Dilemma: 24" CRT or 21" LCD

jwocky

Member
Oct 9, 2003
46
0
0
I need some responses quick. I have a choice of either a Sony 24" Trinitron CRT (GDM-FW900) or the Samsumg 21" LCD (213T). The LCD will be $150 more expensive. Help me decide!

Pros for the GDM-FW900:
- 1.5" more viewable screen area
- can run at 1920x1080 resolution (16:9 ratio) (the resolution I plan on running at, assuming it doesn't make things way too small)
- more accurate colors for digital photo processing
- $150 cheaper

Cons:
- a behemoth of a monitor - close to 100 pounds (altho I do have the office space)
- do eyes get more tired looking at CRT?
- analog connection

Pros for 213T
- smaller and lighter
- cool factor
- DVI connection

Cons:
- can only run up to 1600x1200
- $150 more


I have a Radeon 8500 from which I'll be running the monitors. I mostly do web browsing, digital photo processing, and some gaming. I know the monitor is overkill for what I do, but it's a little treat to myself. I just like having massive desktop real estate.

Lastly, does anyone know if the 1920x1080 will make things appear relatively the same size as 1280x1024 on a 17" LCD?

Your response is much appreciated.
 

MDE

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
13,199
1
81
The LCD will probably suck for gaming (big LCDs usually have slow response times). Personally, I'd go for the CRT if you have the room and will be using it for gaming.
 

jwocky

Member
Oct 9, 2003
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True... so I guess the LCD only has the advantage of smaller size, lighter, less power consumption and maybe being brighter. Otherwise, the CRT should win in all aspects regarding image quality? Anyone know if 1920x1080 makes things roughly the same size as 1280x1024 on a 17" LCD? Thanks.
 

apac

Diamond Member
Apr 12, 2003
6,212
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71
I'd take any LCD over a CRT because I get headaches from the refresh flicker on CRTs, but thats just me.
 

Rubicante

Senior member
Sep 11, 2003
273
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0
I wish I was forced to make such a terrible choice.

In the perfect world that you seem to be living in, I would buy the FW900, hands down. But then, I'm a fan of CRTs, especially Trinitrons...
 

jwocky

Member
Oct 9, 2003
46
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0
My video card claims to do 1920x1080 in 120hz refresh rate. Is that considered fast, average, or low? I wanna make sure that my eyes aren't getting excessively tired from this refresh rate.
 

Camofrog

Member
Dec 2, 2003
177
0
0
I think the 1920x1080 resolution wil be close to the same size allthough i havent tested it. there arent that many games were you would use such a huge resolution anyway.
I would reccommend the CRT monitor, as far as the flicker goes just set your refresh rate higher and since your using a sony trinitron it shouldnt be much of a factor anyway, it should also be plenty bright, and the colors are better.
the only reason i would use a LCD is if you take your computer places often (they're easier to carry) but they are not worth it for hardcore gaming.
 

jwocky

Member
Oct 9, 2003
46
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0
So what happens when u play a game that doesn't support 16:9? If the game doesn't support 16:9 then I can just run it on a resolution which the game does support no? Although it'd be wasting the 16:9 abilities of the monitor, I'd still be able to run the game fine probably (albeit with black strips on the side)?
 

araczynski

Golden Member
Aug 20, 2003
1,252
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0
I'd go with the CRT as well, prefer them over LCD at the moment, will probably change in 2 years or so.

To be easy on your eyes, you want a refresh rate of at least 75Hz for whatever resolution you're using, i usually stick to 85, makes my eyes happier.

The main issue with the LCDs is that unless you're gaming at the optimal resolution for the monitor (1920x1080), the LCD will have to resample/rescale everything to display at your chosen resolution, this causes some blockiness/fuzzines with images, it will do the same in a windows desktop. The only way to avoid this is to use resolutions which have the same ratio as the optimal one, or maybe its even multiples/divisibles of the optimal one, don't remember, anyway, with the 1920x1080, a good resolution would be 960x740, which isn't a standard game resolution....i.e. go for the CRT :) it'll be sharper, and nicer anyway. then buy yourself some nice games with the 150
 

Mem

Lifer
Apr 23, 2000
21,476
13
81
Hmmm tough choice I would not want to rebox that huge 24" CRT if it went faulty and the heat as well,I think I would take the LCD,text is always excellent on LCDs & as to gaming well 25ms is pretty good for gaming,I use my 191T (also 25ms) and find it just fine in gaming,yes you can get faster but it really depends on if your eyes will notice it, also using DVI helps reduce ghosting.

As to eyes,well I find I can sit all day in front of my LCD,and lets be honest here most of us spend more time out of gaming then we do in,so that means you`ll be using it more for general stuff etc ,the advantage with the CRT will be digital photo processing and resolution scaling.

I did read Sony are going to stop making CRTs next year, so what happens after a few years if it goes faulty do they repair it or send you a refurb?


 

beatle

Diamond Member
Apr 2, 2001
5,661
5
81
How much is that Sony? I would rather have 2 smaller monitors than a huge one. You could possibly get 2 21's or 2 high end 19s for that price.

LCDs are very easy on the eyes though. I'm at work looking at a couple of them all day and my eyes don't fatigue. The dual 19" CRTs at home make me rub my eyes periodically, even with a 100Hz refresh rate.
 

jwocky

Member
Oct 9, 2003
46
0
0
Hrm, I know that the text on LCD's is usually better than its CRT counterpart, but wonder if the text on the Sony will be worse in quality than the Samsung?
Heh, the Sony in the summertime is gonna make my room an oven.
 

Mem

Lifer
Apr 23, 2000
21,476
13
81
but wonder if the text on the Sony will be worse in quality than the Samsung?
Samsung should have better text especially in DVI mode,I`ll very surprised if it doesn`t.I`ve yet to see a good CRT with better text then a good LCD,but that`s just my personal opinion and experience.
 

Mem

Lifer
Apr 23, 2000
21,476
13
81
Btw there`s another bad point with LCDs that you`ve overlooked,that`s dead pixels that some LCD owners get,I was lucky with my Samsung since I had zero but there`re no guarantees with any LCD monitor,another thing you`ve to take into account.
 

TwYsTeD

Senior member
Nov 11, 2003
288
0
0
I am considering buying the 213T myself, but Im still not sure how well it does with gaming. (Yes i've read the many mixed reviews on the 213T) I guess Im just going to have to wait for Kristopher's review of the 213T before I make my decision.
 

digitalsm

Diamond Member
Jul 11, 2003
5,253
0
0
On the whole analog and DVI thing. Im sorry but a properly calibrated LCD or CRT on analog connections will LOOK much better than those on current DVI connections. Most people dont have properly calibrated monitors, but well thats the truth to the matter. So DVI really isnt a pro or con.


Personally Id suggest 2 20" viewable Monitors. 22" for CRTs or 20" for LCDs

LCD if you dont care about accurate color, CRTs if you do.
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,145
18,690
146
Originally posted by: Shooters
You won't get black stripes, you'll just get a stretched picture.

If you use the image size control in the monitor adjustments menu you can set all 4:3 resolutions to display as 4:3 on the screen very easily. This is not a problem at all.
 

Mem

Lifer
Apr 23, 2000
21,476
13
81
Im sorry but a properly calibrated LCD or CRT on analog connections will LOOK much better than those on current DVI connections. Most people dont have properly calibrated monitors, but well thats the truth to the matter. So DVI really isnt a pro or con

On my Samsung 191T the DVI mode is superior to its analogue mode,I can`t go back to analogue mode now,so it`s a factor to my eyes ;).

You have to compare DVI to analogue mode with your own eyes on your own monitor,this is the only way of doing it,I mean you`ll be the one looking at the screen all day, so don`t be surprised if DVI does win. Btw I`m speaking LCD wise.
 

Bitdog

Member
Dec 3, 2003
143
0
0
Get the big CRT, push your desk up to a wall, cut a big hole in the wall where you want the monitor, slide it in, & frame it with picture frameing (varnished trim stock).
That gives you the "cool factor", the graphics, the speed, & the cost saveings.
THEN, after a 6 pak, rip off the back of yer desk, knock out some cabinet shelves,
attach the desk to the wall with angle brackets, & cut a hole in the wall where the knocked out shelves are.
(Note, the shelf area needs a swing door and needs to be large enough to fit your computer in it, with the CD drawer open.)
THEN, on the other side of the wall build a closet.

So what's that for ?
you can get to the back of your computer and all its components by walking into the closet,
where all the wires are hidden but you can get to them at any time, easily.
The monitor is in the wall leaving your entire desk top clear,
(You can mount your speakers in the wall too, frame them also.)
AND the computer is totally silent when the cabinet door is closed.
I know most folks think that a computer is fairly quiet any way, BUT
once you have it in a cabinet and you close the door. You really notice the difference.

LIGHTING
also a cause of flicker is artificial light sources in the room.
They flicker at the same speed or slightly different than the CRT.
AC Alternateing Current at 60 cycles per second & a standard CRT refresh rate of 60hz = 60 times per second.
can cause flicker. (don't quote me, but I think there's some validity to this and it's open for discussion.)
ANY WAY, you've probably seen floursent bulbs flicker when they are old ?

Ok, cross lighting is always best. Two 40 watt bulbs on each side of the desk is better than one 80 watt in the middle.
It eliminates shadows & is easier on the eyes. There is light on what you are looking at, from any angle.

Then SPECTRUM, the spectrum of an incandecent (filiment) bulb is different than that of neon (which is gas and different gasses make different spectrums).
Ok, with a few different types of light source, the eyes are allowed to see in full spectrum and that's easier on them.
When coupled with cross lighting and no lights going directly into the eyes, you have fair environment.

Cabinets on either side of the monitor in the wall that have a shelf between them over the monitor will help keep
direct light from hitting the monitor & the extra storage space is nice to have. (I have a shelf over mine now.)

INFORMATION SOURCES
I've done the cross lighting before on shop work benches and computer stations.
I've done the spectrum thing on work benches.
I've done the computer in a cabinet. (quiet)
I've seen a TV mounted in a wall that had a closet on the other side.

I've always wanted to put it all together with a home made desk shaped like a horse shoe,
where you roll your high back office chair in, and every thing is within arms reach,
then there is a foot switch which turns on a small heater that blows heat at your feet under the desk.
Maybe some day, but for now, one can dream ;)

Bitdog
 

Rubicante

Senior member
Sep 11, 2003
273
0
0
Originally posted by: Bitdog
Get the big CRT, push your desk up to a wall, cut a big hole in the wall where you want the monitor, slide it in, & frame it with picture frameing (varnished trim stock).
That gives you the "cool factor", the graphics, the speed, & the cost saveings.
THEN, after a 6 pak, rip off the back of yer desk, knock out some cabinet shelves,
attach the desk to the wall with angle brackets, & cut a hole in the wall where the knocked out shelves are.
(Note, the shelf area needs a swing door and needs to be large enough to fit your computer in it, with the CD drawer open.)
THEN, on the other side of the wall build a closet.

So what's that for ?
you can get to the back of your computer and all its components by walking into the closet,
where all the wires are hidden but you can get to them at any time, easily.
The monitor is in the wall leaving your entire desk top clear,
(You can mount your speakers in the wall too, frame them also.)
AND the computer is totally silent when the cabinet door is closed.
I know most folks think that a computer is fairly quiet any way, BUT
once you have it in a cabinet and you close the door. You really notice the difference.

LIGHTING
also a cause of flicker is artificial light sources in the room.
They flicker at the same speed or slightly different than the CRT.
AC Alternateing Current at 60 cycles per second & a standard CRT refresh rate of 60hz = 60 times per second.
can cause flicker. (don't quote me, but I think there's some validity to this and it's open for discussion.)
ANY WAY, you've probably seen floursent bulbs flicker when they are old ?

Ok, cross lighting is always best. Two 40 watt bulbs on each side of the desk is better than one 80 watt in the middle.
It eliminates shadows & is easier on the eyes. There is light on what you are looking at, from any angle.

Then SPECTRUM, the spectrum of an incandecent (filiment) bulb is different than that of neon (which is gas and different gasses make different spectrums).
Ok, with a few different types of light source, the eyes are allowed to see in full spectrum and that's easier on them.
When coupled with cross lighting and no lights going directly into the eyes, you have fair environment.

Cabinets on either side of the monitor in the wall that have a shelf between them over the monitor will help keep
direct light from hitting the monitor & the extra storage space is nice to have. (I have a shelf over mine now.)

INFORMATION SOURCES
I've done the cross lighting before on shop work benches and computer stations.
I've done the spectrum thing on work benches.
I've done the computer in a cabinet. (quiet)
I've seen a TV mounted in a wall that had a closet on the other side.

I've always wanted to put it all together with a home made desk shaped like a horse shoe,
where you roll your high back office chair in, and every thing is within arms reach,
then there is a foot switch which turns on a small heater that blows heat at your feet under the desk.
Maybe some day, but for now, one can dream ;)

Bitdog

You are my hero.