I have a PC with an NVidia GeForce 7800GT GPU and a Viewsonic 19" 16:10 monitor. I like the widescreen monitor, but I don't like playing my old games that don't support a widescreen format on it because they stretch horizontally and distort the image somewhat. My question is this: Is there any method known that will allow me to force my widescreen monitor to use a standard fullscreen resolution like 1024x768 without any stretching? I don't mind if I have black letterbox bars on the sides. I just want to be able to play Command & Conquer: The First Decade without everything being stretched sideways!
A lot of games have hacks that let you run them in widescreen resolutions. Usually it just involves changing some settings in a .ini file. You should also have a setting somewhere in your graphics utility that can stop the stretching. I have an ATI, not an NVidia, so I don't know exactly where it would be. Look for something like image scaling under your monitor properties.
I always thought they should make widescreen TVs and monitors that collapse, like how the screens at some theaters widen out when the feature starts.
Much like theatres, what is to stop you just putting curtains in front of your tv to open to the required size? As for the original question, I'm sure there is some application floating around to allow you to do it. I have a 7800 as well and the default NVidia control panel doesn't have the option as far as I know. It's unlikely with a 19" monitor, but have you looked if it has an option to not scale the video input? Some monitors will allow the option to just play a signal in whatever resolution it is sent without stretching it to fill the screen. edit: A quick hit of google seems to suggest this option is now available in the NVidia drivers. I'd have a look in the video settings.
Yep, I tried. Apparently you are supposed to set your screen resolution to a fullscreen resolution like 1024x768 and then set the pixel scaling appropriately. Problem is my monitor doesn't play ball well. Researching the issue online, it seems everyone with NVidia cards and Viewsonic monitors have the same problem.
Can you just set the games to run in windowed mode and switch to a black background? It wouldn't be perfect but it would do the job.
1. I don't know exactly how to run Command & Conquer Generals: Zero Hour in Windowed Mode. 2. I heard somewhere that Windowed Mode is a lot more resource demanding than Fullscreen Mode 3. If #2 is false, and I could find a way to overcome #1, then this would be an acceptable solution.
I would laugh hysterically if I went to someone's house and they had curtains on their widescreen monitor.
Most games the res can be changed by editing an ini fil or a reg entry. Make suer the game folder is showing hidden files and look for all .ini files. failing that check the games registry settings
I haven't had an nvidia video card since geforce 2 so I dunno where the option for this in the nvidia control panel is... but with ATI you can enable black bars on your monitor for non-native resolution (And achieve 1-1 pixel accuracy). Look for something in display properties of your graphics control panel. There should be an option to pick either "scale image to full size" or "use centered timings" You want to use centered timings!
Or create a shortcut to the game and where it says target, add: " -w 1650 -h 1050" at the end. Without the quotes, and put that part OUTSIDE of the quotes that are already there. Doesn't work with every game but it works with a lot of them. When in doubt: http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/ Those guys are hardcore!
http://planetcnc.gamespy.com/View.php?view=FAQ.Detail&id=8 This FAQ gives very easy instructions on how to set a custom resolution for the game, and also how to run it in windows mode.
Ummm mess around with the options in the game you want, if it is a newer game it should have an option to go widescreen.
