4k monitor looks blurry when consuming 1080p footage

[kanishkdudeja]

I have a 4K monitor (Dell U2718Q) and it works well with my Macbook Pro 15.

However, when I connect the same monitor to Dell Inspiron 3493 (through an HDMI cable), the text looks really blurry. The Dell Inspiron 3493 laptop can only output at 1920*1080 at 60hz.

I expected it to look decent since I believed the monitor would need to upscale by a factor of 4 (2*2)(integer, not fractional scaling), as a result of which things should look fine. However, the text looks extremely blurry.

I read this thread and this doesn't seem to suggest any concrete solutions too: https://superuser.com/questions/1449343/...resolution

The Dell laptop's graphic card supports 4k@60hz, however, it's a limitation of the motherboard that it can only output at 1920*1080@60hz. Therefore, I don't think upgrading the graphics card would fix the issue.

Is there a solution other than buying a 1080p monitor?

I needed to buy a second monitor anyway, so I would prefer to buy a 4k monitor which can support this upscaling perfectly? Since I would like to make a decision which is future proof (in case I get rid of my Dell laptop and purchase another laptop which can output at 4k@60hz).

[ToastyX]

The Dell Inspiron 3493 has a 10th generation Intel processor, which should support integer scaling: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/...phics.html

Another option is to use 3840x2160 @ 30 Hz. In theory, 3840x2160 @ 60 Hz with YCbCr 4:2:0 should also be possible, but I don't know if Intel's driver supports that.

I created an extension block with 3840x2160 @ 30 Hz and 60 Hz with YCbCr 4:2:0. Try importing this with CRU:

  hdmi-4k.dat (Size: 553 bytes / Downloads: 336)

[kanishkdudeja]

Thanks for helping out.

> The Dell Inspiron 3493 has a 10th generation Intel processor, which should support integer scaling: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/...phics.html

I enabled this from within Intel's graphic command center and it didn't make a difference. I presume this was so because it only makes a difference to games (?) and I'm not a gamer, I just use the monitor for office work. So, I'm just trying to fix the blurry text in the Chrome browser.

> Another option is to use 3840x2160 @ 30 Hz. In theory, 3840x2160 @ 60 Hz with YCbCr 4:2:0 should also be possible, but I don't know if Intel's driver supports that.

I will try this and keep you posted. Thanks!

[ToastyX]

(11-20-2020 03:37 PM)kanishkdudeja Wrote:  I enabled this from within Intel's graphic command center and it didn't make a difference. I presume this was so because it only makes a difference to games (?) and I'm not a gamer, I just use the monitor for office work. So, I'm just trying to fix the blurry text in the Chrome browser.

I just realized if 3840x2160 is not available, it won't have a resolution to scale to, so that won't work. It's sending 1080p to the monitor, and the monitor is doing the blurry scaling. That monitor doesn't seem to have any options for 1:1 or integer scaling, but there is a sharpness option that might help.

[kanishkdudeja]

(11-20-2020 04:06 PM)ToastyX Wrote:  

(11-20-2020 03:37 PM)kanishkdudeja Wrote:  I enabled this from within Intel's graphic command center and it didn't make a difference. I presume this was so because it only makes a difference to games (?) and I'm not a gamer, I just use the monitor for office work. So, I'm just trying to fix the blurry text in the Chrome browser.

I just realized if 3840x2160 is not available, it won't have a resolution to scale to, so that won't work. It's sending 1080p to the monitor, and the monitor is doing the blurry scaling. That monitor doesn't seem to have any options for 1:1 or integer scaling, but there is a sharpness option that might help.

Hmmm, I'll try checking out the sharpness option.

Are there any 4k monitors which can do non-blurry scaling from 1080p to 4k? Since I'd like to future proof my monitor purchase.

[ToastyX]

(11-20-2020 04:10 PM)kanishkdudeja Wrote:  Are there any 4k monitors which can do non-blurry scaling from 1080p to 4k? Since I'd like to future proof my monitor purchase.

I wouldn't know, but you should be able to get 3840x2160 @ 30 Hz with that laptop at least.

[kanishkdudeja]

(11-20-2020 04:53 PM)ToastyX Wrote:  

(11-20-2020 04:10 PM)kanishkdudeja Wrote:  Are there any 4k monitors which can do non-blurry scaling from 1080p to 4k? Since I'd like to future proof my monitor purchase.

I wouldn't know, but you should be able to get 3840x2160 @ 30 Hz with that laptop at least.

Hmmm, I'll definitely try that out and keep you posted.

Although, I wouldn't prefer 30hz since it does feel a little choppy while scrolling/animations.