x960. I use whatever looks best (IMHO) and always have. Actually I'm still using 1280x960 currently. Some games coupled with 2x AA do look better with 1280x1024 than using same settings and 1280x960. Again others might think different. I like most games at 640x480 believe it or not. Sometimes even a positive LOD I use. I like QAA on my G3 becuase of the filtering it has. (some ppl call it blur ) Again my preferences.

BTW I go on what looks best. What looks right is what looks best in terms of screen resolution (IMHO). So that leaves your statement contradictive to mine.

[saturnotaku]

If I have the option to select 1280x960 I'll take it as my monitor does 85 Hz at that rate as opposed to 75 at 1280x1024. In Quake 3 (and Quake 3 only) if I pick 1280x1024 the picture is distorted. Any other game I run at that resolution works just fine. Not a big deal because I'll do Q3A at 1600x1200 anyway, hehe.

[SsP45]

Originally posted by skipparoo
Well then don't go by what you "think" looks best, go by what you "know" is right. You said there's no apparent difference between the two resolutions in terms of image quality, because there is no difference, none whatsoever. The only difference is size, and one is right, one is wrong. But now that you know this, you're still going to use 1280x1024, aren't you? Why, because it looks better? Nope, because you're used to it, that's all, or because everyone else likes to use it. But it's wrong, the whole world has got it all wrong! Hahaha :P

-Skippy

Just because something isn't using a 4:3 ratio doesn't make it wrong. I use the larger resolution, 1280x1024, because my monitor does the same 85Hz refresh rate at either. I would rather have more desktop space than a smaller one.