Determine "Recommended" display resolution settings

Question

Determine "Recommended" display resolution settings

Dave Cotton 41

Got the code that gets a list of the monitors (using EnumDisplayDevices) along with getting all the settings (using EnumDisplaySettings) for each monitor working just fine.

However, when I right click my desktop and adjust the resolution one of the settings is tagged as being "Recommended." Also, interestingly, for that particular resolution, EnumDisplaySettings lists 5 settings (all properties the same except frequency) available. 30, 29, 25, 24, and 23. And when I select the "recommended" setting it selects the frequency 29. (determined using the get current setting option).

I want to know why it picked that one. What criteria is it using?

Additionally, in the display setting code I've found (quite helpful BTW for adjusting your desktop for an online meeting) it has of course an error catching routine with multiple possible error results. But, somehow Windows knows which settings will work. If I could filter the list that would be great.

TIA

Castorix31 90,681 Reputation points

2023-10-04T08:19:54.33+00:00

On my OS, I get the same resolution as recommended when PreferredTiming = 1 (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/ddi/d3dkmthk/ns-d3dkmthk-_d3dkmdt_displaymode_flags)

but maybe it is a coincidence...

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Castorix31 90,681 Reputation points

2023-10-04T08:19:54.33+00:00

On my OS, I get the same resolution as recommended when PreferredTiming = 1 (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/ddi/d3dkmthk/ns-d3dkmthk-_d3dkmdt_displaymode_flags)

but maybe it is a coincidence...

Answer 1

Anonymous

Hi @Dave Cotton , Welcome to Microsoft Q&A,

First, the refresh rates for a specific resolution supported by different monitors are usually different. While the refresh rate for a specific resolution may be the same in some cases, not all monitors support the same refresh rate options. Some monitors support multiple refresh rates at a specific resolution.

Typically, Windows considers a variety of factors to choose recommended settings:

Your monitor's maximum resolution: Windows recognizes your monitor's maximum resolution and lists it as a recommended resolution because it's the highest quality setting the monitor is capable of.

Monitor refresh rate: Windows will try to choose the refresh rate that best matches your monitor to provide the smoothest image display. That's why you see different refresh rates (e.g. 29, 30, 25, etc.).

Graphics card performance: Windows will consider the performance of your graphics card to choose the appropriate resolution and refresh rate. Certain resolutions and refresh rates may require higher-performance graphics cards to run properly, so Windows may choose the best settings for your hardware.

System Preferences: Windows also considers system preferences and settings previously selected by the user to determine recommended settings.

Best Regards,

Jiale

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Dave Cotton 41 Reputation points

2023-10-03T15:43:11.73+00:00

Removed
Dave Cotton 41 Reputation points

2023-10-03T15:52:16.26+00:00

To be more specific, I'm hoping for another (possibly) Pinvoke method that returns information that would allow me to determine that at resolution W x H, that a frequency of X is more compatible with the hardware than Y.
Anonymous

2023-10-04T02:26:22.1433333+00:00

Hi @Dave Cotton ,

Typically, the lower the refresh rate at a specific resolution, the fewer resources it requires and the more stable it is.

General hardware uses 60hz as the standard. You can return the list to 60hz for comparison.

Choose the closest refresh rate. Is this approach acceptable to you?
Dave Cotton 41 Reputation points

2023-10-04T16:02:45.52+00:00

Not a matter of it being acceptable, more a matter of what is capable. If this is the best that can be done, that is what I need to live with.
Anonymous

2023-10-05T02:17:39.8266667+00:00

Hi @Dave Cotton ,yes. If the answer is the right solution, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".
Dave Cotton 41 Reputation points

2023-10-09T16:53:57.2166667+00:00

I will be specific. This does not answer the question. Going back to the original question, clearly I want to implement the same functionality that MS has implemented.
Castorix31 90,681 Reputation points

2023-10-10T08:05:16.21+00:00

Did you test PreferredTiming to see if it matches the recommended resolution, as I commented ?
Anonymous

2023-10-10T08:15:47.9566667+00:00

Hi @Dave Cotton , At present, there is no good encapsulated method for you to call directly. Logically, the fewer resources consumed, the more stable. You can compare the target values, and the smallest difference is recommended. Thanks for your understanding.
Dave Cotton 41 Reputation points

2023-10-18T15:46:53.4433333+00:00

@Castorix31 I'm currently investigating this option. Having some difficulty getting the marshalling to C# correct. Currently trying to create a C++ DLL that wraps the the needed methods and supports COM. Which I believe will make it easier to reference from C#.
Castorix31 90,681 Reputation points

2023-10-18T16:14:33.0266667+00:00

Ah yes, P/Invoke declarations are not easy (but you can find some on Github)

or you can do like I did, a quick test in a C++/Win32 app on a button click (just to see the result; if it has no meaning, no need to translate into C#...)

(otherwise I could post my C++ test (draft code atm))

Or maybe someone from MS could check the source code to see how Display Settings chooses the recommended resolution...

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Determine "Recommended" display resolution settings

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