What is the advantage of an LCD monitor versus CRT?

[rnmcd]

I can see that an LCD will do a better job of cleaning out my wallet than an equal sized CRT but are there any other advantages besides a smaller footprint? Is the image really tremendously better? Keep in mind I am not a game player.

Should I just stick with getting another CRT if I have been satisfied with CRT images?

Thanks.

 

[WobbleWobble]

- Easier on the eyes as they have a softer feel
- Less heat generated
- Less energy used
- Perfect geometry
- No focus/convergence issues = perfect text

 

[bendixG15]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

My wife has a new LCD...she loves it

I have a 2 year old CRT...
I like mine better than hers...
I would not get an LCD
I am not a big gamer....

Best advice is to go look at LCDs and judge yourself...

...the end....

 

[Mem]

Is the image really tremendously better? Keep in mind I am not a game player.

Using a LCD in DVI mode gives a very crisp image,text looks so much better with LCDs IMHO,eyestrain is virtually gone since LCDs don`t refresh like CRTs,also uses a lot less power and heat,and last you get perfect geometry & no focus problems as well.

Bottom line is you really need to see a LCD for yourself and I mean one that`s setup properly.

 

[rnmcd]

I've looked at the wall of LCDs in places like Best Buy and Staples and nothing has really impressed me except the image on the 15" LCDs. The larger ones definitely looked washed out compared to the image on the 15" LCDs.

 

[Kremlar]

Personally, I like LCDs better due to:

- perfect geometry - slight distortion bothers the crap out of me
- crisper text - I find the sharpness to be superior on LCDs
- easier on the eyes - doesn't cause me eye strain like CRTs do
- small footprint - my desk space is very important to me, so the smaller the better
- aesthetics - I just think they look better, more modern

I'm not a big game player.

Good luck!

 

[SithSolo1]

Originally posted by: rnmcd
I've looked at the wall of LCDs in places like Best Buy and Staples and nothing has really impressed me except the image on the 15" LCDs. The larger ones definitely looked washed out compared to the image on the 15" LCDs.

My guess is that places like BestBuy don't have those LCDs hooked up via DVI but rather Analog.

 

[WobbleWobble]

Originally posted by: SithSolo1

Originally posted by: rnmcd
I've looked at the wall of LCDs in places like Best Buy and Staples and nothing has really impressed me except the image on the 15" LCDs. The larger ones definitely looked washed out compared to the image on the 15" LCDs.

My guess is that places like BestBuy don't have those LCDs hooked up via DVI but rather Analog.

The analog signal is also split many times and because they use the same display for 15, 17, 19" models they may not be running at native resolutions.

 

[Alptraum]

Originally posted by: SithSolo1

Originally posted by: rnmcd
I've looked at the wall of LCDs in places like Best Buy and Staples and nothing has really impressed me except the image on the 15" LCDs. The larger ones definitely looked washed out compared to the image on the 15" LCDs.

My guess is that places like BestBuy don't have those LCDs hooked up via DVI but rather Analog.

Not only that, but as WobbleWobble mentioned they are usually hooked up to a splitter. Those degrade image quality quite abit.

I switched from high end 19" and 21" CRTs to LCD about 2 months ago and will not buy another CRT.

 

[rnmcd]

So to get the best LCD "appearance" it should have digital video inputs? And therefore your video card would need digital outputs right?

 

[Acanthus]

Right but what about the LCD negatives

-Dead pixels (most companies wont RMA an LCD unless it has 3 or more dead pixels, some requiring 7 or more)
-Stretched out images if youre not at the "native resolution"
-Slow response times
-Poor color replication
-2 to 3 times the price

 

[Kremlar]

I haven't seen a dead pixel in I don't know how long to be honest. I think if you stick with a decent brand the chance of getting one is minimal. Most of what I purchase are through national distributors, and have never had a problem returning because of a dead pixel when I did get one. Not sure how normal retailers (local and on-line) are about it. I'm sure it would suck, however, to get one - especially if my place of purchase was giving me a hard time about returning.

I could see the native resolution and slow response being an issue for gamers, but not much of an issue for a non-gaming or minimal gaming user. Just be aware of the native resolution and make sure it gives you a desktop size you like when purchasing. And response times are getting pretty good on LCDs if you look around for one with that in mind.

I have to disagree completely about poor color reproduction. Again, cheap LCDs will give you poor quality, just like a CRT, but decent LCDs give excellent color accuracy.

There's no denying the price issue - these things are friggin expensive. But, they're dropping.

 

[Alptraum]

Originally posted by: Acanthus
Right but what about the LCD negatives

-Dead pixels (most companies wont RMA an LCD unless it has 3 or more dead pixels, some requiring 7 or more)
-Stretched out images if youre not at the "native resolution"
-Slow response times
-Poor color replication
-2 to 3 times the price

The only one I have issue with is price. I got 0 dead pixels on mine (Samsung 192t), but I do know that can be an issue. Response time has not been an issue at all for me. I have played C&C Generals, Americas Army, Starwars Galaxies and a number of other things with no ghosting that I could see. As far as color goes it looks fine to me. If I was doing direct to plate printing or something like that (I have some friends that do at newspapers) maybe I would stick with CRT. But even then the LCD might work. I know the grpahic arts department at one of the largest law firms (another friend works there as an artist) in the country is moving to LCD. And since they bill crazy money for anything and hate having to redo anything accuracy is hugely important to them.

So basically none of those issues other then price even apply to me. And I think the price was well worth it. I spent $699 on mine. Granted for years I had been paying $1000+ for CRTs though, so that price wasn't a shocker to me.

Edit = I forgot about stretched image size. Other then one or two older games I have had no issues here either. My native rez is 1280x1024 and even some newer games only run 1280x960 or so. And they look fine. I do have one older game (Hearts of Iron) that does look somewhat like a$$ though (it only runs at 800x600). Other then that one title that has not been an issue for me either.

 

[Kremlar]

So to get the best LCD "appearance" it should have digital video inputs? And therefore your video card would need digital outputs right?

For the absolute best picture, yes and yes.

 

[Mem]

The only one I have issue with is price. I got 0 dead pixels on mine (Samsung 192t),

I had none with my Samsung 191T,yes it could be a problem,however I had more problems with my CRTs in the past with poor geometry or out of focus problems that all had to be RMAed back to the company,no joke when you`ve to rebox a 19 or 21" CRT and hope the next one you receive is ok.

 

[Kremlar]

I had more problems with my CRTs in the past with poor geometry or out of focus problems that all had to be RMAed back to the company,no joke when you`ve to rebox a 19 or 21" CRT and hope the next one you receive is ok.

Yes, definitely. We're talking probably 11 or 12 years ago, but I remember spending $350 on a Mag 15" monitor, and getting a couple with horrible geometry. Wanted that model because of the Sony tube, but kept getting crap geometry. Shipping CRTs is no fun, and expensive.

You bring up a good point - either way, you're trading one potential problem for another. Either the chance of poor geometry and focus issues for CRTs or the chance of dead pixels for LCDs.

 

[capricorn]

One advantage I didn't see here in my quick read through was weight, which might not be a big consideration for most. I got a 17" LCD for my daughter to take to college. Since I get to help her with a lot of the moves in and out and in and out and in (every long break and after every semester), I thought I'd rather move a 12 lb 1280x1024 17" LCD than a 64 lb 1280x1024 19" CRT.

-cap

 

[blodhi74]

running an 17 inch LCD and a 17 CRT side by side on a dual monitor set up and the LCD out shines the CRT .... both have pros and cons but I still prefer the LCD ...good luck with UR decision

 

[someone16]

Also, I dunno if it's still true, but they measure CRT's from edge to edge and LCD's the actual viewing area. So if you get a 17" LCD the viewing area would almost be like a 19" CRT

 

[blodhi74]

Originally posted by: someone16
Also, I dunno if it's still true, but they measure CRT's from edge to edge and LCD's the actual viewing area. So if you get a 17" LCD the viewing area would almost be like a 19" CRT

true that

 

[Atlantean]

LCD is easier on your eyes. Or so I hear, I am a fan of crts because of the better resolutions, and they look better to my eyes for gaming.

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: WobbleWobble
- Easier on the eyes as they have a softer feel
- Less heat generated
- Less energy used
- Perfect geometry
- No focus/convergence issues = perfect text

So true. I've 21" Sony G520P CRT and 20" Dell 2001FP LCD running dual monitor. Both at 1600x1200 res. The Sony looks like crap next to the Dell. Colors look washed out and dull and text is slighty fuzzy on the CRT. Everything is bright and crystal sharp on the LCD. It's like night and day. Before I got this LCD, I thought my Sony CRT was sharp and vibrant. Now I've seen the light, and I will not buy another CRT. Now I just need to get rid of this Sony and get another Dell 2001FP.

 

[Bovinicus]

If you are not a gamer then I definitely recommend getting an LCD. My father got an LCD for his system and I feel that it is far superior to my CRT for 2D usage. I haven't watched a DVD on his computer, so I can't really comment on how LCDs compared to CRTs for watching movies. I prefer CRTs for games, but that is the only application that I have found thus far. If ghosting can ever be entirely eliminated, then I have a feeling LCDs will be the monitor of choice for games as well.

 

[xSauronx]

i prefer a crt still, being a gamer, and would love to be able to get a 19" crt in the near future....

 

[tooltime]

easier to look at
places like best buy may split the data among several monitors.
but crt's still have advantages to some, some think they appear brighter