trinitron and radeon, HELP !

[Rado45]

After finally deciding which hardware to buy for my new computer, I hear of problems with Trinitron monitors and radeon cards. great
I pm'd Hawk and he told me that the problem isn't only with the radeon, but with other cards as well.
The problem (which I first found out about here) is described to me as a shimmering effect on all trinitron monitors when coupled with a radeon.
The monitor I'm thinking about purchasing is the 19" CPD-G400 Sony Flat Trinitron.

Is this a real problem and have any of you experience with this? I would really like to know more about this.
thanks in advance.

 

[BenSkywalker]

"Is this a real problem and have any of you experience with this?"

With the particular monitor you are looking at, yes, it is very real.

Click here for a nearly 200 post thread on the subject.

Perhaps you could consider a Mitsubishi NF or DF series or Samsung 900NF instead of the Trinitron? It will save you money and doesn't have the problem.

This isn't just the Radeon, all the nVidia boards also have problems with Trinitron tubed monitors(which is where the "horrible" 2D reputation for nV comes from, this isn't an issue with non Trinitron tubes).

 

[Rado45]

thanks

damn, now I have to go look fo another monitor again...

 

[Rado45]

hmmmm : I'm just thinking...
I want to play games (that means radeon, geforce2) but I also want Image quality (that leaves radeon).
Do I have to change monitor or do I have to change the graphics card? Or both?
Or neither...(I live in denial)

 

[Hawk]

Yeah, if you read the last couple of pages on that link Ben gave you, you'll see people saying that others are having the problem too. Good luck finding a monitor.

 

[BenSkywalker]

Avoid the Trinitron and neither the GF2 or Radeon will have image quality issues.

I would seriously look at the Samsung 900NF or possible their latest 21" NF offering. It is also a flat monitor, like the Trinitron you were looking at, and the 900NF at least is regularly rated right up their with the Trinitron for image quality but costs significantly less. That is the reason I bring up the 21" Samsung, you can likely pick it up for nearly the same price as the 19" FD Trinitron and you get the joy of 21" goodness to go along with it

I would still stay with the Radeon as your choice for vid card, even though the GF2 has no problems with the above mentioned monitor, IMHO it is simply the better overall gaming card.

The Radeon, GF2, and Mitsubishi tubed monitors can give you exceptional image quality, easily comparable to a G400 paired with a FD Trinitron(though I would still give that pairing the edge), it isn't as if you need to make a huge sacrifice.

If you are he!! bent on having a Trinitron, you can go with a V5 5500, they seem to have no problems whatsoever with the Trinitron tubed monitors and are comparable with current games to the Radeon and GF2. I would go 900NF or the 21" Samsung NF and a Radeon 64MB DDR for a gaming machine in the price bracket you are looking at.

 

[oldfart]

I have a Radeon and a 19" Mitsubishi 900U Diamondtron NF. Beautiful monitor. No problems at all.

 

[Rado45]

thanks,
I'll be looking for a samsung 900NF or a mitsubishi 900U diamondtron NF (21" isn't really necessary, I just the very best image quality on a 19&quot. I think I'll stick with the radeon, voodoo5 is not really my thing and I'm not convinced that GF2 has equal image quality (I've seen comparative screenshots and I find there is quite a difference). But feel free to try and convince me otherwise...
Any other recommendations?

I would think that Sony is at least partially responsible, and what are they exactly doing about it? They have the best monitors but no one is able to use them except with a couple of cards (which in my opinion aren't the best). Aren't sales hurting a even a little then? It is a high end product after all.

again thanks (especially for the link, Ben), I would have gotten a lot of problems if it wasn't for this forum

 

[oldfart]

BTW, the 900U is not cheap. They now have similar models with less bells and whistles for less.

 

[Rado45]

could any of you guys give me a link to specs of these monitors, can't seem to find any...

 

[Comp10]

Just to let you know, the Radeon DOES have the shimmering problem with at very least some Mitubushi Diamondtron tubes. I have the Iiyama Visionmaster Pro 510 (Mitubushi Diamondtron tube) and it does indeed have the shimmering problem. However, I would not let this problem stop you from buying a Diamondtron/Trinitron monitor or a Radeon. I can't speak for other people with this problem, but on my monitor you can only notice the shimmerinng if you get about 6 inches from the screen, otherwise the 2D appears excellent. So the problem really isnt a problem, unless you like being less than 6 inches from the screen which its doubtful .

 

[Rado45]

what exactly is the difference between Trinitron (or the Mitsubishi analog Diamondtron) and Shadowmask? I read that with Shadowmask monitors there are no problems so far.

I'm still a bit confused about this shimmering effect (what exactly is it ?).

 

[Comp10]

The shimmering effect might best be described as a sort of horizontal shaking. For example, if you look closely at the text on this webpage, different parts of the letters will seem to shake slightly back in forth out of sequence. So basicly it kinda looks like water is flowing down the screen, causing the image to distort slightly. The shimmering is really only noticable with text and other 2D aplications, when playing games and such the problem is far to small to be noticed.

As for the difference between Shadow mask monitors and Trinitrons, generaly speaking Trinitrons provide more viberant colors, while Shadow masks have slightly sharper text. Personaly I think Trinitrons give a much better overall image than do shadow masks, even with the Radeon's shimmering.

 

[Rado45]

hmmm

Maybe I can live with that (in the way you describe it, it doesn't seem that bad)...
Oh yeah, I haven't bought anything yet (the radeon nor the monitor), just to clear things up.

 

[Rado45]

right, I'm getting sick of this would-be or would-not problem, tomorrow I'm going to a local retailer to see the problem for myself (if they will show me).