BenQ 241W HDMI = no WUXGA

troubleshooted this tonight -- hope someone here can advise.

BenQ 241 + VGA = 1920x1200 WUXGA
BenQ 241 + DVI = 1920x1200 WUXGA
BenQ 241 + HDMI = 1920x1080 HD

problem is the first two options aren't available in my newest notebook, ASUS G71G. can't change the settings in Vista / NVIDIA control panel, or the BenQ settings.

question: if i buy an HDMI to DVI adapter (plugging into the DVI connector on the monitor) while using the HDMI cable, will i be able to get WUXGA res?

 

did you try to force 1920x1200 by adding it as a custom resolution under nvidia control panel > display > manager custom resolutions ? I'm using a 26" @ 1920x1200 over HDMI with a HDMI to DVI cable.

 

I'm no expert on this but what I think is:
While plugged using VGA or DVI, your monitor is actually working as a computer monitor while under HDMI, it's working as a 1080p HDTV.

 

thanks folks.

PhoenixFX: thanks for the tip. just tried it, but no dice. once i switch to HDMI, that option disappears. appears it's only good for the notebook monitor.

and JCMS: i agree with you. i'm starting to think this is a hard-wired monitor issue. totally crazy that BenQ never thought that PC - HDMI - Monitor would need options. anyone know how to "hack" a BenQ? lol.

the other thing, which is driving me crazy, is that picture on the monitor isn't displaying HD. it's zoomed -- all sides of the desktop are cropped. but then if i do a screen capture, and port into Photoshop and view via the notebook display, it's very clearly 1920x1080.

so it seems the monitor has an HDMI input, but can't correctly display HD resolution from my notebook? software? hardware? both?

should i get an HDMI to DVI adapter as my next option, or am i missing something else?

 

What do you mean when you switch to HDMI ? I also use my monitor connected with a HDMI cable (at the notebook's end I use the HDMI port, the other end is connected to a DVI port on the monitor).

Check Flat panel scaling options under nvidia control panel > display > change flat panel scaling.

The whole resolution problem could be a driver related problem. Did you try with a different set of drivers ? You can download either from nvidia directly or from laptopvideo2go.com.

 

right now, the notebook end is HDMI, and the monitor end is HDMI. was thinking i might get an adapter so that i can plug into the monitor via DVI. (i take it your cable is HDMI on one end, and DVI on the other?)

another no go, unfortunately. the scaling doesn't take away the zoom/cropped image issue. that's the strange thing: you'd think that the monitor would show a slightly vertically compressed image at 1080 vertical, or letter boxed. but it's zoom and filling the whole screen.

using the nvidia drivers from the website now. laptop2go drivers are up next. but i'm starting to think this is a purely HW issue:

http://forums.ncix.com/forums/index..._id=19235&msgcount=2&overclockid=0#msg1716519

and this too, also from NCIX (about the WZ monitor, not the W, and DVI seems to work fine for them, but it's curious just the same -- could it be the CABLE?!?):

----
PS3 HDMI - BenQ HDMI (BenQ supplied HDMI cable) = didn't work
PS3 HDMI - BenQ DVI (nGear cable) = works fine
PC DVI - BenQ DVI (BenQ supplied DVI cable) = works fine
PC DVI - BenQ HDMI (nGear cable) = works, but video card dropped the resolution down to 1920x1080 from 1920x1200

Try the shorter supplied DVI and HDMI cables to see if you get better results from them. If so, I'd blame the nGear cable.
----

http://forums.ncix.com/forums/index...id=23033&msgcount=10&overclockid=0#msg1433554

 

Yes,

I have a HDMI input on my monitor, but don't have a HDMI > HDMI cable, otherwise I could've tested to see if it is a nvidia driver limitation or a monitor limitation. Did you try calling BenQ technical support ?

 

I think you need a HDMI-DVI adaptor, it sounds like the HDMI input is only for 16:9 resolutions. The WZ had extra features to adjust the input (1-1, scale up or letterbox) that the W doesn't, it appears the W just has scale up.

 

thanks for your input, guys.

in brief: this is a hardware AND software issue. and curiously enough, nothing to do with Vista or Asus, even. (although with all the money behind these companies and the HD industry, i'm *shocked* this can still happen.)

1. checked up on BenQ. rumours that an updated firmware is available, but can't be done from here. too much work to get it sent to BenQ and back. the BenQ 241W was the world's first LCD monitor with HDMI, apparently. obviously, still some bugs to be worked out.

2. read NVIDIA forums and [H]ard|Forum about "overscan", "enable overscan compensation registry hack", various custom tools, one custom driver set that NVidia issued only through their forum (that i could see), and PLENTY of blame towards NVIDIA for not addressing the issue, and then taking their sweet time about it, and then not really fixing it anyway. this overscan issue has been going on for YEARS, apparently.

3. the 9800GS identifies the BenQ as a 16:9 HDTV -- it's getting that signal direct from the monitor. there is away to trick Vista to believe otherwise, but that means hacking the nvidia drivers. from what i've read in other forums, this is a tricky proposition that involves id'ing the displays EEID (or whatever)

4. SOLUTION. drive in the rain to Anitec. buy a HDMI to DVI cable, which happened to be on sale ($8!!). plugged in and we're in business!


there's still a bit of funkiness for sure. probably drivers. both displays are set at 1920x1200 and look great, but after first boot, the drivers still insisted that one is 1920x1080. got that sorted out. but i don't have the ability to play video full screen in one display and work in the other. need to get that sorted out.