MONITORS- Shadow Mask or Aperture Grill?

[Texun]

Which is the preferred CRT for rich graphics and some gaming in a 19 inch monitor, Shadow Mask or Aperture Grill, and are all AG's basically a Trinitron tube? I have a KDS with the Aperture Grill and the lines don't bother me.

I like the Viewsonics A90f but the Samsungs seem to generate more interest. The Samsung 99DF also looks as fat as it does flat.

I've stood in front of the A90f and the 99DF at CompUSA for so long that security has started to follow me around. I can't really tell the difference between them. Some dummy has usually tried to load a web page with no connection, or they have a generic Windows desktop displayed.

I have a budget of about $350 and I want to do it right the first time, but I need more information before I get escorted out of the store.

Thanks!

 

[richleader]

Personally, I find the shadow masks to be more soothing and accurate. However, most of them have curved screens which isn't so bad on smaller models, but once you get up to 19" that curve becomes serious and I'd rather have a trinitron than the shadow mask Mag 800v that I have now. But if you're using 17" or smaller, it really comes down to personal preference, there's no right answer.

For games though, if you use 16bit color, the dithering is far more pronounced on Ap grill monitors. That might be a sign of higher accuracy, but take that for what it's worth (IMHO, not much).

 

[zsouthboy]

AG tubes are trinitrons, diamondtrons.... and one other I don't recall..... personally I'd go with an AG any day....... My KDS avitron 19" trinitron is SWEET.....


zs

 

[zsouthboy]

BTW for a 19" KDS avitron... check tigerdirect.com.... I got mine for around 250 bucks..... its a refurb.... but there's nothing wrong with it.

zs

 

[BFG10K]

My Sony Trinitron has much sharper text and richer colours than my old Philips shadow mask.

 

[Texun]

Thanks to everyone for the info.... I'm still looking. I met the GM at CompUSA today.

*zsouthboy*
How is the text on that KDS? I've got the 17" and have had it for about a year. No problems with graphics, but the 1024x768 is a little too fuzzy for my eyes. I plan to use it as a replacement for my aging Panasonic on my PII-550.

Really looking hard at the Viewsonics P95f which has the Trinitron tube. Prices are averaging $390-$460. For that price I should consider a Sony, but damn that ain't what I had in mind.

Please keep the comments flowing. I am interested to know who has what monitor and why they have it.

Thanks,

 

[Wuzup101]

Personally I like the triton tube. I have 2 KDS 17" flats in the house. One is mine and Avitron, the other is the newer x-flat model (not sure if it carries the avitron name though). My dad bought the x-flat for $130 on sale at sams club...not bad for a 17inch flat screan. I'll most likely be purchasing a 21" flat for college and I've already looked at quite a few triton tubes in various sizes. They have very sharp text under most if not all rez's. But then again 1024 doesn't seem a bit fuzzy to me on this 17".

 

[HouRman]

I use 3 different monitors each week. 2 are AG and one is shadow mask that replaced another shadow mask.

As my primary monitor for home use, I decided to use a Cornerstone P1460 invar shadow mask. This website clearly explains the difference between the two though the picture is a bit exaggerated. hehe

Here are the reasons I went for Shadow Mask:

Crisp text because I use my computer more for internet and text based applications
power saving - AG can run on 30 to even 40% more watts of electricity also producing more heat
no grille lines - I don't have to look at grille lines and confuse them with other lines.
Backed by 5 year warranty. Not many monitors out there with 5 year warranties with an advanced shipment policy.

Did I mention razor sharp images? hehe
The colors may not be super bright compared to my viewsonic but the pictures still look great. I watch DVDs and play games on the shadow mask just fine. My friend comes over and we can sit 4-6 feet away and comfortably watch a DVD movie with my HTPC.

To see the difference yourself, it would be best if you could compare them side by side to really see the difference. If color is what you're after then go AP, but if you want to give your eyes something easy to look at for long periods of time, then go shadow.

Or go duel monitor and have the best of both worlds.

 

[zsouthboy]

<< Thanks to everyone for the info.... I'm still looking. I met the GM at CompUSA today.

*zsouthboy*
How is the text on that KDS? I've got the 17" and have had it for about a year. No problems with graphics, but the 1024x768 is a little too fuzzy for my eyes. I plan to use it as a replacement for my aging Panasonic on my PII-550.

Really looking hard at the Viewsonics P95f which has the Trinitron tube. Prices are averaging $390-$460. For that price I should consider a Sony, but damn that ain't what I had in mind.

Please keep the comments flowing. I am interested to know who has what monitor and why they have it.

Thanks, >>



I run at 1600x1200x85hz and I have no problem...... its even SHARPER is you turn on ClearType font smoothing(an AG grille has color bands like an LCD, so it works)

I wish I could run my games in that high of a res..... 1024x768 is max for me(i'm gonna get a radeon 8500 in mid march).......

Oh, BTW this monitor will do 1024x768 at 120HZ !

zs

 

[richleader]

<< (an AG grille has color bands like an LCD, so it works >>



I think that's an exaggeration.

But it is a nice monitor.

 

[Daovonnaex]

I prefer shadow masks for most work, but for color intensive DTP work (read--photoshop), I prefer an aperature grille.

 

[Texun]

Thanks for all the info. I did it, but I'm not real proud....

I bought the A90f today at Office Depot. I would have bought a higher end model if I could have found one, but this area does not offer much in the way of high end monitor selection. The next step up from the A90f or SS 99DF was the Sony at the local CompUSA. I couldn't see the $500+ price tag difference. I use the monitor mostly for web graphics and word processing, sometimes some gaming. The Trinitron model I believe would have been a better choice for games, but that's about 15% of my time on the PC.

I decided not to buy a professional series monitor in the $350-$400 range over the Internet without seeing it. I'll try this one for a few days and see how it fits. So far the colors are great for what I use it for, but Operafion Flashpoint isn't anything to brag about. I got it at OD because I can always take it back within 14 days and get a full refund if I find something better locally.

Thanks again!

 

[jiffylube1024]

<< AG tubes are trinitrons, diamondtrons.... and one other I don't recall..... personally I'd go with an AG any day....... My KDS avitron 19" trinitron is SWEET..... >>




KDS Avitron 19" (new ones) are GREAT monitors! Low price, awesome picture quality!

 

[ringl0rd]

I'd go with shadow mask, I own a samsung syncmaster and it rocks!!

 

[Texun]

I have a KDS 17" Avitron Flat that has a very nice image. Unfortunately, I can't find them in my area. The town where I moved is still getting used to indoor plumbing and electricity, which is why my monitor choice is seriously limited.

I like the image of the SS and it was a coin flip between that one a the Viewsonic. Went with the Viewsonic because I used one at my previous job and was quite impressed with it. This one will take some getting used to. The colorific software is screwed IMO. It will in no way provide an acceptable image. I'm having to nudge it into shape without it.

I did read somewhere that a user had a Viewsonic and it was a little "off" at first, but after an overnight burn in it settled down just right. We'll see if that's typical. This one has a very faint bluish-gray tint on the left side. Either it goes or the monitor goes back. All else is pretty much okay so far. That's why I like buying at Office Depot... no questions asked if I don't like it.