Is a 22 inch monitor @ 1680 x 1050 considered to be wide screen as far as FSX is concerned? I ask because I recently have noticed after rebuilding my CFG that I forgot to set WideViewAspect back to true which is where I have had it. I sometimes get slightly distorted views with it set to true meaning the image seems a bit stretched. If I leave it at the default I dont see this happen and all views seem to be more in proportion. What do you guys think about it?

1680x1050 is a widescreen aspect (16:10) However after a bit of experimentation I think wideviewaspect=true/false is a matter of personal preference. For example I prefer to keep it set to false and fly at .30 or .40 zoomWith =true set this introduces a massive fishbowl effect, so to each their own.

1680X1050 is definitely widescreen. What you're actually doing with that setting is extending the horizontal field of view.Check out the screens and stuff here:http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/wiki/FAQI personally think it looks a ton better with the setting at True. You do see more in the periphery when in the VC etc.

I guess that to really compare False with True you have to try False on a none-widescreen and True on a widescreen... Comparing both on one screen just can't be done (because you won't really see the actual extension of the horizontal field of view).Having said that: I used to use False with a zoom of .69 on my 1680x1050 monitor, but some time ago I switched to True with a zoom of .89: this almost gives the same kind of view overall, but somehow it just looks a bit better (even though it's hardly noticable). I wouldn't switch between False and True without changing the zoom, because then True looks odd to me (it's not simply a wider view but also zoomed out a lot more). But that, of course, is due to the fact that I am comparing both modes on the same widescreen...I wonder what zoom value others use with 1680x1050 and True!

Hmm, that's interesting Jeroen. I have same size monitor as you and did not like using 'true' because I felt it was too wide of a view if that makes sense. But, as you suggested, I did not try increasing my zoom and probably kept it at the .40 that I like to fly with 'false' enabled. I will have to try it again at higher zoom settings.

1680x1050 is a widescreen aspect (16:10) However after a bit of experimentation I think wideviewaspect=true/false is a matter of personal preference. For example I prefer to keep it set to false and fly at .30 or .40 zoomWith =true set this introduces a massive fishbowl effect, so to each their own.

Sam- Zooming out certainly increases the lateral Field of View - but it also affects distance and speed, drift and yaw perception. At .40 zoom, an 8000' runway that is 2 miles distant, will appear to be 20,000' in length and 5 miles distant. Since Time is not changed when zooming, the aircraft speed will seem to accelerate to fit the changed view and a 150 Knot approach speed will also seem to be about 375 Knots !It's like driving your car looking thru' binoculars the wrong way. NOT conducive to smooth landings.Panning left or right is a better way to broaden your peripheral view. Better still- multiple monitors and views.Alex ReidTurning Final R27 CYYJ

Having said that: I used to use False with a zoom of .69 on my 1680x1050 monitor, but some time ago I switched to True with a zoom of .89: this almost gives the same kind of view overall, but somehow it just looks a bit better (even though it's hardly noticable). I wouldn't switch between False and True without changing the zoom, because then True looks odd to me (it's not simply a wider view but also zoomed out a lot more). But that, of course, is due to the fact that I am comparing both modes on the same widescreen...

But, as you suggested, I did not try increasing my zoom and probably kept it at the .40 that I like to fly with 'false' enabled. I will have to try it again at higher zoom settings.

I have a 20in monitor running at 1600x900 (that is widescreen right?) and WideViewAspect to True. I was always told that in VC to leave the viewpoint set at 1.00 because although it may seem as though you are sitting right on top of the panel that is how it is in real life. Then last summer I went up in a C172 and found that I did sit only a foot away or so from the panel and spent most of my time looking out the front window with only the very top of the panel in my field of view. I wish I had taken a picture of my exact viewpoint but from what I remember my peripheral vision wasn't too great (blocked by the wings) and I could see just over the nose of the plane (I'm 5' 10"). So from this experience I think setting WideViewAspect to True does provide a nice sense of peripheral vision. Hope this helps with figuring out what setting to useDoes anybody know whether setting your viewpoint farther back to .89 or .40 provides increased realism?RegardsAlex

Does anybody know whether setting your viewpoint farther back to .89 or .40 provides increased realism?RegardsAlex

I run a 23" at 1920X1080 and I find that in the VC I tend to keep the zoom it set to .79, but then I will use the arrow keys to move my eyepoint forward or backward in the seat depending on the a/c I am flying. For the outside view .79 seems to be about right for me, but unless I slide the seat forward I feel like I am flying from the jump seat. Fortunately, using EZdok once I get a view point set that I like I can just save it, then adjust it again if needed.

Sam- Zooming out certainly increases the lateral Field of View - but it also affects distance and speed, drift and yaw perception. At .40 zoom, an 8000' runway that is 2 miles distant, will appear to be 20,000' in length and 5 miles distant. Since Time is not changed when zooming, the aircraft speed will seem to accelerate to fit the changed view and a 150 Knot approach speed will also seem to be about 375 Knots !It's like driving your car looking thru' binoculars the wrong way. NOT conducive to smooth landings.Panning left or right is a better way to broaden your peripheral view. Better still- multiple monitors and views.Alex ReidTurning Final R27 CYYJ

Alex,I am glad to read your post. I have 22" with 1680X1050 WS monitor.I am experiencing same incorrect zoom view as you described " It's like driving your car looking thru' binoculars the wrong way. "I try to correct with Hold Space bar and adjust with -/+, but if I change the screens, I have to do view zoom adjustment all over again.1-What will be the proper settings?2-Where shall I put the proper settings? If its going to be in FSX Cfg. Which line I should change?Thanks

Alex,I am glad to read your post. I have 22" with 1680X1050 WS monitor.I am experiencing same incorrect zoom view as you described " It's like driving your car looking thru' binoculars the wrong way. "I try to correct with Hold Space bar and adjust with -/+, but if I change the screens, I have to do view zoom adjustment all over again.1-What will be the proper settings?2-Where shall I put the proper settings? If its going to be in FSX Cfg. Which line I should change?Thanks

ahmet- sounds like you are using FSX- my knowledge is limited to FS9 where I set Zoom for any View by a mouseclick on that view, then using the + or - keys. Once set, the zoom remains until I change it, including saved flights. Cfg isn't used for this in FS9. Have you checked the FSX Help for info on Zoom?To restore to 1.0 zoom I use the Backspace key. With triple views, use of zoom is rare since it gives me a wide view all the time! . One use for zoom, is for correcting for different sizes of monitor in a multiple mon configuration.Alex Reid

ahmet- sounds like you are using FSX- my knowledge is limited to FS9 where I set Zoom for any View by a mouseclick on that view, then using the + or - keys. Once set, the zoom remains until I change it, including saved flights. Cfg isn't used for this in FS9. Have you checked the FSX Help for info on Zoom?To restore to 1.0 zoom I use the Backspace key. With triple views, use of zoom is rare since it gives me a wide view all the time! . One use for zoom, is for correcting for different sizes of monitor in a multiple mon configuration.Alex Reid

Yes, I am using FSX and regardless what I have done, it does not hold zoom. I will try FSX group.Thanks

ahmet- sounds like you are using FSX- my knowledge is limited to FS9 where I set Zoom for any View by a mouseclick on that view, then using the + or - keys. Once set, the zoom remains until I change it, including saved flights. Cfg isn't used for this in FS9. Have you checked the FSX Help for info on Zoom?To restore to 1.0 zoom I use the Backspace key. With triple views, use of zoom is rare since it gives me a wide view all the time! . One use for zoom, is for correcting for different sizes of monitor in a multiple mon configuration.Alex Reid

Yes, I am using FSX and regardless what I have done, it does not hold zoom. I will try FSX group.Thanks