Second display everything is bigger, same res

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Level 1

8 points

Second display everything is bigger, same res

Using a iMac 21.5, late 2013. I have a second 23 inch display connected and everything on it is slightly bigger.

Both the iMac and my 2nd display are set to 1920 x 1080 resolution.

It seems that my 2nd display is making everything bigger to fit the screen. I tried using underscan but the sharpness/quality goes down and everything is less clear.

When I open say a finder window and drag it to maximum width and height on my 21.5 inch imac then move that over to the 23 inch monitor it fills the screen completely. Should a bigger screen not be able to display more? if it makes sense.

Have tried the built in display settings on the 2nd monitor but nothing works.

Just want to be able to have the 2nd monitor show the same size as my iMac without losing quality.

Posted on Sep 28, 2016 5:51 PM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

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250,259 points

Sep 28, 2016 7:39 PM in response to Ted_talks

Try setting the 23" to 1920*1200.

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Answer 2

Ted_talks Author

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Sep 30, 2016 8:08 PM in response to BDAqua

the highest resolution i can choose is 1080p (i tired going to display> then holding down alt and clicking on scaled)

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Answer 3

BDAqua

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Oct 1, 2016 6:46 AM in response to Ted_talks

So, is 1920*1200 not available in Scaled, or doesn't help?

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Answer 4

Ted_talks Author

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Oct 1, 2016 5:06 PM in response to BDAqua

not available, i only get 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p...1344 x 1008 etc going lower

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Answer 5

den.thed

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92,470 points

Oct 1, 2016 5:37 PM in response to Ted_talks

What adapter and cable connection are you using...?

(Mini DisplayPort to Display Port, HDMI, DVI-D or VGA)

And what other inputs does your 23" display offer....?

I would check to see if Display Menu from the App Store makes any difference.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/display-menu/id549083868?mt=12

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Answer 6

Ted_talks Author

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Oct 4, 2016 3:57 PM in response to den.thed

Im currently using HDMI cable plugged into the 23inch display then that is plugged into mini displayport which is connected to my imac.

The other inputs using the Display Menu app shows: 1920x1080 60.0hz which is the one its currently showing its on.

then 1920x1080 50.0hz, 1600x900, 1344x756, 1280x720.... etc getting smaller as the list goes on.

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Answer 7

den.thed

Level 10

92,470 points

Oct 1, 2016 8:14 PM in response to Ted_talks

The HDMI connection is holding you back to (1080P) 1920 x 1080.

Because you did not say what other input connections the 23" Display has, it is hard to advise you on a better adapter and cable setup.

However, if native resolution for that 23" monitor is 1920 x 1200..? Then you should be able to get the full resolution like BDAqua suggest's, by using a Mini DisplayPort to DVI-D or VGA adapter and the corresponding cable instead of HDMI.

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Answer 8

Ted_talks Author

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8 points

Oct 2, 2016 2:35 PM in response to den.thed

Sorry forgot to mention it does have a VGA output, but i have checked the monitors specs (aoc i2369vm) and the max res says 1920x1080 so am i just stuck with it being slightly bigger on the 23 inch screen? or is there another way around it? thanks

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Answer 9

den.thed

Level 10

92,470 points

Oct 2, 2016 5:39 PM in response to Ted_talks

Nope' the only way to perfectly match, is to use the same resolution and size displays.

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