VGA and a Video Port adapter to DVI

bpehrson · Jul 3, 2014

Hi,
I have a computer that has a vga port and a video port and am looking to set up two monitors. I bought a video port to dvi adapter since I have an abundance of dvi cables laying around. My father in law has his computer connected with one monitor on a vga and one on dvi and his resolutions match. Once I connected the two monitors though, I cant seem to get them to match resolutions so they just don't look right. Any suggestions as to correct the problem would be greatly appreciated.

ingtar33 · Jul 3, 2014

do your monitors have the same max resolution? cause it sounds like you might have a 1600x900 and a 1080p... cause 1600x900 resolution looks sorta poor on a 1080p monitor.

also are you also using the laptop monitor?

nukemaster · Jul 3, 2014

You can tun them at different resolutions if that is the issue.

Depending on the quality of your converter, VGA - > DVI may not look good.

DP(DisplayPort) -> DVI(Active in many cases) or HDMI -> DVI(passive) on the other hand fair much better since it is a digital to digital conversion.

bpehrson · Jul 3, 2014

@ ingtar33: Yes they do, in fact, they are the exact same monitor. In display settings one offers a max resolution of 1600x900 and the other offers 1600x1200. No, I am using a Dell optiplex 3020 tower.
@ nukemaster: I can get resolutions to match at a much lower resolution, but then the picture on both monitors just looks terrible. There is no vga adapter in play here, just a straight vga to vga connection on one monitor and a video port to adapter to dvi connection on the other.

Thanks for you help!

nukemaster · Jul 3, 2014

What is the model number on the 2 monitors.

I mean one seems to me running 16:9 and the other at 4:3. That is sure to cause some issues.

You may be able to create a custom resolution for the one that is acting up. This can be done from your video control panel(Intel Graphics and Media Control Panel - > Display -> Custom Resolution.).

ingtar33 · Jul 3, 2014

bpehrson :

they aren't the same monitor if one works in 16:9 and the other in 4:3

that's why the picture looks weird. run the two monitors at their native resolution, don't force the 4:3 to run in 16:9...

nukemaster · Jul 3, 2014

It is possible one of them is not getting the right resolution and they are the same. I have seen VGA not detect the right resolution max in the past(but it was Windows XP and all.).

bpehrson · Jul 3, 2014

Both monitors are Dell AS500 models.

nukemaster · Jul 3, 2014

I could be wrong, but the AS500 is a set of speakers that attach to several dell monitors. Do you have any other numbers on the screen?

bpehrson · Jul 3, 2014

Sorry about that. They are P2012H models.

nukemaster · Jul 3, 2014

Well by the look of things both should be set to 1600 x 900 @ 59/60hz(59 is the same and works as well).

Getting 1600 x 1200 out of one seems like it would cause quite some issues since the screen does not even have enough pixels.

If 1600 x 900 does not show up, you should be able to add it in the Intel software. When adding a custom resolution do it on the secondary screen so if things go wrong you can use the primary to bring the resolution back.

bpehrson · Jul 7, 2014

@ Nukemaster: How would I go about adding that resolution in the intel software?

nukemaster · Jul 7, 2014

Open "Intel Graphics and Media Control Panel"
Select Display
Select Custom Resolutions
Try to add 1600 x 900 @ 60hz with 32 bit color.

bpehrson · Jul 7, 2014

nukemaster :

I might be incorrect but I don't see that as an option. Did I choose the correct control panel? In Intel HD Graphics Control Panel in display I see a resolution, but no ability to customize a resolution.

nukemaster · Jul 7, 2014

The one I have is called Intel Graphics and Media Control Panel

I just added for a test, but my screen already supports and shows that resolution.

bpehrson · Jul 8, 2014

Ok, so I looked and looked but mine doesn't seem to have the custom resolutions option. I wonder if my intel graphics is more basic. I appreciate all the help though.

nukemaster · Jul 8, 2014

At the top left hand side you see it is in advanced mode, are you in another mode?

bpehrson · Jul 8, 2014

When clicking on the advanced, it says that the display does not support any of the advanced settings.

nukemaster · Jul 8, 2014

That is very strange.

Only thing left would be to see if they(Dell) have a driver that can tell the system what screen resolutions it supports. some users have gone as far as to edit INF files to make a custom monitor driver.

I have never need a monitor driver, but Dell DOES have some on its website and it does seem as if it would tell Windows your resolution.
http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/product/dell-p2012h/drivers

VGA and a Video Port adapter to DVI

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