Can you get widescreen resolution from VGA connected to HDTV?

Question

I have a 21 inch BRAVIA Smart TV and I am, more often than not, using it as a monitor for my desktop. I have used a VGA connector to connect the desktop and screen. But the problem is that I get a resolution that is 1024x768 (square screen resolution) which is stretched on the TV to fill screen.

Is there a way to connect via VGA and get a widescreen resolution like 1366x768 or larger (if supported by the display)?

I have heard about this problem's resolution by using an HDMI cable, but my desktop doesn't have that port. So, if I use an HDMI converter on the VGA cable and connect it to my TV, will I get widescreen resolution?

Solution

if I use a HDMI converter on the VGA cable and connect to my TV, will I get widescreen resolution?

No. Not automatically, and/or if the problem is the fact that you are using VGA in the first place.

This is simply because a converter cannot introduce more data than is already there; it can only convert the data that is already there to some other form. For example, a VGA input to a HDMI output. The adapter would have no way of knowing what to display on the additional 281,088 pixels.

However, VGA is perfectly capable of supporting the resolution you want at reasonable refresh rates. Something else is wrong with your setup.

I would recommend starting out with installing the latest drivers for your graphics card from the manufacturer.

Comments

[Admin]

One of my computers is hooked up to an HDTV using a VGA interface and I have no issues with 1080p - widescreen 1920x1080. I would check the manual that came with the HDTV. Some TV's limit the VGA signal they will accept. It may be hard-coded in the TV to only go up to a certain resolution with VGA while the HDMI ports will do full 1080p and such.

[Anuj Batwe]

My desktop is kind of old. I use an MSI motherboard but could not find relevant drivers. Is there a general driver that I can use?

[user]

@AnujBatwe That is a completely separate question, which shouldn't be asked in a comment (it doesn't seek clarification or suggest improvement of this answer, in the context of this question) but rather separately. Unfortunately, it would likely be closed as a product or service recommendation question, which we consider to be off topic. If you are unable to locate drivers, your best bet might be to contact MSI and ask them.