Shadow mask versus Trinitron CRT

[tedthebear]

I can't make up my mind on a 19 inch CRT monitor... Should I go with a shadow mask tube or a trinitron? I currently own a Sony Trinitron Multiscan 15sf. I've heard that the trinitrons exhibit more vibrant colors than the shadow masks.

I'm leaning toward the purchase of the Samsung SyncMaster 957mb. It's supposed to be excellent.

I do really like the trinitron I own now and I am nervous about changing to a shadow mask, no matter how excellent. I wonder if the Samsung colors will appear flat to me...

Should I go check out the monitors at Fry's and compare? They don't stock the 957mb, but they do have the 955DF and a few Sony models to look at.

Any suggestions before I drop 300 bucks?

Thanks.

 

[LikeLinus]

I'd definately go take a look at some Shadow Mask before you drop any money into one. Personally I use Dual 21" flat trinitron tubes and I'll never buy a Shadow Mask again. Thats just personal preference though. The colors have better contrast and are more vibrant on a Trinitron. I'm not sure what the positives are for Shadow Mask?

 

[BFG10K]

I used to think shadow masks had some advantages over trinitrons until I purchased my Sony CPD-G420. The Sony outclasses every single shadow mask monitor I've seen.

 

[Viper96720]

Trinitron types a.k.a. aperture grille gives you brighter images and color depth. While the shadow masks are good for displaying precise text, shapes, and lines. I don't like a really bright monitor gives me eye strain quicker.

 

[JellyBaby]

I look at it this way: a good monitor is a good monitor. The technology behind it really doesn't matter so long as the tube itself meets or exceeds your needs.

 

[kgraeme]

Originally posted by: Viper96720
Trinitron types a.k.a. aperture grille gives you brighter images and color depth. While the shadow masks are good for displaying precise text, shapes, and lines. I don't like a really bright monitor gives me eye strain quicker.

Yup, and shadow mask is cheaper. So for the price, I'll take a good shadow mask over an average Trinitron any day.

 

[tedthebear]

Originally posted by: Viper96720
Trinitron types a.k.a. aperture grille gives you brighter images and color depth. While the shadow masks are good for displaying precise text, shapes, and lines. I don't like a really bright monitor gives me eye strain quicker.

I wear glasses with non glare lenses designed to prevent eye strain at the computer so I don't have to worry about that.

 

[Kingofcomputer]

iiyama says

What is the difference between the VisionMaster and VisionMaster Pro series?


Shadow Mask(=Flat square tube (FST))

CRTs have a plate which sits behind the glass between the phosphor and the electron beams.Holes in the plate are precisely aligned so that only the appropriate beam is allowed to hit the red, green or blue phosphor. A Shadow Mask absorbs the electrons' energy, which is converted to heat.


The distance between two holes in the shadow mask masking two adjacent dots of the same color is called dot pitch.


Shadow Flat Mask (Flat surface +Shadow mask technologies)


There are benefits to both technologies.
There is no visible 2 horizontal lines.


TrueFlat(based on Aperture Grille Technology)


TrueFlat is iiyama's brand name for its flat-faced monitor. Shadow Mask (FST) is an industry standard term used since 1997 indicating minimal curvature (but still a curvature) of the monitor tube. FST is not flat-faced like an TrueFlat. There are benefits to both technologies at this time. Flat-faced monitors from all manufacturers have some advantages & drawbacks. On the plus side, they have much less glare than the FST & images have a flatter, more realistic appearance. However, most flat-faced models employ a double layer glass surface that reduces brightness (and sometimes contrast) and can have warping at the corners. As technology advances, these problems become less apparent with every new product revision. FST monitors have a slight curve to their image, but may have significantly better brightness (and sometimes better contrast) with a price that is more accessible for most consumers.

 

[Bovinicus]

Those two horizontal lines are enough for me to dislike the Trintron tubes. I do a lot of reading online, and enough of the backgrounds are light that I couldn't handle it. Games do like nice on Trintron tubes though.

 

[Imported]

I find it so hard to notice the lines unless someone points it out in a thread..

I've had two good tube monitors (Samsung 700NF and Dell P992), and I'd easily take them over a Shadow Mask anyday..

 

[LikeLinus]

I haven't noticed the lines on my trinitron in years. Only when someone pops up and actually complains about it. I find that those people are so focused on hating them, that's the reason they see and hate them.

 

[kgraeme]

Originally posted by: LikeLinus
I haven't noticed the lines on my trinitron in years. Only when someone pops up and actually complains about it. I find that those people are so focused on hating them, that's the reason they see and hate them.

A lot of it depends on what you do with your monitor. The trinitrons (diamondtrons) that I have are on my graphics production machines. When doing graphics, I'm looking with a lot more intensity at minute details. Quite often, I'll move my image around to effectively place the horizontal wire somewhere less annoying. But in general web surfing or coding, I don't notice it.

 

[LikeLinus]

I'm a graphic artist (thats why i have dual 21" Flat Trinitrons). I also do website design and development. You can hardly see the lines once you get used to them. They are < 1 pixel in size, if you're having to move your image around...lol You also have to be working on a white surface to even see the lines. People make a big deal about nothing.

 

[Mem]

Those two horizontal lines are enough for me to dislike the Trintron tubes

Same here,as far as I`m concerned those two visable(AG wires) lines onscreen are defects that should not be there in my books,that`s why I went with the LG Flatron 915FT which has no wires like shadow mask tubes but gives vibrant colours like trintron monitor so best of both worlds in a way,in the end you`re the one that has to look at the monitor all day ,so it`s whatever makes your eyes happy that counts.

 

[Sunner]

I have an Eizo F931, it's SM, and still better than just about any AG monitor I've seen.

Those two lines are enough to keep me away from AG monitors, while many other people don't mind them at all.

Go have a look at a bunch of monitors, then make up your mind.

 

[Macro2]

RE:"Trinitron types a.k.a. aperture grille gives you brighter images and color depth. While the shadow masks are good for displaying precise text, shapes, and lines. I don't like a really bright monitor gives me eye strain quicker. "

Having both kinds this appears to be the case, Don't sell the Shadow mask monitors short because they are cheaper. They are easier to read text on and won't wear your eyes out doing so. AG monitors have richer color.
Depends what you want the monitor for.

Mac

 

[kgraeme]

Originally posted by: LikeLinus
I'm a graphic artist (thats why i have dual 21" Flat Trinitrons). I also do website design and development. You can hardly see the lines once you get used to them. They are < 1 pixel in size, if you're having to move your image around...lol You also have to be working on a white surface to even see the lines. People make a big deal about nothing.

LOL! I've been working in graphic design since before people used computers to do it. I agree that people make a big deal out of the wires. My point was though that even after over a decade of working with Trinitron monitors, I can still get distracted by the wire in particular situations.

 

[dkozloski]

The big problem with the highest quality invar tension mask monitors like the Eizo F930 and F980 is that they cost almost twice($1800) what an aperature screen monitor does. Practically all the testing labs agree that the Eizo F980 is the most tightly focused, most distortion free, and color correct monitor available. They also agree it is not worth the money unless you have a task that requires the degree of precision it provides. When you are comparing the highest quality monitors of any construction be prepared to be picking the fly$hit out of the pepper.

 

[loafbred]

I liek teh Trinitrons - have two 19" Sony in the house.

 

[BFG10K]

I haven't noticed the lines on my trinitron in years. Only when someone pops up and actually complains about it

Same here. I never notice the lines until a thread like this appears and someone complains about them.

And even then I still have to specifically look for them.

 

[sandorski]

I love AG, lines schmines.

 

[Byte]

trinitron dont necesarily have better color, i have a sony g200, and them cheap envisoins at compusa totally blow them away ( i have one upstairs). The G220 are about the same too. Sony colors are nice, beats many low end monitors, but there are better ones.

 

[BentValve]

I just recently switched to a Sony monitor , all of my other monitors have been shadow mask.
In my opinion Sony's apature grill tubes are the best you can get if you are into video games, graphic work or watch alot of videos/dvds or whatever , I have a 21" G520P with a .25 dot pitch and I am continually impressed with its performance.
On the other hand if you only worked with text then you might want to stick with a shadow mask monitor because that is the area that they outperform the apature grill on.
If color accuracy and geometry are more important than Sony is the only option (Misubishi's Diamondtrons are ok but still not in the same leauge as Sony, especially in the refresh rate dept)

 

[RSMemphis]

For playing and DVDs, I'd personally want a Trinitron CRT.
For anything else, an LCD. It can't get more stress free for the eyes.

 

[Kingofcomputer]

The big problem with the highest quality invar tension mask monitors like the Eizo F930 and F980 is that they cost almost twice($1800) what an aperature screen monitor does.

aren't Eizo's T series (AG tube) even more expensive than F series?