Flat panel vs. regular computer monitor

“Any real advantage to the flat panel computer monitor? Yes, I realize one won't break your back getting it from car to desk. LOL!

Just browsing for 19-inch (or 17-inch) monitors. Seems like the big, ole monitors are pretty cheap these days and I wouldn't mind saving moola.

Yeah, the flat panels are great... I might still talk myself into one... but cheap is cheap.

Also, it's probably been 3 years that I've had my current monitor (and it's fuzzy!) and I don't remember. What are the big points in buying a monitor? I recall that the refresh rate is important, but what's good?”

“It's been a while since I've looked at flat panel monitors (at least 3 years ago). At the time the flat monitors couldn't come close to the resolution and color rendering of the tube type monitors. They were also at least 3x the price of the tube monitors.

This may not be true today, because the technology may have caught up.”

“definitely not true today. i have a supersharp flat panel that is actually better quality than my regular monitor.

i don't really know the difference except that i got it to take up less room on my desk.”

“Liz, don't you work with photos? Unless you spend a lot of money to get one of the higher end flat panels, the CRTs are still much better for photo editing.

Especially if you're calibrating your monitor. I can post some more info on this if you're interested?”

“ahhh, interesting IJ. Just the kind of info I'm looking for. As far as calibrating, post the info if you like. So far I've never calibrated, preferring instead to print and reprint and reprint (etc, etc... "ching ching" go the dollars as the ink jets run out) until I mess with the Photoshop colors enough to get them to match what's printing.”

“Clipped from message board:

CRT monitors are still better than LCD displays, generally speaking. That is to say, you can get a better CRT monitor than you can LCD, and most CRT monitors are more than adequate for digital imaging work while many LCD monitors are not. Still, there are many LCD monitors that are more than adequate. The only area that really is a major limitation now is the contrast ratio. With most LCD monitors the viewing angle (previously a major problem) is 120-degrees or better, which is excellent. Brightness and color fidelity of the latest LCD displays is also excellent. But contrast ratio is a bit lacking.

Most current LCD monitors offer a contrast ratio of about 450:1. CRT monitors typically offer a contrast ratio of around 900:1. That means you won't be able to see all the shadow detail in your images on an LCD monitor. The detail may be there, but the LCD isn't able to display it. The latest LaCie monitor actually took a step backward in this regard, offering a lower contrast ratio than their previous model. I really don't recommend the latest LaCie LCD. It is very good, but not the best. As for Dell, in general their LCD displays are not the best available, and it is somewhat difficult to get clear specifications on a particular model. I prefer to get the monitor separately, preferably from a store where you can view a number of models side by side.

The latest Apple LCD displays are exceptional. Windows users will need to be sure their video card has a DVI output, and you'll need to buy a DVI to ADC converter, but the display is gorgeous. I've also been very happy with LCD monitors from ViewSonic, Sony, Mitsubishi, and others. Just be sure to check all of the specifications, particularly contrast ratio, to be sure you're getting the best monitor possible for your critical image-editing work.”

“Thanks, IJ...

What about refresh ratio? I know a certain number or higher is really good, but what's the number?”

“How about this monitor? $200 after rebate...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1089889763161&skuId=6720177&productCategoryId=cat01011&type=product

IJ, can I ask what forum you're on, so I can maybe grill them, too??? LOL, thanks!”

“Then there is the difference in radiation received from a CRT vs a flat screen.

Also not all CRT's are made to the same specs with regard to viewer screening, and CRT coatings can also break down over time.

Bottom line is that old cheap CRT may have you sitting in front of a mini chernobyl.

Flat screen does not have an electron gun zapping particles at you hoping that the screen coating is till intact.”

“Liz that looks like a good monitor. Viewsonic comes highly recommended. As for the message board, its really more of a Q and A service provided by Tim Grey of Lepp Institute in CA. It's a pay site that my work pays for. If you're really interested in joining I think its like $35, and I can send you info to subscribe.”

“oh naaah, not if I have to pay. lol”

“I'd like a flatty for the simple reason it's smaller and won't take up as much room on the desk. Not sure how good the flat ones are for gaming though.”

“IJ beat me to the bit about CRTs being better for photo editing.

That Viewsonic is the monitor that I have at home. I've been real happy with it though I have to degaus pretty often now or it gets fuzzy in the margins (it's about one year old).

PCWorld liked the NEC much better: http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,112473,00.asp (dated article, they seem to have stopped rating CRT's)”

“Better and cheaper... gotta like that!

thanks for your info, too, Manuka. I guess I just figure we're getting zapped with all that crap from any number of sources, so what's it matter? Aren't cell phones supposed to do that? Microwave ovens? etc etc”

“Solution: TIN FOIL HATS!”

“lizs, I got my monitor (flat) from Overstock.com. I also ordered a color printer along with it and my total including shipping I think was $325. I don't remember the actual price of the monitor itself, but it was really inexpensive. You could check overstock . Their stuff changes all the time, but you might find something you like for the right price.”

“My 21" CRT monitor at work is about to break the desk they bought for it.
The cheapa$$ pressboard is in a U shape under it.”

“For editing/viewing photos, LCDs el sucko. CRTs rule. I have a CRT monitor at home and the tonal range and contrast range are nice, and then I come to work where I have a LCD monitor and my photographs suck. It's like I'd hafta to scan and edit photos for one or the other separately. I don't use the desk space behind my monitor anyway so I'm not understanding the whole flat-display craze, especially if you're going backwards in quality. Maybe in a few years it won't matter, but from what I've seen so far today, LCDs suck. Just my totally professional opinion. Remember, I'm only a professional.”

“Buck, the desk space issue I think is more important at home where folks tend to have smaller desks and less room in general. My desk at work is a Cadillac compared to my desk at home which is more like a VW Bug!”

“Yeah, those things are damn heavy, aren't they? I saw one on Best Buy at 55 pounds! The one I posted the link for is 42 lbs.

Don't know why, but the kinda lightweight computer desk that I/me/myself/**I** put together is just fine. :-) Need some help with that desk, Stovey?? ;-)”

“I use what they provide, lizzy.”

“Holy sheeyat, Professional Buck Forester showed up! >8-O

I am humbled and awed.







(awwwwwww..... how special!! lol)”

“OK, so why do monitors.... CRTs... get fuzzy over time? It's nothing that can be fixed, huh?”

“You only live once lizs - go for it!”

“OK, so why do monitors.... CRTs... get fuzzy over time?

The interior side of the screen has material that lights up when hit with particles.
Some of it burns out which means parts do not light up making fuzzy, some bits flake off which also leaves fuzzy spots but now your radiation dose has increased.”

“OH YEAH....a link from Violin???!? uh huh.... LOL!

manuka, do you use a cell phone or microwave? Do you know that cell phones blow up? I get the message already, lol.”

“You do know that if you put your cursor over the link, the URL shows at the bottom of your browser (in IE anyway), don't you?”

“Liz, you asked why they get fuzzy.

Yes I have a cell phone, and a microwave, and I photocopy things, but I do not sit in front of any of these for hours at a time.

And I do not stay indoors when there is sunspot activity,
and I visit the South Pacific where there is a big hole in the ozone layer
and I have had several skin cancers removed.

They will come back because the damage that caused them was a long time ago when I ignored the sun.

Also knew a guy who died when a TV tube blew when he was right in front of it making adjustments.

But I knew a lot more people who died in auto accidents.

Risk is relative, if you drink wine to reduce chance of a heart attack you increase risk of liver damage. Trick is to balance all these risks so I die drunk as my heart and liver fail together.”

“Manuka, see if I'm understanding the message... and I think you and I are on the same page: Take the risks you feel you can safely take and try to make life safe in any way you can.... still there are many bad things you can't help. So do live for what you want to get out of it.

Hmmmm.... am I close??!? lol

Hope you are living well. Sorry about the skin cancer.”

“If you go with an LCD monitor make sure its native screen resolution (usually the one they advertise, usually the largest one it supports) is one you can live with. If you put any other resolution on the monitor usually everything looks blocky and distorted. That's not the case with a CRT, since the coating that the pixels are displayed on covers the whole screen, so if you change the resolution you still get a smooth image.”

“Pretty much on same page Liz, try and know what risks you are taking, look at the alternatives to reduce risk where the risk is large and the prevention easy.

Balance the risks with what you want to do in life because if you avoid all possible risk you are still going to die.

My biggest risks are probably driving to work and back each day in the zoo they call New Jersey, and not exercising regularly (go nuts for a couple of months then nothing for a couple of months).”

“Liz, here's the latest on CRT vs. LCD from Tim Grey. This is the first I've heard on this.
_________________________________

I have read your recommendations on the Sony and View Sonic LCDs. Recently I was advised that a flat screen CRT, such as the LaCie, provides better quality than the LCDs. Is this accurate?

==========

In general, yes. There's really no arguing that the best CRT monitor is still better than the best LCD monitor. You'd even be pretty accurate to say that most CRT monitors are better than most LCD monitors. CRT monitors offer broader dynamic range, better color fidelity, and no viewing angle issues. However, despite their potential advantages, CRT monitors are quickly fading from the scene. I've seen many predictions that they will no longer be manufactured after 2005. I have absolutely no trouble believe this is largely true. Many manufacturers have already stopped producing all or most of their CRT product lines, with LCD monitor sales far exceeding those of CRT monitors. While CRTs do offer some quality advantages, the best LCD monitors are very close in overall image quality and fidelity, and LCD monitors don't weigh as much, don't take up as much space on the desktop, and don't represent nearly the environmental problem that CRT monitors do. So, while you could get a better image with a CRT monitor, it would appear that is a limited time offer.”

“yeah, but isn't it true that if a monitor is bad, IT'S BAD!! No way to fix it anyway! So it shouldn't matter if you hava CRT that lasts you 10 years right or a LCD that lasts you 10 years? Same difference! No??


Not that I ever had a computer for 10 years!!
last edited: 2/01/05 7:44:55 AM”

“um, i don't think longevity was the issue, it was quality. Unless you're referring to something before my post?”

“I've still got my Amiga 2000...I know I bought that thing in like 1992, so I've had it for 12 years.”

“Similar situation, bit. I have my TI/99-4A (1984?), and Atari 130XE (1986?). Used my Commodore 1702 monitor with both, and it still works great. No high-end graphics on that thing, though!

”

“It depends on what went bad on the monitor. I've got an old 17" that I've been hesitant to toss because I have a feeling it's not something that serious. Of course, neither have I taken it anyplace to get it fixed...”

“lol, my original gear closet is full of stuff like that.”

“OK, quick count, how many actual, operating computer does everyone have?

I have 5, plus another that I could set up quickly if I had to.

Non-operational computers: 2, not counting the one that I could set up in a hurry.”

“I think I have 6, most in the closet:
- TRS-80 laptop computer
- TI-99/4A
- two Atari 130XE systems
- two IBM-compatible systems (one is a server, the other my workstation)

Not including the one I use at work, since I don't own it.”

“two, one Mac and one PC. Ever try to network a PC with a Mac? logistical nightmare!”

“My 5 are all set up and ready to use. As a matter of fact, I'm pretty sure they've all been used in the last week or so. It's nuts.”

“Indiana John,
I can't even network my 3 PCs, forget my Mac.

BTW, he's right about CRTs. Most graphics pros still use them, and for that reason, I don't see them completely disappearing anytime soon. LCDs are also inferior for gaming, because they don't refresh as quickly, and leave trails. But LCDs are very close in quality and acceptable for 95% of the market.”

“Does operating computers included only desktops?

I have one desktop in the closet, plus one operational desktop, one laptop, and one pocketpc.

I also have two non-operational monitors in my closet, need to find out where to get rid of those...
last edited: 2/01/05 10:59:44 AM”

“Oh, well, if we're gonna toss PDA's into the basket, I have one of those too. A Zire 31. I was thinking about it the other day, and my PDA has more processing power and storage space than my Amiga 2000.”

“I have a PDA, too, but that is work's too.”

“We just got 19 in. flat screens at work!!! This rocks except it's easier for people to tell I'm on TT know. :( It's about time. I had the smallest one in the department.(insert #&%!$ joke here)”

“It's not the size that matters; it's how you use it. ;-)”

“when the IT dude was installing it i said "i bet the porn on these is huge"...he didn't find it all that funny...i bet my computer's gonna be monitored for a while now”

“Not anymore than everyone else's computer. At our office we use a proxy server called IPrism from St Bernard's software. There are content filters put in place based on business rules and how St Bernard's rates sites.

Can't look at The Onion or MySpace because St Bernard's considers them both to be pornographic... :(”