Why are black monitors NOT TCO'99 compliant
- Thread starter test99
- Start date
I don't think it's particularly because they're black monitors. More likely it's simply because not many companies bother making black monitors, so usually they're older models. If you take a black monitor and find the maker's beige version of the same thing, I'd bet the specs are the same. There's no reason the black plastic would make a difference, the plastic isn't blocking any emissions on its own, and even if it were, the coloring wouldn't make it any different.
<< I don't think it's particularly because they're black monitors. More likely it's simply because not many companies bother making black monitors, so usually they're older models. If you take a black monitor and find the maker's beige version of the same thing, I'd bet the specs are the same. There's no reason the black plastic would make a difference, the plastic isn't blocking any emissions on its own, and even if it were, the coloring wouldn't make it any different. >>
Actually, it is the black plastic. Apparently they have restrictions on the contrast between bezel & screen, something to do with eye strain.
Not like I give two sh!ts though.
Viper GTS
In the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum black is a more absorbing "color" but that does not mean it absorbs higher (UV, XRAY) or lower energy (Radio, Microwave) EMF radiation.
Purchasing a Black monitor simply to match your case may not be the wise thing to do, especially if you use your computer for long periods of time. Many companies do not produce black monitors because black monitors cannot meet the new TCO-99 ergonomic requirements. There are two major reasons why black does not meet the TCO-99 specifications.
In TCO'99 there is a requirement that the reflection factor of the front frame (bezel) of the monitor shall not be more than 20%. This means that a dark colored or black monitor will not pass this requirement. The contrast of a white screen image next to a black bezel creates eyestrain during long periods of use.
In TCO'95 there is no such requirement, although it is a recommendation.
Also back monitors use a plastic that is not easily recyclable. These monitors will eventually end up in a landfill instead of being recycled. Recycling is another requirement of TCO-99.
The majority of my large corporate customers (those who purchase 20+) monitors at a time are avoiding Black (Midnight Gray) for fear of workman?s comp claims.
In TCO'99 there is a requirement that the reflection factor of the front frame (bezel) of the monitor shall not be more than 20%. This means that a dark colored or black monitor will not pass this requirement. The contrast of a white screen image next to a black bezel creates eyestrain during long periods of use.
In TCO'95 there is no such requirement, although it is a recommendation.
Also back monitors use a plastic that is not easily recyclable. These monitors will eventually end up in a landfill instead of being recycled. Recycling is another requirement of TCO-99.
The majority of my large corporate customers (those who purchase 20+) monitors at a time are avoiding Black (Midnight Gray) for fear of workman?s comp claims.
Thanks for clearing that up GoSharks.
I wonder if black creates eye strain why the hell do most of the televisions are black covered?
I wonder if black creates eye strain why the hell do most of the televisions are black covered?
And yet Dell sells every single system with a black monitor... I wonder how they got away with that?
To my knowledge TV's are not required to meet the ergonomics standards that monitors are required to meet. The majority of monitors are used in business applications where strict guidelines must be met to reduce / eliminate the possibility of litigation or workman's comp claims. Since TV's are meant for home use they are not subject to the same regulations.
Also when you work on a monitor you are typically 18 - 24 inches from the front of the unit. When watching a TV you are 7 - 10 feet from the front. As I understand it (I'm no eye specialist) it is the close proximity of the bezel and the eye perceiving the change in contrast from the center to the peripheral vision that creates the problem. If anyone can dig up more info on this please let me know.
From what I can tell Dell did this strictly as a business move to make it more difficult for the competition to follow. Non of the black Dell monitors meet the TCO-99 requirements. They sell them as TCO-95 compliant, not TCO-99.
Also when you work on a monitor you are typically 18 - 24 inches from the front of the unit. When watching a TV you are 7 - 10 feet from the front. As I understand it (I'm no eye specialist) it is the close proximity of the bezel and the eye perceiving the change in contrast from the center to the peripheral vision that creates the problem. If anyone can dig up more info on this please let me know.
From what I can tell Dell did this strictly as a business move to make it more difficult for the competition to follow. Non of the black Dell monitors meet the TCO-99 requirements. They sell them as TCO-95 compliant, not TCO-99.
What about monitors that are just pretty colors heh. Not black, not white, but like the apple monitor colors or the Lacie electron blue? Are they TCO'99 compliant?
EDIT: What the hell is TCO'99?
EDIT: What the hell is TCO'99?
If the manufacture has them tested and they pass they are allowed to advertise them as TCO-99 compliant. Look at the product specs for these models most manufactures publish what regulations they comply to.
TCO-99 are guidelines set forth by the Swedish governments (National Board for Measurement and Testing, MPR) and the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees (TCO) to regulate emission properties of electrical equipment.
The guidelines cover such things as emissions, ergonomics, resolution, refresh rate, power consumption, and safety to name a few. Every few years TCO updates the requirements for display devices. TCO-99 is the latest standard.
TCO-99 are guidelines set forth by the Swedish governments (National Board for Measurement and Testing, MPR) and the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees (TCO) to regulate emission properties of electrical equipment.
The guidelines cover such things as emissions, ergonomics, resolution, refresh rate, power consumption, and safety to name a few. Every few years TCO updates the requirements for display devices. TCO-99 is the latest standard.
I fail to see how they can decide what color the bezel can be based on the color of the image on the screen. Would not a constant dark image with a beige bezel be just as much of an eyestrain? Who decided that the standard should assume we'll always be staring at a white screen?
What is a reflection factor? How does black plastic reflect more than beige?
What is a reflection factor? How does black plastic reflect more than beige?
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