Hello, I've been seeing the switch being quite pixelated in docked mode when on the home screen in particular - it seems to be at a higher resolution when in a game. I've scoured reddit and Google, and done the usual things like set resolution to 1080p, 100% screen use, full RGB, etc. Whilst some say the home screen is natively at a lower resolution and that nothing can be done about this, the thing is, a few times in the past I've had the home screen look more crisp, seemingly of it's own volition, so I'm not sure if that's the case.
Would appreciate any advice!
#Switch looking pixelated in docked mode?
jovial void
hollow jackal
Hello, I've been seeing the switch being quite pixelated in docked mode when on ...
What was the TV/monitor's resolution and size?
And are you using the original dock/HDMI cable, AC adapter?
jovial void
Dell 22 S2240Lc 21.5" full HD (1920*1080p) monitor
Original Dock and AC adapter in use, but the hdmi cable isn't, though its worked fine and displayed a crisp image when used with my ps4
It's sort of rough around the edges, most noticeable on writing
hollow jackal
It's sort of rough around the edges, most noticeable on writing
Can you check if there's any anti-aliasing, upscaling feature in used on that monitor?
If they are, then try to toggle it on/off
jovial void
How would I check that btw? Image enhancement was off on going into settings, I turned it on but to no effect, I'll send a pic of the monitor's menu
hollow jackal
Let me do some research hmm
jovial void
Tyvm Biggy 🙂
hollow jackal
Tyvm Biggy 🙂
Is there any special setup you are using?
Like HDMI splitter or audio extractor
or HDMI to VGA adapter
jovial void
Nope, direct HDMI to the switch from the monitor, no audio extractor, just earphones attached to the switch tablet, though they're not in atm
jovial void
Sometimes when I've restarted my monitor in the past it's become crisp, but no luck atm, having tried to restart it
hollow jackal
Since it works well in games
hollow jackal
Sometimes when I've restarted my monitor in the past it's become crisp, but no l...
Your monitor only? o.o
jovial void
Hmm, you mean a switch software issue?
hollow jackal
could be but we don't know yet
jovial void
Your monitor only? o.o
Yup, so when I turn my switch off for the day, on the odd occasion I'd also turn off my monitor, when I'd next connect everything up it would appear crisp
fossil yokeBOT
Requested by BladeSpringSun#4133
jovial void
could be but we don't know yet
Ah 😦 it works fine and looks crisp in handheld mode
hollow jackal
While you are doing it, check if there's any loose cables, ports, etc...
jovial void
I'll follow this now, and will do yup, let's see it it works
hollow jackal
Tbh at first I think it was just a problem of 720p upscaling to 1080p
but then you said it can become crisp at times so I was like 0_o
jovial void
Tbh at first I think it was just a problem of 720p upscaling to 1080p
I'm thinking that's the case, I tried those steps, ensured everything is plugged in, and it's still the same unfortunately
hollow jackal
Hmm, if you want, you can test that Switch + dock on another TV/monitor
jovial void
But the issue is I've seen others also mention the same, about it becoming fine once they've restarted their monitors, so I'm leaning more towards it being a monitor issue
jovial void
Hmm, if you want, you can test that Switch + dock on another TV/monitor
I've only got a 720p TV to try it on, no other HD monitors
hollow jackal
It maybe the same because of how it is 720p and upscale into something else, in your case 1080p
hollow jackal
I've only got a 720p TV to try it on, no other HD monitors
But that one is perfect, no? 😛
It's 720p into 720p
jovial void
It maybe the same because of how it is 720p and upscale into something else, in ...
Think so yup, though in games it appears to be fine, like text is crisp, quite a stark contrast with white text in the skyrim home screen for example compared to the switch home screen
hollow jackal
If you want, test different games as well
Not all games use 1080p
Monster Hunter is 1080p 30fps IIRC
Smash is 1080p60fps
Hmm let's find a 720p game
jovial void
It's 720p into 720p
You mean to use that 720p TV instead of my monitor for gaming? 
jovial void
If you want, test different games as well
Hmmm could do
hollow jackal
You mean to use that 720p TV instead of my monitor for gaming? <:shockedbrain:79...
nah I meant to see if the menu resolution looks better
oh if you want
go to System Settings> TV Settings
then limit the resolution to 720p
jovial void
nah I meant to see if the menu resolution looks better
Ahh, well I tried changing resolution to 720p and it was the exact same, when docked on the monitor
hollow jackal
you can see how the games look like on your 1080p monitor
hollow jackal
Ahh, well I tried changing resolution to 720p and it was the exact same, when do...
I meant, if it's for the menu, then yeah, they will look the same
Let me clarify yeah?
jovial void
I meant, if it's for the menu, then yeah, they will look the same
On the home screen yup
hollow jackal
Switch's menu = 720p
Games can go up to 1080p
Your monitor is 1080p
so on the Switch's menu, it will look worse because it's upscaling 720p into 1080p
but for 1080p games, it looks OK coz that's straight up 1080p into 1080p
What I'm wondering is when you said something it looks crisp, that's interesting.
jovial void
Switch's menu = 720p
Games can go up to 1080p
I understand yup, I think games are running at their (variable or otherwise) 1080p or so resolution, it's just the varying home screen resolution, there is another potential explanation, which is I'm using extension cables to connect them to
hollow jackal
there is another potential explanation, which is I'm using extension cables to connect them to
that's the special setup I was referring to, haha
Can you test it without that extension?
jovial void
I understand yup, I think games are running at their (variable or otherwise) 108...
Like extension connected to the mains, so I theorise it could be the monitor isn't drawing enough power?
jovial void
hollow jackal
Ah nvm
jovial void
I present the potential culprit
hollow jackal
I don't think that would affect it
jovial void
Oh
hollow jackal
It's just power, everyone uses one x)
jovial void
😛
hollow jackal
How long does the crisp image linger?
jovial void
It lasts throughout the gaming session, so if it comes crisp when the switch is docked, it'll stay crisp
hollow jackal
That's the menu screen being crisp?
jovial void
Yup the menu screen
hollow jackal
Huh
I can only theorize but ya know it's random guessing
Your monitor was using some upscaling feature, and it isn't on all the time.
I don't think it's the Switch's fault, hmm
The issue is it isn't something normally you can config on the monitor
That's why I mentioned you checking through all the settings of the monitor to find features that can be turned on/off.
Sometime certain settings suit the Switch better
jovial void
Your monitor was using some upscaling feature, and it isn't on all the time.
I think the same, it's annoying that it's not possible to toggle it in the monitor menu, the only option relevant is gaming mode,which didn't do anything other than change the screen shade
hollow jackal
Maybe you can find a way to trigger it
jovial void
Image enhancement didn't do anything either, there is 16:9 screen size, with 5:4 and 4:3 available?
jovial void
Maybe you can find a way to trigger it
Hmm
hollow jackal
Ok 2 things you can try
just randomly change one settings on the monitor and see if it does anything
but remember which it is to change back
And test on all settings, don't spare anything
The 2nd thing you can do is to turn off that monitor, unplug its power cord, and wait 30s-1 min
and then turn it back on again
That's for it to run out of stored power so it may reset to actual "off" state, can fix some issues.
Oh yeah 1 more thing
jovial void
Will try the settings tweaks, I tried unplugging and turning off my monitor but that didn't work this time
hollow jackal
You can remove whatever is on the monitor and just use it with the Switch, and nothing else.
Oh and try a different HDMI port if it has more than one
jovial void
That's for it to run out of stored power so it may reset to actual "off" state, ...
Hmm
jovial void
You can remove whatever is on the monitor and just use it with the Switch, and n...
Only one HDMI port, and its only connected to the switch
Vga port that is also has isn't in use
hollow jackal
Alright then you only have the settings option ._.
Hmm
another thing you can test
make the Switch to go into Recovery mode, and then see if it can display to the TV with "crisp" image
jovial void
Hmm, would going into recovery mode make me lose my save data etc?
hollow jackal
Nope
you just need to go in there and don't do anything
Sure you can format the console but you are not doing it
just stay in recovery mode
Here's the steps
fossil yokeBOT
Requested by BladeSpringSun#4133
hollow jackal
Stop at step 2
You can do this while the Switch is in handheld mode
then put it on the dock while it's on the recovery menu
jovial void
Hmm, I'll try that too, ty 🙂 I'll write here about the result, just going out for a bit, if that's ok?
hollow jackal
Alright, no worry
I maybe offline after, just ping me here I'll reply when I have the time
good luck
jovial void
Hey @hollow jackal , still nothing, think I'll probably have to accept it's the case that docked mode will be 720p on the home screen (with variable resolution in game), and that my monitor may sporadically upscale
If I had another HD TV or monitor I'd test further to check if those are also up scaling, and if they vary with game resolution as expected
Tyvm for your time and help though Biggy, really appreciate it 😄
hollow jackal
Hey <@84771594655784960> , still nothing, think I'll probably have to accept it'...
Alright, no problem. Sometime things are just how they are ^^'
Have fun.
jovial void
Hey @hollow jackal, to give you a bit more closure, I found out that the problem was with my monitor, as I connected my PS4 to it and there was the same pixelation of text. Oddly though, after trying all possible methods online to fix it, it still persists, and looks like its a fault with my monitor being in 720p (or just becoming pixelated). It used to work fine however, which explains why I had noticed the switch home screen rendering ok before
Waiting for a monitor replacement atm
hollow jackal
Hey <@84771594655784960>, to give you a bit more closure, I found out that the p...
Oh so it's always in 720p?
jovial void
It didn't used to be, but it appears so, idk whether it's 720p or 1080p with pixelation tbh, because colours etc still look great compared to my 720p laptop screen, it's mostly the pixelation
hollow jackal
It didn't used to be, but it appears so, idk whether it's 720p or 1080p with pix...
I see, so something was wrong with it and it was fixed to 720p only. You can try to send it into repair if you want.
jovial void
I see, so something was wrong with it and it was fixed to 720p only. You can try...
I'm just getting another one as it was a used monitor I got from ebay, but at least we found the culprit