Is My Monitor Up To The Job

[framplot]

My screen size is supposedly 16" but taking away the surround, it actually works out at 12" wide and 9" high. I've tried various resolutions for everyday use and 880 x 600 works best.

However, ULead Video Studio seems to require 1024 x 768, which my video card WILL support but at that resolution my desktop icons are VERY small !!

Is there a trick to setting my system up so I can use ULead or must I purchase a new, larger, monitor ??

Many thanks.

[DVDDoug]

You can change the size of your icons and text after increasing your screen resolution:

Right-click on an open spot on your "desktop" screen.
Click Properties
Appearance
Item
icon (etc.)

You may also be able to find a free utility that allows you to easily switch between different resolutions. I found one called SetRes. (I have not tried it.)

[CycleWriter]

No offense, but if your knowledge of something as rudimentary a process in Windows is so lacking that you don't know how to change the icon/text size of your desktop, using a program as sophisticated as a video editor is likely to overwhelm you. I suggest you get a better understanding of the Windows environment before you take on the task of editing video. Sorry to sound so harsh, but video editing requires at least a minimal ability to navigate Windows. Without it, you'll be wasting yours and others time in here asking questions about every aspect of what you do with Video Studio. It's not your monitor you should be worrying about.

[Black Lab]

No offense, but if your knowledge of something as rudimentary a process in Windows is so lacking that you don't know how to change the icon/text size of your desktop, using a program as sophisticated as a video editor is likely to overwhelm you. I suggest you get a better understanding of the Windows environment before you take on the task of editing video. Sorry to sound so harsh, but video editing requires at least a minimal ability to navigate Windows. Without it, you'll be wasting yours and others time in here asking questions about every aspect of what you do with Video Studio. It's not your monitor you should be worrying about.

framplot only asked for advice. Your criticism, as far as I am concerned, in uncalled for. Your assumption that the lack of knowledge about Windows correlates to being unable to edit video is down right rude and condascending.

To be honest, I didn't know you could change the icon size apart from changing the resolution. Never needed to know that. According to you, the fact that I've created hundreds of videos must mean that either I'm lucky or I'm a video editing genius.

I think you owe framplot, and all Windows-challenged people, an apology.

[CycleWriter]

I think you owe framplot, and all Windows-challenged people, an apology.

Don't hold your breath.

Reread the original post. There's enough there to show that not only does this person not have a rudimentary grasp of the basic Windows environment (changing resolutions and appearance aspects is one of the first things every Windows book teaches you, as does the Tutorial built into Windows), but to think that a monitor change would be required in order to use Video Studio shows a total lack of comprehension. He didn't ask if a larger monitor would make using the program easier or better, he asked if it was required just to use the program. If you're so concerned about him I suggest you send him your private e-mail address so he can pepper your inbox with all kinds of basic questions that are better off left out of this forum. Personally, I think this was a joke.

[Ron P.]

Maybe I should consider a larger monitor too...

I know how monitor sizes are figured (diagonal), however never thought about the actual screen size, length and width. My screen is only 10¾ x 13¼. Not much larger then the OP's. My screen resolution is 1280 x 1024. Funny it seems larger looking at then it actually is...

Wow, In XP you have a 96 DPI setting and a 120 DPI. That 30 DPI difference makes it so you could read the screen from the next room...

[Black Lab]

Reread the original post. There's enough there to show that not only does this person not have a rudimentary grasp of the basic Windows environment (changing resolutions and appearance aspects is one of the first things every Windows book teaches you, as does the Tutorial built into Windows), but to think that a monitor change would be required in order to use Video Studio shows a total lack of comprehension. He didn't ask if a larger monitor would make using the program easier or better, he asked if it was required just to use the program.

And so what does that have to do with my point - that one's level of Windows knowledge has little to do with the ability to edit video.

If you're so concerned about him I suggest you send him your private e-mail address so he can pepper your inbox with all kinds of basic questions that are better off left out of this forum.

This forum is here to help people, whether they have basic or advanced questions, and that's what most of us try to do.
If you are so unconcerned then why bother trying to help someone. Oh, that's right, most of your posts are just complaints.

[framplot]

I'd like to thank Black Lab for his patience and understanding, and above all, his politeness.

As to Cycle Writer, I was totally unaware that there was a particular level of understanding that was required before being allowed to post a question in this forum.

Simply putting the words "No offense" at the beginning of your post doesn't magically mean that you are anything but offensive. You are also rude and arrogant in the extreme.

I'm surprised that you even bother visiting these forums - you obviously know everything and seem to find pleasure in belittling others not quite so clever as yourself.

My thanks to DVDDoug and Vidoman for your comments, and again to Black Lab for your second posting. I hope that the vast majority of forum members are as considerate as yourselves, and that Cycle Writer is an unfortunate exception.

[CycleWriter]

And so what does that have to do with my point - that one's level of Windows knowledge has little to do with the ability to edit video.

I disagree. I think one should know how to drive a car before one gets behind the wheel. You don't have to know exactly what makes the car go forward, but you should at least know where the gearshift is and how it works.

This forum is here to help people, whether they have basic or advanced questions, and that's what most of us try to do.
If you are so unconcerned then why bother trying to help someone.

Video editing is an advanced computer user activity, despite what the program literature tries to tell us. These forums should be to help and answer questions of value related to the various programs, not where lazy people go to get basic knowledge on Windows. One should have at least a basic understanding of Windows along with an understanding of how to set it up for his/her own use.

Oh, that's right, most of your posts are just complaints.

Could be. See, as a consumer I feel I deserve to get a product that actually does what it says it will do. So far, VS has fallen short of that on several levels. If complaining in here makes that change, I'm willing to do my part.

I don't pretend to know much about video editing (I know enough to get paid for some of my work and to please my family with it). I do know a lot about computers and anyone who thinks they have a 16" monitor that runs 880X600 resolution and needs to upgrade to a larger one just to run a program knows little about either. Wasting time to give them lessons on things they should have learned within the first 3 months of using Windows is a waste of bandwidth and this forum's purpose.

The only reason I even looked at this thread was because I had earlier asked about the difference betwen LCD and CRT monitors for video editing and I thought this thread had something to do with that.

[Ron P.]

CycleWriter,
Why do you bother replying to posts, when it seems to bother you that people post questions This is totally absurd that someone comes here asking for help, and yet you feel the need to belittle. I don't think anyone is forcing you to reply to any posts. So please stop with your nonsense... I'm sure that a Moderator can remedy your discomfort in reading them

[sjj1805]

Cyclewriter.
Sometimes the obvious isn't the correct answer. It may appear that the obvious answer to a problem is to read the manual.

Let me tell you about someone I work with who last year bought himself his first camcorder. Obviously he later came to me to ask how to get it all onto his computer and eventually onto a DVD.

Despite explaining it to him several times he eventually brought his computer into our workplace on a nightshift and during our refreshment break I set it all up for him. So one thing was for sure when he came to me with his next problem - I knew his computer was correctly set up.

Despite me again telling him several times how to get his stuff onto a DVD disc he still couldn't get it to work.

A couple of weeks ago He asked if I could make him some copies of some videos I had created. He gave me a 'Cake Box' of blank DVD discs.
It was only after I had ruined his second blank disc that it became obvious he had a faulty batch.

No imagine that poor workmate of mine - how he had been pulling his hair out all those months doing everything correctly as I had told him and getting nowhere. Visually his discs appeared OK no sign of flaws in the surface and he had bought them from a reputable shop.

Try telling my workmate "Read the Manual" and he will most likely knock your lights out!!

[sjj1805]

My screen size is supposedly 16" but taking away the surround, it actually works out at 12" wide and 9" high. I've tried various resolutions for everyday use and 880 x 600 works best.

However, ULead Video Studio seems to require 1024 x 768, which my video card WILL support but at that resolution my desktop icons are VERY small !!

Is there a trick to setting my system up so I can use ULead or must I purchase a new, larger, monitor ??

Many thanks.

The screen size is measured diagonally ¡V in other words from the top left corner to the bottom right corner. It is not Height / Width. It also only relates to the actual screen and not any of the surrounding case.

As for what resolution works best. You could do with paying a visit to my workplace. Here we have a large number of computers in use 24/7.
The various users have their own preferences of screen sizes. they are all working the exact same programs on the exact same specification computers. some prefer 800x600 others 1024x768. I have even seen some struggle along with 1280x760 and end up squinting at the screen.

Try changing their resolution and you get your head bit off. whats suits one computer operator does not suit another. Sometimes you are restricted to certain screen sizes by the software and have no choice in the matter.

What suits you is the best size to work in.
DVDDoug has already replied to you how to alter the various icon sizes etc.