Computer monitor question

[danzig6767]

I'm not very versed with computers. I use mine to just go online, listen to music, and watch shows/movies sometimes.

 

Well, for a number of years i had a 19' NEC 5:4 1280 x 1024 LCD monitor. It finally took a crap on me about a week ago and my sister had a fairly new 19' AOC 16:9 widescreen monitor which was just sitting in her closet since she doesn't use a desktop PC anymore. So she gave it to me and i hooked it up.

 

First of all i didn't care for the size of it with the widescreen aspect and another annoying factor was i thought the video image was kinda faded compared to how crystal clear my old NEC 5:4 1280 x 1024 monitor was. Same with picture images, even after messing with the settings for awhile.

 

I gave her back the AOC and went to the store and bought a 22' LG widescreen monitor since the 5:4 types are no longer manufactured. I like the size of this monitor, but as with the AOC widescreen, no matter how much i playing with the contrast/brightness/color settings, video and images aren't near as sharp as with my old NEC monitor. My kid really loves photography and she also thought her digital pictures weren't as sharp as on the old monitor.

 

Is this just a common aspect with these 16:9 monitors or something on my part which is making the image/video quality inferior to my 7 year old 5:4 NEC monitor because i had assumed that these new monitors would be superior?

[whizkid]

Wide screen monitors have a recommended native resolution. Check the manual or search the model online to see what it is. How old is your desktop? It may be that your graphics card or built-in graphics isn't capable of producing the native resolution the new monitors require for their best picture.

[logan82]

A lot of times the native resolution will show up on the monitor if you hit the menu button.

[adamb100]

You may have to calibrate the monitor. Often new monitors need their colors & contrast adjusted (done through the monitor's menu).

[whizkid]

You could search for updated drivers for your graphics card/built-in graphics that may help.

[danzig6767]

Thanks to anyone who took the time to respond. I played with the settings more and it's better, but i do notice that these monitors have strict viewing angles. If i don't look straight on, video gets really distorted.