Shadow-mask, Trinitron or Diamondtron

[NordicNINE]

I think I've decided on getting an aperture grill.

I play some UT, AoE2, NOLF, Half-Life, etc, but mainly do research and database development and want a monitor that has sharp, crisp text. I know aperture grills are supposed to have brighter colors, and the shadow masks better text, but if I want both, what's the best choice?

I'm looking at a Trinitron FD (probably CTX), Samsung 900IFT, or Samsung 900NF.

The 900IFT is a really low dot pitch shadow mask so I imagine text would be best on it, but I want nice rich bright colors too.

The 900NF is a Diamondtron and I've heard great things about it, but I've heard of geometry problems.

Also, I have a nice set of BNC cables from my old Iiyama yet, so I'd like something with BNC.

I'd also like something that does 1600x1200@85Hz. I mainly use 1280x1024@85, but I use 16x12 once and a while.

 

[Kingofcomputer]

I saw a lot nf diamondtron mon, mitsubishi pro series, nec FE, FP series, samsung 900NF, all don't have straight border.

I'd only buy shadow mask mon.

 

[duragezic]

First off, shadow mask is NOT aperture grill, it kind of sounds like ya think it is.

You do have the general idea however about shadow masks such as the 900IFT with crisp text vs. aperture grill (both FD Trinitron and DiamonTron tubes) with better colors. Most quality aperture grill's still have great text though and the main reason I see to get a shadow mask over an aperture grill is to avoid the damper wires.

I recommend the 900NF. It really is an excellent monitor especially for it's price. There's a $30 mail-in rebate for February also. It also has BNC and does 1600x1200@85hz and 1280x1024@100hz.

I think what Kingofcomputer is talking about is slight geometry errors that are present in virtually all flat screen aperture grill monitors. The top and bottom of the screen may SLIGHTLY "bow" up or down so the middle of the top isn't quite as high up as the left or right sides of the top. Now I really don't notice this much. I think it varies slightly between models and individual monitors but on mine it must be only down like 1 MM or something because it is barely noticeable.

That said, I still would recommend the Samsung 900NF.

edit: In case you didn't know, the Samsung 900IFT's advertised dot pitch is .20mm HORIZONTAL. Diagonal is what matters and that is abou .23 or .24mm (can't remember). The aperture grill pitch (what matters) of the Samsung 900NF is .25mm or .26mm (again...). So yes the 900IFT may produce slightly better text quality.

 

[PliotronX]

I second the 900NF

 

[NordicNINE]

I'm aware that a shadow mask and an aperture grill are completely different types of monitors.

I don't see where you understood that I thought a shadow mask was a type of aperture grill from my post.

Also, I'm aware that horizontal dot pitch is different than diagonal dot pitch, but how many monitors do you know of with a .23/.24 diagonal dot pitch?

 

[NordicNINE]

So, the text at 1600x1200 should be plenty sharp on the 900NF?

Are colors just as good as a Trinitron FD?

I have a Mag 786FD (17" Trinitron FD) and a Gateway 17" Diamondtron, so I only have the older Diamondtron to compare which isn't nearly as nice as the FD and is only vertically flat.

 

[duragezic]

I've seen both DiamondTron based and FD trinitron based monitors. The difference is neglible. It basically comes down to what the user sees. Some say a DiamondTron monitor looks better, some say FD Trinitron does. The manufacturer that uses the tube also decides some on how it looks depending the quality of other components they use. The text is sharp for my 1600x1200, especially on my ATI Radeon. I'm not using BNC and while I would like to try it, I have heard some good things and others saying it made no difference. Don't know if that justifies the cost of the cable. But since you already go it, sounds good.

Make sure you have a video card with good 2d also. If you have a Geforce line card well at 1280x1024+ it just isn't good for 2d quality.

edit: Oh yeah well with your title and then the first line of your post, it sounded like you were getting an aperture grill and you weren't sure what kind of AG to get be it shadow mask,... My mistake I just interupted (sp?) wrong.

edit again: Not sure about other monitors with that low of a dot pitch. If there is any others, I would think only a few. Hitachi monitors, which I also like for shadow mask have a .22mm horizontal so even then it's not as low as Samsung 900IFT or 955DF.

 

[oldfart]

I'm partial to AG tubes. They have a brighter look and better color. I have a Mitsubishi Diamondtron NF 900U 19" at home and a Viewsonic EF70 NF 17" at work. Both are really nice (especially my 900U). Between Diamondtron and Trinitron, I don't see much difference. They both look good.

 

[NordicNINE]

I can see it in the header now? I can see how you misunderstood.

I'm really picky about components, but monitors are the only thing that I keep around for more than 6 months. :-D

My last couple monitors lasted about 3 years.

I'm really sensitive to flicker and alot of people tell me I'm nuts when I tell them their display is blurry or flickering and they don't notice it. So, I want to make sure I really like this monitor since I'll probably have it for 4-6 hours per day for 2-3 years.

I want to make a decision next week and I can get the Samsung 900NF and CTX Trinitron for around the same price.

 

[oldfart]

I'd go Samsung 900NF. They are a good brand, and the 900NF has good reviews. CTX is a cheapie company.

 

[NordicNINE]

I'm really starting to think that too.

I'm ordering one Monday.

Upon reading some other threads in there, reviews all over and user reviews on CNET, it looks like the best choice.

 

[Smbu]

I would go with an AG monitor. I have an IBM P96 (FD Trinitron) and I have seen many Dell P991 and P1110(both FD Trinitron) monitors and the picture quality is excellent on all of them. I could never go back to using my old Gateway EV770(Shadow Mask) monitor after using my P96 for a few months, or any shadow mask monitor for that matter. I haven't really seen any Diamondtron monitors, so I can't give an opinion on those, but ppl do say they are as good as FD Trinitron ones.

 

[pen^2]

there is another contender in the town, LG flatron: no damper wires with AG like visuals... the 17'' version looked fantastic to me, if the 19'' one has fair pricing then you should definitely give it a look. personally i compared 900NF and 195TF and ended up getting the latter. both are great monitors btw

 

[Mem]

BrotherMan is on the right track here,the LG 915FT Flatron is one of the best 19" shadow mask monitors infact I`m buying one soon, definetly worth a look IMHO.

 

[bigshot]

i third the 900 NF
great colour saturation and crisp text
once you go to AG monitors you will never use a shadow again
gunatee it

 

[Biggs]

One more for the 900NF.

 

[esung]

CTX for me.. they've been around the block producing monitors forever.. and PR960F is really good.. and I prefer FD Trinitron over Diamondtron.. but it's personal preference.

 

[NordicNINE]

I was just about to make my decision final and go with the Samsung. :-D


At least I have a couple days to think about it yet.

 

[Mem]

NordicNINE,I`ll make it easy for Shadow-mask go with the LG 915FT Flatron,for Aperture grill type(Diamondtron/Trinitron) go with Samsung 900NF.

 

[NordicNINE]

I hate to break it to you, but the Flatron is an aperture grill monitor.

The term stripe pitch would indicate an aperture grill. It's not a normal one as it doesn't need dampning wires.

 

[NordicNINE]

PS- I have heard alot of good things about it though and I'll look into it more.