Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Using Samsung LCD TV LN40A550 as a Monitor

Feb 5, 2009 1:45AM PST

Hello,

I currently have an LN40A550 TV and a Dell laptop computer. I have plugged my laptop using the VGA serial cord into the PC input of my TV. I get a display, nowever the aspect ratios are not correct. When I go into my display settings it is only allowing me two aspect ratios to chose from (800 x 600 or 1024 x 76Cool. My computer only recognizes the TV as a "default monitor" ...it makes no mention that it is a samsung 550. Is there anyway I can get different aspect ratios so the display doesn't look stretch and I can get a display with 1080p?

Thank you for your time.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Cable!
Feb 5, 2009 2:20AM PST

If the TV is only being detected as a Default or Plug and Play monitor, I'd suspect the cable. Look at the connector on the cable, are there any pins missing (there should be 15)? A lot of cables seem to omit the pins necessary for the monitor to communicate its supported modes to the computer, probably as a cost saving measure.

There's some discussion from somebody that started cutting open cables in this thread:
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-13973_102-0.html?forumID=146&threadID=319407&start=0&tag=forum-w;forums06

- Collapse -
Monitor displays P. 42
Feb 5, 2009 7:20AM PST

sorryseed,

Page 42 lists out the available resolutions for each cable.

I'd definitely recommend making sure your video drivers are all up to date also; though some will have limitations.

Keep me posted.

--HDTech

- Collapse -
p. 42?
Feb 6, 2009 3:26AM PST

I'm sorry ...p. 42 of the samsung manual I assume?

- Collapse -
yes
Feb 7, 2009 10:18AM PST

The manual that came with the TV.

--HDTech