Widescreen Gaming Forum

I was wondering, when was the first commercial widescreen monitor available? Also, the first games that supported widescreen aspect ratio? (no just stretching)

Anyone knows?
My guess for the latter would be some Windows' puzzle game.

Come to thing of it, perhaps games like Solitaire should not be counted.

The oldest WSGF Certified game is Total Annihilation, which was released in 1997. It's essentially a 2D game, and while the game is better in widescreen, it's unlikely that it was specifically intended to be that way. The screen change is based on resolution, not aspect ratio.

The oldest *3D* WSGF Certified game is Enclave, released in 2002. Its screen change is based on aspect ratio. The wider your monitor, the more you see.

The oldest game that supports multiple aspect ratios both correctly and intentionally is Command & Conquer, released in 1995. It has a 4:3 mode and a 16:10 mode. It's anamorphic 16:10, which means the 4:3 mode has black bars and the 16:10 mode doesn't.

The oldest 3D game that supports multiple aspect ratios is Dark Forces II: Jedi Knight, released in 1997. Also released in 1997 is Dungeon Keeper, but JK2's support is better because it supports more resolutions. Both of these games are vert -.

As for first monitor... probably one of the old weighs-a-frickin'-ton Sony or IBM CRT monitors. First TFT? Apple Cinema Display.

Yeah those 24" Sony WS CRTs were and still are quite nice monitors too, and made under the HP name as well. There were quite a few of them available on Ebay for around $225 with a 2 yr warranty.

Yeah those 24" Sony WS CRTs were and still are quite nice monitors too, and made under the HP name as well. There were quite a few of them available on Ebay for around $225 with a 2 yr warranty.

I am happy with mine. 8)

What's their max resolution? Refresh rate?

Optimal native is 1920x1200. The refresh for 1920x1200 is 85.

They can display any (4:3, 16:9, 16:10, whatever) resolution under that.

It lists 2304 x 1440 as the max resolution. This usually means 1920x1440 as the max unless you have a wierd setup.

The Sony could do 1920x1200. I can't remember at what refresh rate. Either 60Hz or 72.

So, my guess is that as all CRTs the screen is actualy a bit smaller, right?
Any idea how much it weighs?
Just curious.

It weighed close to 100lbs.

That's about 45kg.