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Dual screen with different resolutions

Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 8:39 pm
by patstew
I was considering attempting to build one of those planar half mirror set up with two screens, but I can't use two identical screens because I can't get another of the screen I have. Instead I was going to use my current 22" 1680x1050 screen, and get another 24.6" 1920x1080 screen. The dot pitch only differs by 0.001mm (0.282 vs 0.283) so there would only be a ~1.7mm difference in width across 1650 pixels which I hope wouldn't be very noticeable (?). The question is what would the IZ3d drivers do in this situation:
  1. Cry, and refuse to work.
  2. Output to each screen at native resolution (I doubt it can render to 2 different resolutions so this would surprise me)
  3. Output to each screen at native resolution but put black bars around a 1680x1050 image on the bigger screen (This would be ideal. Seems unlikely, but I thought it could be possible because I think it does that to low res games?)
  4. Output to both screens at 1680x1050 (Seems most likely. In this case I would have to make sure the screen has 1:1 pixel mode.)
Anyone know the answer/want to shoot my ideas down in flames?

Before you suggest it, I am aware that I could just get another 22" screen of a different make, it just seems like less of a waste of money if I can get a bigger, high res screen into the bargain. Or I could just get the zalman since it's quite cheap in the uk these days. The only thing that puts me off that is the viewing angle. Also, can anyone with a planar set up say how it compares to the zalman/IZ3d screen/E-D glasses? I've only ever used E-D glasses before. (Sorry if that's a bit off-topic in this forum)

Re: Dual screen with different resolutions

Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 9:44 pm
by cybereality
Well I don't have a planar setup, but its reasonable to assume you need 2 identical screens, or at least the same size and resolution. Personally I have the Zalman and I'm pretty happy with it. I would recommend getting the Zalman and if you still want something better you can use it for your planar setup.

Re: Dual screen with different resolutions

Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:19 pm
by patstew
The zalman wouldn't work with a planar setup, because the screens need to be linearly polarised at 45 degrees. The point is that if the drivers will output an image with black bars (as they do with low resolution games), then the two screens would be the same size and resolution, to within 2mm.

How bad is the vertical viewing angle thing that lots of people seem to complain about on the zalman? I would like it to be possible for more than one person to watch at once.

Re: Dual screen with different resolutions

Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 9:58 pm
by cybereality
Oh yeah, I forgot the polarization on Zalman would interfere. Duh!

And yeah, the vertical view angle on the Zalman is dreadfully small. Its still manageable for 1 person but very difficult for multiple people. For the price, though, it doesn't get much better.

Re: Dual screen with different resolutions

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 9:08 am
by Likay
Since the zalman uses circular polarized light it would probably work in a planar setup by applying a linear polarizer to it (free angle). Some very minor colordifferencies may appear.