Sony Z Series External Monitor

Hi

I'm looking to get an external monitor for my z series. I have a few questions which I hope you can help me with

1. Is it best to get an HDMI monitor - what are the advantages over a standard monitor?

2. Will the graphics card be able to power more than my current 1600x900 res?

3. I'm looking for a good 21-24 inch monitor, thinking about Samsung, anyone got any suggestions?

4. I'm assuming running dual monitors is out of the question?

Thanks

Shaggy

 

Hey,

If you use HDMI then you will be able to get 1920x1080 res.. i think vga you will be limited.

you could do additional monitors by adding a usb device.

 

Most of it depends on what you intend to do on those screens.

1. HDMI limits you to 1920 * 1080. The VGA could go higher. However, the picture quality of HDMI is better. If you can, go with HDMI over VGA.

2. If you're doing office stuff, most definetly. Playing games? Don't expect much. The 9300 should be capable of displaying Full HD movies, which are 1920 * 1080, so you're good there also.

3. What is the budget? Also, you wouldn't expect it, but I hear Dell has some good quality screens. It's worth looking into anyhow.

4. The graphics card can handle office tasks on multiple screens. If the Z series with HDMI port allows it, there should be no problem. Seeing as I'm not sure about the second part, I'd suggest you first give connecting two monitors a try before buying a second new monitor.

Also, if the Z allows the VGA to be used at the same time as the HDMI port, it will be miles better than an USB solution.

 

HDMI doesn't limit you to 1920x1080, I'm running 1920x1200 perfectly fine on my Samsung T240M.

 

You're right, I flat out forgot about 1920x1200.

Edit:
It doesn't look like there is support for directly connecting two external monitors using the built-in VGA and HDMI ports, or the monitor ports of the dock.
So TypeSHhhh is right, a second external monitor is, unfortunately, to be connected through usb.

 

thanks guys, bought the samsung 2494HM in the end, its an ok monitor, text quite blurry compared to the vaio screen. I have another problem however, the desktop on the samsung reaches beyond the actual screen!, so the "start" button isn't visible and when I open the browser menu and resize buttons are 'missing', I do have it set at 1900x1080 res, which is the native and I have checked if I can somehow rescale via graphics card but those options are dimmed. I have also pressed the auto button on the monitor but it says auto adjustment not available???? any ideas?

Thanks

 

When I added a second display, there was a second tab on the setup dialog that allowed me to "fine tune" the desktop size -- i.e., one setting if you are getting black bars around the picture, another if the desktop is too large, and a third if it is OK as is. I can't seem to find the dialog now, so it probably is available only when a second monitor is detected.

A second thing to note is that a DVD won't play over HDMI if the video card is set to "Duplicate" (clone) mode. At least it didn't work for me using WinDVD BD. I had to use "Projector Only" to play the movie on my TV.

 

Your TV is a TV, not a monitor. It uses overscan mode by default, which provides compatibility with old NTSC (or PAL) systems, where the transmitted picture is larger than the viewable picture. If you were to look at a TV picture in full resolution, you would see black borders around the picture.

You need to switch over from TV mode to monitor mode (it might be called "overscan on/off").
If there's no way to do this, then exchange the TV.

 

FWIW, I located the setting on my Vaio Z that adjusts for overscan when outputting to a TV via HDMI. Go to Start/All Programs/Vaio Control Center, then expand the "Display" menu item on the left side. Click on "HDMI Resolution Settings." This allows you to select the resolution for your external display, either 720, 768, or 1080. There is also a tab for "Adjust Resolution," which will produce a slightly larger or smaller desktop. As I said earlier, you can't access this tab (or select the basic resolution) unless your computer actually detects an external display.