I have a Samsung SyncMaster 932MW LCD TV which I’ve connected to my AsusVivoBook S15 X510UF laptop running Windows 10 build 1903 as a secondary monitor using an HDMI cable. The laptop has an integrated Intel video card and a Nvidia GeForce MX130, with an Intel Core i5 CPU.
Unfortunately, the TV only supports a refresh rate of 59Hz, and the highest resolution available at that frequency is 640 x 480. The issue I have with this low resolution is that it makes everything on Windows appear larger, which makes it difficult to work with. Despite setting the app and other elements dimension to 100% in Windows settings, I can’t reduce their size.
Moreover, there isn’t any option for a higher resolution with a refresh rate of 59Hz.
I’m looking for a solution to increase the resolution while keeping the refresh rate unchanged.
2 Answers
Understanding Resolution and Refresh Rate
Before we delve into the solution, it’s essential to understand the terms “resolution” and “refresh rate.” Resolution refers to the number of pixels on a screen, while refresh rate refers to the number of times per second that the screen refreshes its image. These two factors play a crucial role in determining the quality of the image displayed on a screen.
The resolution of a screen is expressed in terms of the number of pixels on its display area. For instance, a resolution of 1920 x 1080 means that the screen has 1920 pixels horizontally and 1080 pixels vertically. A higher resolution means more pixels, which translates to a clearer and sharper image.
Refresh rate, on the other hand, is the number of times per second that the screen refreshes its image. It is measured in Hertz (Hz), and a higher refresh rate means a smoother and more seamless display.
Using Custom Resolution Utility
Custom Resolution Utility (CRU) is a free software that allows you to create custom resolutions for your display. It works by modifying the monitor’s EDID (Extended Display Identification Data), which is a set of data that describes the monitor’s capabilities to the graphics card.
To use CRU, follow these steps:
1. Download and install CRU from the official website.
2. Launch the program and click on the “Add” button under the “Detailed resolutions” section.
3. Enter the desired resolution and refresh rate in the appropriate fields. Make sure to select “LCD standard” under the timing section.
4. Click on the “OK” button to save the settings.
5. Restart your computer to apply the changes.
After restarting your computer, you should be able to select the custom resolution and refresh rate from your display settings. If the new resolution and refresh rate don’t work, you can try different values until you find the ones that work best for your display.
Using NVIDIA Control Panel
If you have an NVIDIA graphics card, you can also try using the NVIDIA Control Panel to create custom resolutions. Here’s how:
1. Right-click on your desktop and select “NVIDIA Control Panel” from the context menu.
2. Click on the “Change resolution” option under the “Display” section.
3. Click on the “Customize” button.
4. Enter the desired resolution and refresh rate in the appropriate fields.
5. Click on the “Test” button to check if the new resolution and refresh rate work.
6. If everything looks good, click on the “Apply” button to save the settings.
Note that not all NVIDIA graphics cards support custom resolutions, so this method may not work for everyone.
Using Intel Graphics Control Panel
If you have an Intel graphics card, you can use the Intel Graphics Control Panel to create custom resolutions. Here’s how:
1. Right-click on your desktop and select “Graphics Properties” from the context menu.
2. Click on the “Display” tab.
3. Click on the “Custom Resolutions” button.
4. Enter the desired resolution and refresh rate in the appropriate fields.
5. Click on the “Add” button to save the settings.
6. Click on the “Yes” button to confirm the settings.
After applying the new settings, you should be able to select the custom resolution and refresh rate from your display settings.
Conclusion
Increasing the resolution while maintaining the refresh rate can be a challenging task, but it’s not impossible. With the right tools and a bit of patience, you can create custom resolutions that work best for your display. Custom Resolution Utility, NVIDIA Control Panel, and Intel Graphics Control Panel are some of the tools that you can use to achieve this. Remember to test different values until you find the ones that work best for your display.
Since all the recommendations have been unsuccessful, I am left with only one option that I haven’t tried yet, which is to use a different high-quality cable from a different manufacturer.
If this alternative solution fails to resolve the issue, and assuming the TV is new, I would suggest requesting a replacement or a refund since it appears to be faulty.
If neither of these options are available, and the TV is still under warranty, then using the warranty to seek assistance would be the best course of action.