Widescreen or 4:3 Monitor?

[markf]

I just recieved a new Dell 2007WFP monitor. I have attached it to my workstation which has a Nvidia Quadro 4 XGL video card.

 

The card does not suport the wide aspect ratio. My bad.

 

I can return the monitor and get a 2007FP which is a 4:3 aspect and should work with my vidoe card. Or I could get a new video card that supports the optimal monitor resolution. Not sure which makes the most sense.

 

My question, is a wide screen more comfortable to work with vs the old 4:3 which is all I have ever used?

 

I also have orederd, and have yet to receive, a new workstation with two of the 2007WFP monitors and a Nvidia Gforce 8800 GTX that does support the wide screen. Now I'm questioning wether I should have got the 2007FP's instead.

 

Any thoughts or experience with this very much appreciated. Upgrading is painful, but neccesary

[DavidR]

Geez, I wish I had your problems...Anyway, it's a tough call, and comes down to money, really, and how you work. Do you do animations for 16:9 display or watch lots of DVDs on your system? I don't think there;s a right or wrong answer to your question.

[AJLynn]

I still prefer 4:3 when working in multiple viewports and 16:9 when viewing DVDs

 

Also, with the sam size in inches, a 4:3 is larger than a 16:9 (doing the math is left as an exercise to the reader).

[markf]

Thank you guys for your replies. I'm struggling with this issue.

 

I don't do much animating and have never done any for 16:9. My sense is I need to return the 3 each 16:9- 20"monitors and get the 4:3- 20" in place. The 4:3 are more expensive (I think about $100 more each) but I plan to use these for several years minimum and can absorb the increase cost.

 

The reason I would stay with the 16:9 is from a sense that all things are going to this wide format. So I'd potentialy be more future proof. On the other side I sense that the 4:3 that I'm accustomed to is better/more comfortable for the work I'm doing.

 

I'm really unsure about this and want to make the best descion because it's allot of $ etc.

 

Any additional comments or advice will be very much appreciated

[pailhead]

It's simple, if you are going for a single screen rig, then definitely get a wide screen and get used to it. It won't take you long until you realize that the extra space on the side, when you roughly subtract the 4:3 are, is very useful.

 

If you want to set up a dual screen rig, then two 4:3 will be enough. You might want to go with one wide screen for several reasons, like if you want to have a screen on which you can watch dvds or play games, or you are simply used to that ratio and are using the second screen for other purposes.

 

Two wides is not really practical. If you lay them down horizontally, they will not only take a lot of space, you will have a hard time turning your head around trying to catch everything thats on both screens. But if you were to rotate one of them and keep them in a vertical position, it might be useful - you'll have the 4:3 for all the reference images, drawings etc. and you will have the extra space height-wise for browsing the internet or for reading/writing documents.

[ameo]

3:4 is better for work, 19:10 for entertainment. 3:4 physical

have more work space like AJLynn says, and also have better proportions (almost every software have toolbars on top that reduces the height of your viewport ).

 

For me dual 3:4 is the best choice.

[rpompeu]

I used to work with 2 17" 3:4 monitors and recently I bought a 22" widescreen and I'm using this along one of those 17" monitors.

As Dusan said, one widescreen and one 4:3 monitor is the best choise, at least for me. two widescreen monitors would meka me turn a lot my head from side to side.

[markf]

Thank you all for your helpful replies. I am going to return the 16:9's and get 4:3

 

Wish I had done it right the first time.....