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cjmaddy · 01-22-2006, 06:49 AM

If I've understood you correctly, the short answer is yes!

These things are difficult to explain in print, but if you have two monitors connected, (at the same time), to your video card, (and your Display Properties/Settings are correctly set), then you should have two monitors showing in the drop down box.

I had been saving this explanation/tutorial

- for possible use when MA2.6 finally gets released, - but here goes! ...
(It's aimed at 5x4 problems as well as two differing monitors, but it may help if you are prepared to work through it!)

5x4 vs 4x3 monitor sizes, when displaying SereneScreen family screensavers.

If like me you assume that Jim Sachs originally intended MA to be viewed at 1024x768 or equivalent 4x3 proportions, then read on .... If accuracy or quality do not interest you, and "anything will do", then this post is not for you.

As I have pointed out, I have dual monitors. But one is a Sony 17" CRT, and the other is a ViewSonic 17" flat panel LCD. This has placed me in a good position to verify the differences and problems that the industry created when it decided to standardise on 5x4 for virtually all 17" and 19" LCDs, after we had all been living with 4x3 CRT monitors for what seems like a lifetime!

Marine Aquarium (Time) on Flat Panel 5x4 LCDs

The datum point to start from is that the analog clock is circular when displayed full screen on a 4x3 Monitor. (ie. An anamorphic factor of 1.0000).
Unfortunately, virtually all 17" or 19" flat panel LCDs that have flooded the market in recent years are 5x4. So the image will be stretched and an uncorrected MA+Time screensaver will have an oval shaped clock, (+ distorted fish and coral etc). - However, the 'Anamorphic Factor' that is now an integral part of all the MD versions of the SereneScreen family of screensavers, can be used to remedy this. - To set your MD screensaver correctly, and get proof by seeing a truly circular analog clock on a 5x4 monitor, simply change the monitor anamorphic factor for the full frame version, from 1.000 to 0.9300 (or thereabouts). ..... The more precise figure being 980 / 1024 = 0.9375

If like me, you agree that an anamorphic factor of approx 0.8300 is required to produces a round clock for the widescreen version on a 4x3 CRT, then for a 5x4 LCD you will need an anamorphic factor setting of 0.83 x 0.9375 = 0.7688

There may be those who wish to disagree with these settings, but just give them a try and see which setting gives you a 'round' clock on a 5x4 monitor! ..... There will be narrow black bands top and bottom, ... (with much wider black bands for the widescren version, of course.) ... (But there will be NO distortion! - on either version.)

Changing the resolution on a 5x4 monitor to a 4x3 setting (say 1024x768), will have no effect because the uncorrected image is stretched to fill the 5x4 screen. It is the relative proportions (5x4), that are causing the problem, not the resolution! - You have to use the anamorphic value to make the correction!

These settings apply to all the Marine Aquarium, Goldfish, and Sharks screensavers that have an anamorphic factor setting, when they are viewed on a 1280x1024 or any other resolution of 5x4 monitor.

01-22-2006, 06:49 AM	#2
cjmaddy Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Lancashire, UK Posts: 7,854	If I've understood you correctly, the short answer is yes! These things are difficult to explain in print, but if you have two monitors connected, (at the same time), to your video card, (and your Display Properties/Settings are correctly set), then you should have two monitors showing in the drop down box. I had been saving this explanation/tutorial - for possible use when MA2.6 finally gets released, - but here goes! ... (It's aimed at 5x4 problems as well as two differing monitors, but it may help if you are prepared to work through it!) 5x4 vs 4x3 monitor sizes, when displaying SereneScreen family screensavers. If like me you assume that Jim Sachs originally intended MA to be viewed at 1024x768 or equivalent 4x3 proportions, then read on .... If accuracy or quality do not interest you, and "anything will do", then this post is not for you. As I have pointed out, I have dual monitors. But one is a Sony 17" CRT, and the other is a ViewSonic 17" flat panel LCD. This has placed me in a good position to verify the differences and problems that the industry created when it decided to standardise on 5x4 for virtually all 17" and 19" LCDs, after we had all been living with 4x3 CRT monitors for what seems like a lifetime! Marine Aquarium (Time) on Flat Panel 5x4 LCDs The datum point to start from is that the analog clock is circular when displayed full screen on a 4x3 Monitor. (ie. An anamorphic factor of 1.0000). Unfortunately, virtually all 17" or 19" flat panel LCDs that have flooded the market in recent years are 5x4. So the image will be stretched and an uncorrected MA+Time screensaver will have an oval shaped clock, (+ distorted fish and coral etc). - However, the 'Anamorphic Factor' that is now an integral part of all the MD versions of the SereneScreen family of screensavers, can be used to remedy this. - To set your MD screensaver correctly, and get proof by seeing a truly circular analog clock on a 5x4 monitor, simply change the monitor anamorphic factor for the full frame version, from 1.000 to 0.9300 (or thereabouts). ..... The more precise figure being 980 / 1024 = 0.9375 If like me, you agree that an anamorphic factor of approx 0.8300 is required to produces a round clock for the widescreen version on a 4x3 CRT, then for a 5x4 LCD you will need an anamorphic factor setting of 0.83 x 0.9375 = 0.7688 There may be those who wish to disagree with these settings, but just give them a try and see which setting gives you a 'round' clock on a 5x4 monitor! ..... There will be narrow black bands top and bottom, ... (with much wider black bands for the widescren version, of course.) ... (But there will be NO distortion! - on either version.) Changing the resolution on a 5x4 monitor to a 4x3 setting (say 1024x768), will have no effect because the uncorrected image is stretched to fill the 5x4 screen. It is the relative proportions (5x4), that are causing the problem, not the resolution! - You have to use the anamorphic value to make the correction! These settings apply to all the Marine Aquarium, Goldfish, and Sharks screensavers that have an anamorphic factor setting, when they are viewed on a 1280x1024 or any other resolution of 5x4 monitor.