Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) monitors are widely used in the Institute. To optimize the performance and the image quality of the LCD monitor, there are a number of set up or fine tunes which users might want to try it out though they are optional.

  1. There is a common misunderstanding that larger LCD monitor will give larger image just like an old TV set. It is not always true. Most of the computer monitors are of around 100 DPI (dot per inch) which means the dot size remains more or less the same for different size of monitors under native resolution. Unlike the traditional TV set, larger LCD monitor will allow you to squeeze more pixels or dots into the monitor and will not make the image bigger. Nevertheless, you can show more information on the screen e.g reading email and word/pdf document with less scrolling. You might want to change the font size of the menu as indicated below but most of the image and icon size will remain the same.
  2. Set up the Contrast and Brightness of the LCD monitor through the button at the bottom of the monitor itself so that it blend with the ambient light. It will reduce the stress to your eyes.
  3. For more information about the recommended position of the monitor relative to your eyes, workstation setup and working postures, please kindly refer to A Guide to work with Computers.
  4. Set up the LCD monitor to native resolution: For 19 or 17 LCD monitor, the native resolution should be 1280x1024. For 15 LCD monitor, it should be 1024x768. Setting a LCD monitor to resolution other than the native one will generate blur images - please kindly refer to ClearType FAQ for checking if you are using native resolution. For staff who prefer larger image size, they could set up their LCD monitor to non-native resolutions but the image will not be as sharp as native resolution.
  5. Set up Large Font if needed: At high resolution, standard font on the menu and label of the windows might be too small to read, users could use Larger font for the menu text and label which means less eye stress. (In Windows XP, just change it from the Control Panel - Display -> Appearance -> select Large in the font size drop-down box)
  6. Set up Clear Type to make use of the sub-pixel technology to make the text on LCD monitor looks better. For more information about ClearType Technology in Windows XP, please refer to ClearType information. Visit the ClearType Tuner and you can enable and fine tune Clear Type setting in Windows XP. Please note that Clear Type Technology are for LCD monitor only and it is not applicable for conventional CRT monitors.
  7. For the best color reproduction, you might want to calibrate your monitor with Adobe Gamma in Windows XP - visit Monitor Calibration and Characterisation for detail. Unfortunately, good color reproduction on your LCD monitor might render the monitor too bright and it might induce stress to your eyes.