Does FSX run in Widescreen?

[IndioBlack]

I have a 22" widescreen monitor connected to my PC, and was wondering if FSX will run in a widescreen mode out of the box.
Some Flight Games like WINGS OVER EUROPE and FIRST EAGLES have the option to select 16x10 or 16x9 Widescreen mode from within the game; other Flight Sims like IL-2 1946 require delving into the config file. So I'd like to know how FSX handles it.

[Meck]

I run FSX on my 16:9 Notebook screen. You can adjust the screen resolution in the FSX settings. Just have a look if your's is listed...

[IndioBlack]

Thanks. I can't check, because I haven't bought it yet - I'm still weighing up pros and cons. Widescreen is a big pro.

[Meck]

Ah, ok! So correct me if I'm wrong anybody, but I think FSX is true widescreen capable!

[Daube]

Yes it runs in real widescreen, I use it on my 22" widescreen and the view is amazing.

[Meck]

thx for confirming  ;)

[Fr. Bill]

Just to be 100% accurate...

Any program will "run" on a widescreen monitor...  ;D

The real question is, does it display properly?  8-)

The answer is a qualified yes...

All Views will display perfectly except the 2d Panel View. That's because the 2d panels are designed for 4:3 ratio monitors and will be stretched out of shape horizontally when displayed on a widescreen monitor.

Some add on developers -both feeware and payware- are now providing panel configurations for both normal and widescreen users, but it is still not a "standard practice."

Actually, I suspect that the trend in the future will be to switch to widescreen formatted panels as it's nearly impossible these days to even find a 'normal' LCD monitor, and the old tube driven monitors are even harder to buy new...  ;D

[NitroPower]

Ah, ok! So correct me if I'm wrong anybody, but I think FSX is true widescreen capable!

Not only that, but it can run multiple screens!

[NickN]

you must edit the FSX.cfg file and change the line to:


[Display]
WideViewAspect=True

[tcco94]

Yeah I run mine on a 24" Widescreen

[IndioBlack]

you must edit the FSX.cfg file and change the line to:


[Display]
WideViewAspect=True

Ah well, that was what I was asking: Does it do Widescreen out of the box?
Answer=No

So thank you NickN, for providing what I'm hoping is the correct answer; which thankfully, appears to be quite a simple adjustment from the sound of it.

[packercolinl]

Mine runs fine straight out of the box on a 22" LCD :-?

[NickN]

you must edit the FSX.cfg file and change the line to:


[Display]
WideViewAspect=True

Ah well, that was what I was asking: Does it do Widescreen out of the box?
Answer=No

So thank you NickN, for providing what I'm hoping is the correct answer; which thankfully, appears to be quite a simple adjustment from the sound of it.

Thats correct.. you will not get the right zoom and aspect ratio by default. You must scroll down the FSX.cfg file and change

[Display]
WideViewAspect=FALSE

to

[Display]
WideViewAspect=True

then start FSX and set your monitor resolution correctly in the Graphics settings. Its always best to run the same as you do with the windows desktop so make sure the desktop settings are right and you are set in FSX

[IndioBlack]

Well, I think Fr.Bell hit the nail on the head when he said "the real question is does it display properly?"

I really didn't want to get into any pedantic discussions, just in case I sounded pompous and condescending. I tried to keep my question simple, in the hope that someone who was actually flying FSX on a widescreen monitor would instantly understand what I was asking, and be able to respond in detail.

If someone had asked "does WINGS OVER EUROPE run in widescreen straight out of the box?", I would have answered: "Yes. When you go to the options screen to choose your monitor resolution, there is an aspect ratio box that allows you to select 4:3, 16:10 or 16:9".

Now packercolini seems to be telling me that he just installs FSX and it somehow detects that he's running a 22" widescreen LCD. Whereas NickN tells me that in order to get widescreen I would have to edit the FSX.cfg file. It would be useful to know which of these cases is true.

However, the really important thing is that people are telling me that FSX seems to display properly in Widescreen. So that's a positive push towards me buying it.

Thanks for your responses.

[Fr. Bill]

you must edit the FSX.cfg file and change the line to:
[Display]
WideViewAspect=True

Nick, that entry effects only the 3d system. It adjusts the "out the window" aspect ratio when in 2d panel view, as well as the aspect ratio of any other view.

It has ZERO effect on the 2d panel itself, which will continue to be stretched horizontally resulting in oval gauge faces.