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Text somewhat pixelated/not smooth on 27" BenQ monitor

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Original poster
Mar 19, 2009
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Hi everyone,

I recently purchased a BenQ 27" monitor (Model: GW2760HM, 1920 x 1080 native resolution) plugged into my MacBook Air (2013) via a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter, and since using this monitor, text just doesn't seem smooth enough at all. It's readable by all means but I can see visible pixelation around the edges of each character. I am curious as to whether there is a setting I have overlooked which may make text look a little smoother, or whether this "issue" is normal for 27" monitors at 1920 x 1080? I have already tried the Terminal command to change the value of system LCD font smoothing which makes no difference. I have also tried changing the sharpness, contrast and other settings on the monitor and also different HDMI cables just in case it might have been that, makes no difference either.

Cheers.

For anyone else reading this in the future:
  • Tested monitor on two different computers with HDMI and VGA cable - the same.
  • Tried MacBook Air over HDMI with the Ruby script to make sure OS X was detecting the monitor correctly; was actually worse after I had done this. So OS X is detecting the monitor correctly from the start.
  • Tested MacBook Air over VGA; no better. In fact, text / graphics were blurry over VGA. Perhaps OS X thinking it was a TV over VGA?
Conclusion: Just the way the monitor is at this resolution.
 
Last edited:
It is due to the "big" pixel size on that size of display, normally 1920 x 1080 pixel monitors are 21" to 22" big and 27" displays, good displays or more expensive ones, have a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixel, which offers 1.77 times more resolution than 1080p.

I have a 24" Dell Ultrasharp display with 1920 x 1200 pixel and while that display is quite good, one can easily discern the pixelation when looking at text.

Either you return the display and get a better one and spend 50 or even 100 % more to get a good 22" or 24" display with a proper resolution or you have to live with it, if you want a big display for the size.
Or if you want to have the size and a good pixel density, a 27" display with 2560 x 1440 pixel will cost you at least 400 €, though you might find cheaper ones via eBay or Amazon.
 
It's because it's a 1080p on a 27" screen. You need to be looking at monitors with at least 2560x1440 to get a nice sharp image at 27" unless you plan on sitting about 10 feet away then the 1080p might look somewhat ok.
 
I've tested several computers running Ubuntu (one Dell, one HP) and both exhibit the same behaviour. I was under an assumption it might have been the resolution - seeing as my old monitor was 23" and has the same resolution as my new 27" monitor. I guess I will need to get used to it. Thank you both for your help :).
 
I take exception to what others posted above about the 1920x1080 display on a 27" screen.

I'm using that myself, no pixelation problems and the screen is very clear.

I -do- see a possible problem with the connection between your Mac and monitor, where the Mac is "seeing" the monitor "as a tv" and not as a monitor. There are other threads here at MR that discuss how to "force" the Mac to see the connection as a monitor, and not as a tv.

Those talking about pixelation are probably young folks with good eyes. At age 64, with aging eyes, the "mid-rez" 27" display literally "hits the spot" with me. I can run it at "full" (i.e. normal) resolution, without having to increase text sizes which would distort web pages, etc.

Last thought:
Does your display have inputs -other than- the HDMI?
If so, try connecting to them instead.
You may find that even a VGA connection will provide a much "cleaner" output. I'm using a minidisplayport-to-VGA adapter with my late-2012 Mac Mini, works just fine....
 
Fishrrman said:
I take exception to what others posted above about the 1920x1080 display on a 27" screen.

I'm using that myself, no pixelation problems and the screen is very clear.

I -do- see a possible problem with the connection between your Mac and monitor, where the Mac is "seeing" the monitor "as a tv" and not as a monitor. There are other threads here at MR that discuss how to "force" the Mac to see the connection as a monitor, and not as a tv.

Those talking about pixelation are probably young folks with good eyes. At age 64, with aging eyes, the "mid-rez" 27" display literally "hits the spot" with me. I can run it at "full" (i.e. normal) resolution, without having to increase text sizes which would distort web pages, etc.

Last thought:
Does your display have inputs -other than- the HDMI?
If so, try connecting to them instead.
You may find that even a VGA connection will provide a much "cleaner" output. I'm using a minidisplayport-to-VGA adapter with my late-2012 Mac Mini, works just fine....
Click to expand...

I may consider trying a VGA connection as I did think about doing this before. However I should mention I tested the HP over VGA and Dell over both VGA and HDMI, and in all cases I had experienced similar quality.

Out of interest I have tried the Ruby script and it actually made the problem worse - I am assuming OS X is already detecting my monitor correctly by default.

From all the testing I have done I think I can safely conclude it is just the way the monitor is at this screen size and resolution. I will test over VGA though, just to make sure.

Thank you for everyone's replies. I very much appreciate the help you've given.
 
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