How much time of you spend in "True VGA" mode??

Boxster S · 11-18-04, 02:51 AM

After trying out the "true VGA mode" with SE_VGA, I can't bare to look at the "horrid" standard VGA mode. It absolutely kills me.

So I spend about 95% of my time in True VGA mode now. The only time I switch back to normal mode is when I need to play Worms or some other game (Worms won't track properly for me with SE_VGA).

Adrian Knack · 11-18-04, 03:16 AM

Now I have not played with my X50v yet so I don't know what either view looks like (it is back in Australia 13 000 mile away). But I got the impression that just about everyone here was using SE_VGA or ozVGA to get true VGA on thier PDAs. I also get the impression it has caused some issues with certain programs. I guess I need to download one of these programs and try it if it is so much better.

tsaimelv · 11-18-04, 03:35 AM

SE_VGA is annoying to use all the time, IMO. I only switch it to true VGA mode when I am doing long-term web browsing or doing serious writing with textmaker or pocket word with my bluetooth keyboard. For the majority of things, the standard mode is fine IMO.

Wayne Mahon · 11-18-04, 08:08 AM

If I could have more control over the font sizes , like on the program menu and start menu, then I would use it more. Brute force takes care of those apps I really want to use it in. Except PIE :\

ironchef · 11-18-04, 04:47 PM

Jah, what Wayne said.

jusu · 11-18-04, 07:02 PM

If I only could get Internet explorer to show images the same way as SE_VGA I probably would not use real vga mode that often. Now it's pretty much a must for browsing, text editing or reading pdfs (although here you can use the high res resource file trick)

11-18-04, 08:26 PM

What is the default mode? VGA or QVGA?
How do you change modes? I turned on the X50v and it looks terrific. The standard applications look good. Web pages look great, too. Does it get better?
I can see pixilation under a magnifying glass.

I've seen mention of SE_VGA, but am not sure where you get it, and what you do with it.

I'm clueless & pleased with the current mode.

11-18-04, 08:54 PM

i use the original QVGA mode the most often, only when i need to surf websites will i ever need to run VGA mode (which is quite rarely, to be honest).

11-18-04, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by FBL

What is the default mode? VGA or QVGA?
How do you change modes? I turned on the X50v and it looks terrific. The standard applications look good. Web pages look great, too. Does it get better?
I can see pixilation under a magnifying glass.

I've seen mention of SE_VGA, but am not sure where you get it, and what you do with it.

I'm clueless & pleased with the current mode.

Here is a link to SE_VGA on PocketGear. Gotta love freeware :)

I don't have an X50V but as far as I know you are running in QVGA mode unless you install a hack such as SE_VGA to "turn on" the VGA that your display is capable of. I wish I could explain it better, but I am not that saavy about the technicalities of VGA.

tsaimelv · 11-19-04, 12:00 AM

Um, somebody more knowledgeable can correct me if I'm wrong, but the x50v does not have a "QVGA mode" in the same way that the x30 etc does. It's more of a hybrid between true VGA and QVGA, because the basic windows graphics elements (fonts, menus, on-screen keyboard, etc.) take advantage of the higher resolution, and so do many applications (you can set the fonts to 5 points in ListPro, for example, and they are still somewhat readable... try that on an x30). Cleartype is another example, this is not possible unless Windows Mobile knows that it's using a true VGA display.

In some cases the x50v "seems" like its running in a pixel-quadrupled QVGA mode because of the inconsistency in which the VGA resolution is used by the operating system. Pocket Internet Explorer's handling of images is an example, there is no reason why it can't have a mode where images are sized 1:1 with the VGA screen's capability, but microsoft left this out.

SE_VGA doesn't turn QVGA into VGA mode, it turns the x50v's semi-VGA mode into true VGA.

jusu · 11-19-04, 04:15 AM

Originally Posted by tsaimelv

In some cases the x50v "seems" like its running in a pixel-quadrupled QVGA mode because of the inconsistency in which the VGA resolution is used by the operating system. Pocket Internet Explorer's handling of images is an example, there is no reason why it can't have a mode where images are sized 1:1 with the VGA screen's capability, but microsoft left this out.

SE_VGA doesn't turn QVGA into VGA mode, it turns the x50v's semi-VGA mode into true VGA.

I have been wondering, would there be a way to hack the PIE to display the images correctly. I actually took a look into ftxPBrowser, that can be used with the high resolution resource file hack, but it does not help for the basic rendering of images. The images are sharp only if they are resized to fit the screen, if the images are in their regular size, they look like QVGA. Well, luckily we have oZVGA and SE_VGA.

Tala · 11-19-04, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Um, somebody more knowledgeable can correct me if I'm wrong, but the x50v does not have a "QVGA mode" in the same way that the x30 etc does.

It depends. The X50v ALWAYS runs in VGA mode. It is just, that some older applications, which have not yet updated to VGA are pixel doubled.

SE_VGA force those older applications to VGA as well, which makes all of the control elements incredibly small. Personally i would not use SE_VGA unless absolutely necessary.

Tala

ivtec247 · 11-21-04, 02:15 AM

as far as I can tell, to switch between QVGA ans SE-VGA, I have to do a soft reset. Is this true? No way to do it "on the fly"?

TMann · 11-21-04, 02:25 AM

I have tried SE_VGA a couple of times on my Dell, but it gives me a headache with the small sized font, (even at their maximum size.) SE_VGA was a little more of an option on the Toshiba e805 with it's 4" screen.

I actually don't have any issues with leaving my x50v in the standard mode all of the time....EXCEPT, that three of my programs – PocketBible, eReader and Tarascon Pharmacopoiea (a drug reference) – revert to the pixlated QVGA-type display. All three are difficult to read.

Hopefully, most of the software people will get VGA compliant versions of their programs out as soon as possible.

TMann

tubablah · 11-21-04, 02:56 AM

i love true vga e\c this crazy small keyoard. dude whur did u get worms? i so want that

a_skeptic · 11-21-04, 04:26 AM

I'm always in real VGA mode with the OzVGA. :)

I'm used to small fonts. I use 1600 X 1200 resolution in my 15" laptop. But it could be harmful .... can lead to short sightedness.

naveed · 11-25-04, 06:57 PM

I love Real VGA. lts the first time, I have used a PDA to surf for longer than a minute.

Hey I use 1600x1200 on a 14" laptop!

GooberGrape · 11-26-04, 08:19 AM

Tuba - A keyboard add in like resco will take care of the small keyboard issue you have - It will remain standard size on resco.

Walter01 · 11-26-04, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by Cheryl

Here is a link to SE_VGA on PocketGear. Gotta love freeware :)

I don't have an X50V but as far as I know you are running in QVGA mode unless you install a hack such as SE_VGA to "turn on" the VGA that your display is capable of. I wish I could explain it better, but I am not that saavy about the technicalities of VGA.

QUICK QUESTION:
Which is better SE_VGA or OZVga? Are they both Beta versions? Do they both have their problems? Are they easy to uninstall if I don't like them? Thanks.

x_789 · 11-27-04, 11:05 PM

Oh man I am glad I found this thread to see I am not the only one that thinks the So Called "TRUE VGA" Is nothing more than some hype and serious strain on the eyes.. I prefer a small font but that is just to small.

I personally love the standard size and the incresed detail from the VGA screen.. That is my favorite part of the VGA screen is that in standard mode is so clear and easy to see. As for the TRue vga stuff.. SE-VGA treated me better than OZ I couldn't get back into teh settings to turn it off so I had to do a hard reset.. So not happy about that but hey this is my first ppc and I am on my 4th hard reset in as many days.. Oh well live and learn.. X

ikarus_x · 11-28-04, 01:12 AM

I spent about a week on true VGA (with SE_VGA) and now I find everything on standard vga (qvga) too big... but my eyes aren't strained... so now I'll spend time switching between qvga and vga.

I wouldn't try websurfing or PDF-viewing without true VGA though - I need to see as much as I can and the small size doesn't bother me that much anymore.

11-30-04, 11:50 AM

I just picked up a VGA aware keyboard on pocket gear, much easier to enter URLs while surfing now... Alot cheaper than the Resco keyboard

Goamo VGA keyboard
http://www.pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=16009

ooosadface · 11-30-04, 01:52 PM

97% of my time is in true VGA mode thanks to OZVga giving me total control over the fonts between the two resolutions. Also thanks to these true VGA themes (all of the ones on that page are 480x640 themes).

Quote:

x_789 - Oh man I am glad I found this thread to see I am not the only one that thinks the So Called "TRUE VGA" Is nothing more than some hype and serious strain on the eyes.. I prefer a small font but that is just to small.

x_789 - This statement couldn't be more wrong. Get the OZVga and you'll see how easy it is to switch to true VGA with fonts that suit you. Once you go to it for a week you'll have a hard time going back!

Wayne Mahon · 11-30-04, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by ooosadface

97% of my time is in true VGA mode thanks to OZVga giving me total control over the fonts between the two resolutions. Also thanks to these true VGA themes (all of the ones on that page are 480x640 themes).

x_789 - This statement couldn't be more wrong. Get the OZVga and you'll see how easy it is to switch to true VGA with fonts that suit you. Once you go to it for a week you'll have a hard time going back!

Where do you come up with this? I have yet to be able to get the fonts to be fully customizable. My start menu for one!

ooosadface · 11-30-04, 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by Wayne Mahon

Where do you come up with this? I have yet to be able to get the fonts to be fully customizable. My start menu for one!

Where I come up with it is I have been very successful at getting my fonts and scrollbars to the right size after hours of testing this one and that one and this one mixed with that one.

Built in Start menu is crap. Useless, IMO. I'm sorry I wasn't more clear. The 'New' menu pays attention to what the menu font is set at in the registry as do 100% of the application menus I've used. Only the (crap) Start menu does not. I use, and have for 3 years now, Tillanosoft's SmallMenu Plus. It also pays attention to what the menu font is supposed to be as well as gives me the control that should be availed to any PC user over their application shortcuts.

IMO, if you don't have the eyes for true VGA, go for the mid Axim X50 or better yet, the iPaq 2215. I for one did not venture for the first time to the cutting edge of technology just to view it backwards (for lack of better phraseology). True 480x640 images and video are the most crisp on my PPC in true VGA mode. That is where I am today and that is where I will be tomorrow.

Is the Start menu font the only thing you have an issue with in true VGA mode? Do the rest of the fonts follow suit like they're supposed too? If so, I would say that you too have very good control over true VGA on your PPC. :approve: