How To: Game With Black Bars (non-widescreen)?

kautionwirez · Post by **kautionwirez** » 31 Jul 2005, 02:02

i have the catylist control center so it dont show???

should i get rid of it and just get the driver?

Post by **Paradigm Shifter** » 31 Jul 2005, 12:54

I've not used the CCC, but from the sounds of it, they'v changed the locations of everything. Have a look through the CCC and see if you can find it.

SteveH6479 · Post by **SteveH6479** » 13 Aug 2005, 20:04

ok guys, i made a new discovery. This problem seems to ONLY arise on 1280x800 screens. And I figured out why. It may be just coincidence but for 1440x900 screen, a 4:3 resolution that was stretched and had a preserved ratio would be stretched to 1200x900. For 1680x1050, it would be stretched to 1400x1050. For 1920x1200, it would be stretched to 1600x1200. And finally, for 1280x800, it would be stretched to 1066.66667x800

See the problem? Now I'm curious as to how sony/nvidia solved it. Ati on the other hand didn't bother to offer a solution.

Post by **skipclarke** » 27 Nov 2005, 18:09

Would this be best in our New How To section?

Streeter · Post by **Streeter** » 31 Dec 2005, 04:49

I Recently bought a 21 inch Gateway HD monitor. When I try to play Warcraft III it streches the picture ant I find it annoying. I have an ATI X300 and the latest Omega drivers. Is there is a way to keep games in there native resolution and have black boxes on the sides?

I know this is redundant, sorry

--Streeter

Post by **skipclarke** » 31 Dec 2005, 13:47

Welcome to WSGF

How To: Game With Black Bars (non-widescreen)?

Streeter · Post by **Streeter** » 31 Dec 2005, 16:33

I tried the CCC but I did not even have a display tab for me. I switched to Omega but they didnt give the maintain aspect ratio option either.

Thanks for the help.

Post by **skipclarke** » 31 Dec 2005, 16:53

You will then probably need to get a download utility like PowerStrip or the like.

Paradigm Shifter & others here at WSGF know all the names, functions & links.

Streeter · Post by **Streeter** » 31 Dec 2005, 19:00

I cant find the fixed aspect ratio in PowerStrip. Does anyone know how to do it?

Post by **skipclarke** » 31 Dec 2005, 21:32

Does this help?

Tutorial: Powerstrip - Controlled Variable Stretch Technique

Post by **skipclarke** » 31 Dec 2005, 21:36

Oh yeah another thing - you might find another res that everything seems ok at

How-To: Choose WS Resolutions & Aspect Ratios

You can also download the free Reforce utility & allow Windows to select any res that your monitor can support.

Search google for it

Streeter · Post by **Streeter** » 02 Jan 2006, 01:26

Well ive looked at those threads but neither helped. The Controlled Variable Stretch Technique leaves a very strange pattern on my monitor and the work area is not centered. Changing the resolution does nothing because it will still stretch the game.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Post by **skipclarke** » 02 Jan 2006, 01:55

Wait until Tamlin sobers up - oopps :oops:

I mean gets back from his cruise - he might be able to help.

Or Paradigm returns - who probably passed out eating xmass pudding with too much rum poured on it. :lol:

Streeter · Post by **Streeter** » 03 Jan 2006, 00:30

I will wait then.

Post by **Tamlin** » 04 Jan 2006, 16:27

I Recently bought a 21 inch Gateway HD monitor. When I try to play Warcraft III it streches the picture ant I find it annoying. I have an ATI X300 and the latest Omega drivers. Is there is a way to keep games in there native resolution and have black boxes on the sides?

I know this is redundant, sorry

--Streeter

Go into the video scaling in the OSD of the Gateway if you are uncertain, check manual here PDF. You have 4 options there that also works for PC inputs. Wide, zoom, 1:1 and panoramic. Choose 1:1 and exit menu.
In the CCC, under -> digital panel properties -> image scaling, choose "use centered timings" (instead of scale image to full panel size). Now you should be set to go! :D

Streeter · Post by **Streeter** » 04 Jan 2006, 22:12

I have a problem with both parts of your solution.
When I bring up the OSD I cannot select the Video Adjust menu because its grayed out. It wouldnt be because I'm useing a VGA cable?
AND
When I open the CCC which I assume is this window...

...I dont have a digital panel properties option.
This seems to be a very peculiar problem.

Post by **Tamlin** » 04 Jan 2006, 23:55

strange... I'll look into it and see what I can find :D
In the meantime, did you install and try Eztune that followed with your screen and drivers?

Streeter · Post by **Streeter** » 05 Jan 2006, 00:06

I did Indeed but I could not find the Video Adjust Options there either.

Thanks

Streeter · Post by **Streeter** » 07 Jan 2006, 05:02

Well, ive been looking but haveent found much yet.

Post by **Tamlin** » 07 Jan 2006, 15:41

As far as I have seen so far, the gateway doesn't support scaling via VGA by default. Some claim they have made it work with nvidia card and turn off scaling through it and others say they had to force it to become a "HD monitor" in the display drivers to enable/disable scaling.

Your choices are limited. Maybe there is a registry tweak for ATI cards where you can enable the settings in the system registry.
Also, there might be an option when accessing fabric settings through the OSD. When I hold in the menu button and another button and then turn on monitor I get 3 different effects, which depends on what button. Service menu, factory menu and OSD lock. These menus gives room for extended tweaking of the screen and menus change after what input I am using when powering screen on. Maybe if you access the factory settings, you will be able to change default scaling options there? :) Just be careful, you have options to wipe out eeprom and such, which would be very bad...
Do everything at your own risk... :) I will look a bit further, as a curtisy of Gateway for including widescreen gaming forum in their FAQ manual! :D

Widescreen Gaming Forum