I have a CTX PR711 trinitron monitor that is 3 years old. Does anyone know how long these monitors can last?
Life expectancy of a Trinitron CRT
- Thread starter SteelyKen
- Start date
Not really sure about what the failure time might be but I can give examples of how long I have had some of the ones I own. All still work fine.
Sony GDM-F520= Abit under a year.
Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 900u = about 4 years.
Sony CDS-100 = Probably had this for over 5 years.
Not a hint of dying in them yet. I am not as sure of CTX's quality cmpared to the Sony's and Mitsubishi but if its still going fine after 3 I would think you would get some more years out of it probably.
Sony GDM-F520= Abit under a year.
Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 900u = about 4 years.
Sony CDS-100 = Probably had this for over 5 years.
Not a hint of dying in them yet. I am not as sure of CTX's quality cmpared to the Sony's and Mitsubishi but if its still going fine after 3 I would think you would get some more years out of it probably.
I have no idea exactly how long either but my old sony trinitron monitor I got in 99 still works as if its brand new.
Well that is good news. I just bought a Sony G420S and moved the CTX over to my second system, so I was just wondering how much longer I could expect service from it.
Also the Diamondtron from Mitsubishi is just as good as the sony version of aperture grille. I am currently using the NEC FE700+ i got for 145 bucks and the quality is excellent.
My Multiscan 200ES has been running always on for almost 5 years (she was built November 1997) and is still going strong.
DC
DC
I have had experience with CTXs. Bought at Sam's Club? My 17 and a friends both got blurry and began sparking within 1 yr. Anothe r bought at the same time, but used way less is still going strong. I dont think CTX wil last too long. Stick with Sony or others.
I got my 19" Sony Trinitron back in February of 1998. It still runs great, but the power button is going out on it. I have to leave it on all the time or I fear I may never get it back on. I guess that that's saying something, though, if I've had it for over 4 1/2 years and it hasn't been turned off in over 5 months.
Life span of a monitor is a good question. Lets look at the CRT itself first. The life span of a CRT is usually considered the time it take to get to half brightness. As you use CRT's the phosphors and the cathode of the electron gun start to degrade. These days we are using techniques that make the cathodes last much longer than the rated life of the phosphor.
There are two technologies Aperture grill and shadow mask. On an aperture grill more beam current hits the phosphor. This is why AG monitors typically have more vivid colors. The downside of that is that the phosphors are more prone to screen burn and will degrade faster. Thus it is my opinion that shadow mask monitors will have a longer life span. Turning the brightness and contrast down will help prolong the life of the CRT. Based on this you can see there are a number of variables involved.
For this discussion, I will assume that a typical monitor used 8 hours a day 5 days a week. Most CRT?s will reach half brightness in about 4-5 years.
The life span of the electronics used is much more easily determined. There are military standards based on active component count. Most monitors are rated for 70,000 hours MTBF. Monitors with a higher degree on integration (less components) will have higher MTBF ratings. Since these numbers are not typically published, A good way to judge the manufacturers confidence in their product is the warranty period they offer. There are manufacturers that offer 5-year warranties these days excluding the CRT.
Ask about the extended warranty option? Companies with low confidence in their product line tend to charge higher prices for enhanced warranties.
Monitor longevity Top ten list
1. Run at the manufacturers recommended resolution and refresh rate
2. Use indirect lighting, turn the brightness and contrast down (this will also improve focus)
3. Turn off the unit when not in use for long periods (over 8 hours) less than 8 hours use the energy saving modes, use a screen saver for shorter periods (over 15 minutes)
4. Keep unit in a well ventilated area (Fans are not necessary) if you do steps 1 - 3
5. Keep your fingers off the face of the tube
6. Keep monitor a sufficient distance from anything that creates a magnetic field
7. Degauss once a day (not necessary if you turn the unit off)
8. Do not place anything on top of the monitor especially containers of water, do not block ventilation slots, top, bottom and sides
9. Use a surge protector (Unplug the unit during thunderstorms)
10. Avoid direct sunlight
There are two technologies Aperture grill and shadow mask. On an aperture grill more beam current hits the phosphor. This is why AG monitors typically have more vivid colors. The downside of that is that the phosphors are more prone to screen burn and will degrade faster. Thus it is my opinion that shadow mask monitors will have a longer life span. Turning the brightness and contrast down will help prolong the life of the CRT. Based on this you can see there are a number of variables involved.
For this discussion, I will assume that a typical monitor used 8 hours a day 5 days a week. Most CRT?s will reach half brightness in about 4-5 years.
The life span of the electronics used is much more easily determined. There are military standards based on active component count. Most monitors are rated for 70,000 hours MTBF. Monitors with a higher degree on integration (less components) will have higher MTBF ratings. Since these numbers are not typically published, A good way to judge the manufacturers confidence in their product is the warranty period they offer. There are manufacturers that offer 5-year warranties these days excluding the CRT.
Ask about the extended warranty option? Companies with low confidence in their product line tend to charge higher prices for enhanced warranties.
Monitor longevity Top ten list
1. Run at the manufacturers recommended resolution and refresh rate
2. Use indirect lighting, turn the brightness and contrast down (this will also improve focus)
3. Turn off the unit when not in use for long periods (over 8 hours) less than 8 hours use the energy saving modes, use a screen saver for shorter periods (over 15 minutes)
4. Keep unit in a well ventilated area (Fans are not necessary) if you do steps 1 - 3
5. Keep your fingers off the face of the tube
6. Keep monitor a sufficient distance from anything that creates a magnetic field
7. Degauss once a day (not necessary if you turn the unit off)
8. Do not place anything on top of the monitor especially containers of water, do not block ventilation slots, top, bottom and sides
9. Use a surge protector (Unplug the unit during thunderstorms)
10. Avoid direct sunlight
I dont know about u all..but i have a samsung syncmaster 900ift..bought in 99 it still sharp as it ever was..and i dont see any signs of breaking...
which is bad b/c i bought the service plan (b/c i worked for best buys at that time) for the darn thing..lol
which is bad b/c i bought the service plan (b/c i worked for best buys at that time) for the darn thing..lol
I have a 14" CTX monitor built in May 1996. It was used regularly (4hrs a day) until 2 years ago. Now about 3 hrs per week. It works just like new. But then again, it is 14" and not trinitron 
I would imagine most would last about 6 years before any problems.
I would imagine most would last about 6 years before any problems.
CrackRabbit
Lifer
- Mar 30, 2001
- 16,642
- 62
- 91
I'm sure the longevity should be 7 - 8 years. In my experience, I received a surplus 15" Dell Trinitron monitor as a take-home monitor from work. The monitor had to be 4 years old when I received it about 3 years ago. I then gave it to a friend and it's still in use today. The first 4 years of service in a business environment meant that it was probably on a minimum of 10 hours per day - maybe 24 hourse per day if the PC was never shut off. I'm sure your CRX PR711 will last until 19" LCD monitors are priced at the $300 - $350 level.
My nokia 447x died after 7.25 years... Of course it had faded a little -- but was more than useful until the final death...
I have a 17" Sony Trinitron 200SX that is still going strong after almost 7 years. (although, it cost me $600+ when I bought it new!)
On the other hand, I had a MAG Innovision 19" (actually a ProView VM900E) that died after only one and a half years. One day it simply would not power on anymore and the fuse was not blown. Make sure the monitor you buy comes with a three year warranty. The MAG had a three year warranty, but if it was purchased from Best Buy or Circuit City, then the warranty was only ONE YEAR. Since I bought it at BB, I got screwed. The MAG was cheap and junky, and the screen had such a curve to it, it was kind of like looking at a bubble! The glare was horrible compared to my new NEC.
I now have a 19" NEC Flat Screen 97F which is MUCH crisper than the MAG ever was, and it cost about the same ($180 after coupon & $50 rebate).
They way I look at it, if the monitor has a three year warranty, you probably won't ever need to use the warranty. If the monitor has a one year warranty, plan on replacing the monitor after about a year and a half. YMMV...
(although, it cost me $600+ when I bought it new!)On the other hand, I had a MAG Innovision 19" (actually a ProView VM900E) that died after only one and a half years. One day it simply would not power on anymore and the fuse was not blown.
Make sure the monitor you buy comes with a three year warranty. The MAG had a three year warranty, but if it was purchased from Best Buy or Circuit City, then the warranty was only ONE YEAR. Since I bought it at BB, I got screwed. The MAG was cheap and junky, and the screen had such a curve to it, it was kind of like looking at a bubble! The glare was horrible compared to my new NEC.I now have a 19" NEC Flat Screen 97F which is MUCH crisper than the MAG ever was, and it cost about the same ($180 after coupon & $50 rebate).
They way I look at it, if the monitor has a three year warranty, you probably won't ever need to use the warranty. If the monitor has a one year warranty, plan on replacing the monitor after about a year and a half. YMMV...
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