Input Needed - Page 2

angusn · 05-12-2005, 10:02 AM

I'm running 800x600 from a PC (I know, I know) and it is distorted when viewing music videos but not terribly. The navigation software I use is called iGuidance, and since it thinks I'm on 800x600 the fonts get squished so thin that I can hardly read them. This is a common complaint. As long as the fonts are tall enough to be readable, we shouldn't have a problem.

To get a feel for what folks get to see, make a mock-up of your screen at 800x600. Re-size the image to 800x480 and ave it as a GIF. Load the GIF and re-size that to 800x600. You'll get pretty close to the same pixelization and image distortion that the Xenarc has when re-sizing 800x600 to native 800x480.

If you plan out the skin well, it will work just fine. When skinning for my PC, I do everything in 800x480, then re-size to 800x600 for final save in Photoshop. That way, when the hardware resizes, I'm back to "normal".

BTW: I am anxiously awaiting your software so I can move the PC to "Navigation Only" via VNC from the mac

minuo · 05-12-2005, 12:16 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by angusn

When skinning for my PC, I do everything in 800x480, then re-size to 800x600 for final save in Photoshop. That way, when the hardware resizes, I'm back to "normal".

angusn

How does that work out with fonts? Way back when I was going to use an epia I had this thought after doing a BIOS image flash, and the images can work OK, but fonts are still distorted. Do you use bitmap fonts resized the same way, or do you just deal with it?

--m

defender90 · 05-12-2005, 03:09 PM

Benjamin,

I tried tonight to get my lilliput to work with 800 x 480 with my Powerbook, but I can't get it to work. So i prefer 800 x 600. So you don't have to use third party stuff to run it.

Thanks for this great app. I really like your interface!!

angusn · 05-12-2005, 03:36 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by minuo

angusn

How does that work out with fonts? Way back when I was going to use an epia I had this thought after doing a BIOS image flash, and the images can work OK, but fonts are still distorted. Do you use bitmap fonts resized the same way, or do you just deal with it?

--m

As far as the computer is concerned, it's running at 800x600. The Xenarc does the scaling. Since there arn't as many pixels available, everything gets squished. When I connected up to my PowerBook, I only got 800x600 available. Everything worked "ok", but it suffered the same scaling issues as the PC.

A simple solution is to plan for 800x480, and use 800x600 with really tall fonts

The scaling solution I posted will give you an idea of how much higher you would need to make buttons and text to make them look correct on a scalled screen.

gommino · 05-12-2005, 10:50 PM

I am using 1280x768 on my powerbook g4. This is a 16:9 resolution so it isn't squashed up. This is the only 16:9 resolution I could find, and it only became available with Tiger. I didn't bother trying to get 800x480 with the trick mentioned elsewhere, because I use Route 66 and it complains with resolutions less than 800x600.

Why don't you make the front end so that it adjusts itself automatically according to the resolution the user is using?

Rob.

minuo · 05-13-2005, 01:57 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by gommino

I am using 1280x768 on my powerbook g4. This is a 16:9 resolution so it isn't squashed up. This is the only 16:9 resolution I could find, and it only became available with Tiger. I didn't bother trying to get 800x480 with the trick mentioned elsewhere, because I use Route 66 and it complains with resolutions less than 800x600.

Interesting....I suppose 1280/800 == 768/480, so the screen should be clear. When I get the time I'll have to mess with that

I saw some post (I'm betting the same "trick" you refer to -- can dig up a link if needed) talking about getting 800x480 on the mini using a 3rd party tool and a bit of applescript at boot...but I'm using an ibook so I'm not sure if the vid card in it will do 800x480. Of course that is the ideal, but 1280x768 may work for me too, thanks.

Quote: Originally Posted by gommino

Why don't you make the front end so that it adjusts itself automatically according to the resolution the user is using?

If I end up scaling images, I'd like to do it in software based on the user's rez settings. This way I'd only have one nib (and anyone who mods the nib would only need one, etc.), so that is the idea.

Again, thanks for pointing out what should have been obvious...find a same-ratio rez supported by both my mac and the screen...

Of course along with that will come the need for large point fonts...to be readable while driving, but that is the easy part:P

And, to bring this thread a bit back on topic and back to BenjaminS' question, I bet you won't make everyone happy if you go with one or the other rez, so maybe having two nibs is the best, or try to do the scaling needed (incl. fonts) in software...haven't tested that at all yet...one thought is that photoshop scaling may bring better results, but YMMV.

--m

DerekICT · 05-13-2005, 07:37 AM

Route 66 works fine at 800 x 480 and has given me no error messages or complaints...

BenjaminS · 05-13-2005, 09:26 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by minuo

If I end up scaling images, I'd like to do it in software based on the user's rez settings. This way I'd only have one nib (and anyone who mods the nib would only need one, etc.), so that is the idea.

Hmmm.... base on these two resolutions, 800x600 and 800x480 that means you would only be scaling vertically, no?

I know i can defenitly strech the main windows, but thats going to lead to some cooky skining problems for people. Like a background image not align absolutly perfectly with the streched tableview foreground.