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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> New monitor... LCD vs. CRT
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08/16/2005 02:27:55 PM · #1
Ok, it's back to the age old debate...

I'm getting a new system for photo/video editing and graphic design. I've got dual monitor support and am down to picking the best monitor set-up. I've always been partial to CRT's becuase of the better resolution and image quality (never could stand seeing the 'blocks' of pixels on LCD's). But now I'm reading that LCD's have come a long way and graphic professionals are using them.

What are your thoughts? What are the advantages/disadvantages to each? Any recommendations?

Thanks!!
Brian
08/16/2005 02:30:05 PM · #2
I've read that an LCD monitor has to have a contrast ratio greater than 600 to be usable for image editing. Just something to keep in mind when looking.
08/16/2005 02:44:33 PM · #3
I hope LCD works! I just took the plunge with this one.

DELL UltraSharp 1905FP 19-inch Flat Panel Monitor
08/16/2005 02:44:50 PM · #4
LCDs have indeed come a long way. The main advantage of an LCD monitor is, IMHO, the total lack of flicker, translated into a lot less eye strain when used for a long period of time. And besides, nowadays you can get a decent 19" LCD with a usable resolution and good colour calibration.
Professionaly, I am a computer programmer so I use a computer 6 to 10 hours / day. With a CRT it would be overkill. So I would definetly go with the LCD.
08/16/2005 02:48:56 PM · #5
Here is a post from a email message forum i am part of

I'm afraid you really are living in the past! A good LCD monitor (I
use the Lacie photon20vision) is infinitely more accurate /
predictable / reliable for colour sensitive work these days.

CRT colour accuracy is susceptible to all sorts of external
interference which LCD is not (time, the earth's magnetic field, etc.).

LCD is inherently sharper because each pixel on the display
represents one pixel of data (if viewed at native resolution). Any
time I view things on a CRT now they look soft.

My screen is brighter and has better contrast than any CRT I've ever
owned (and I've owned a few).

Hope that helps!

Cheers

Joe Tree
08/16/2005 02:54:38 PM · #6
Originally posted by glad2badad:

I hope LCD works! I just took the plunge with this one.

DELL UltraSharp 1905FP 19-inch Flat Panel Monitor


I was looking at that one too. There were some coupons somebody posted a couple weeks ago that brought it down to around $300. Looks nice, let us know what you think of it.
08/16/2005 03:06:35 PM · #7
Will do...it's part of a larger plan. He-he. New PC on the way - Hooray! Now if it would only get here...like a kid at Christmas. ;^)

Originally posted by Telehubbie:

Originally posted by glad2badad:

I hope LCD works! I just took the plunge with this one.

DELL UltraSharp 1905FP 19-inch Flat Panel Monitor


I was looking at that one too. There were some coupons somebody posted a couple weeks ago that brought it down to around $300. Looks nice, let us know what you think of it.

08/16/2005 03:27:19 PM · #8
I would totally be aware of your color and contrast range. My JTX LCD was probably not a good brand but I thought it was great because the display was bright and clear, BUT I realized it was over bright and even with the settings turned way down I could not get an acurate representation of my images. I ended up with dark and muddy pictures because I over adjusted them.

That monitor is now my daughters for just run of the mill computer use and I have her dell crt. I'll wait till I finally take my last move when I retire in 4 years before I get a new one.

Sounds odvious but try and play with one that you want to buy before you actually purchase it, maybe even see if you can log onto DPC and look at images here that you know what they are supposed to look like to see if it compares.

Good luck

Message edited by author 2005-08-16 15:28:35.
08/16/2005 05:06:17 PM · #9
Thanks a ton for the quick responses!

I am also looking at that Dell LCD (to go along with a new Dell system). I live two hours from the nearest computer store so I really can't check how it looks... plus I've got limited options because we're going with Dell.

Couple more questions: how long will the LCD's last and what are the chances of 'dead pixels'? I read 5 years is the average life of a CRT. Also, I will be having dual monitors... is there an issue with having two CRT's side by side? Any wierd magnetic interference issues?

Thanks!!
08/16/2005 05:13:50 PM · #10
I've had a Viewsonic LCD for 4 years now. It works perfectly. No dead pixels and it's just as bright as ever. To be honest, I wouldn't worry about dead pixels...it doesn't happen very often and manufactureres are pretty careful about weeding out the "bad eggs." I'd definitely go with an LCD. They look better, the color tends to be more vibrant, eye strain is almost non-existent and unless you're some sort of fanatic about "sharpness," you're not going to notice much of a difference between a CRT and LCD.
08/16/2005 05:17:45 PM · #11
I prefer CRTs for photo editing by far. I think that an average life-expectancy of 5 years sounds low, but I'm pretty sure it's markedly lower for LCD's. We have one old SuperMac 21" monitor at work which is still functional, and is probably over 15 years old. We have several smaller Sony monitors which are probably over five years old already.
08/16/2005 05:29:28 PM · #12
Go for this one. Aw hell, get two! :-) Out of my price range, but they are SWEET!
08/16/2005 05:34:32 PM · #13
Originally posted by Telehubbie:

Go for this one. Aw hell, get two! :-) Out of my price range, but they are SWEET!


LOL! and it's even on sale.
08/16/2005 05:54:37 PM · #14
For less money you can get a LaCie 22" Electron Blue CRT monitor -- probably the best monitor for photo editing around.
08/16/2005 05:58:56 PM · #15
Actually, you should look for a not-to-large LCD monitor. The larger the LCD, the "blockier" the image will look, when compared to a not-so-large one (given the same resolution).
For instance, I own a laptop with a 15.1" LCD, capable of 1400 x 1050 resolution. The pixel size is SMALL. This favors "perceived" resolution, and it is more than enough for my needs. Wouldn't mind a 19", 1600 x 1280... but for editing photos and "personal" work, I wouldn't trade it for a 30" one.
Altough, I would love to have one in my living room!
08/16/2005 06:05:44 PM · #16
I have just bought a 19" Sony S95AB LCD (with a contrast ratio of 700:1 and 16ms response time), to replace my 19" NEC-Mitsubishi natural flat 19" CRT.

The LCD is a nice screen, but it has noticably poor refresh when scrolling. I also find it harder to get even contrast, and find it's overly bright/contrasty on dark tones compared to my CRT.

As for CRT 'flicker'. If your CRT does flicker, get a better one. I run my 19" at 85 Hz, which is very solid.

Is the LCD better picture wise? No. It does have some nice advantages though, including size, weight and power usage.

My CRT is reasonably high-end, however, and my LCD is only mid-range, so...
08/16/2005 06:50:19 PM · #17
I just bought the ViewSonic VP191b after much debate between me and my husband over this issue. Now that we have it, I love it, (MUCH easier on my eyes), it is so much better than the old CRT I had, and now my husband is considering this LCD as well, as it seems to do well for gaming.

...our 2¢...(OK, 4¢)
08/16/2005 07:20:33 PM · #18
Originally posted by GeneralE:

For less money you can get a LaCie 22" Electron Blue CRT monitor -- probably the best monitor for photo editing around.


Agreed. This is what I use and I'm in no hurry to "upgrade" it. I've had it for 2 years, and it's fantatstic.

R.
08/18/2005 08:11:51 AM · #19
Formac 2010 is an amazing screen for the price :)

Message edited by author 2005-08-18 08:13:13.
08/18/2005 08:20:40 AM · #20
Why don't companies just make functional monitors instead of trying to produce something elegant?
08/18/2005 08:23:49 AM · #21
Aren't they going to provide what is selling more frequently? If the customer keeps going after the more stylish monitors, then they would be foolish (profit wise) not to offer more.

Why not functional AND stylish? ;^)
08/18/2005 08:32:40 AM · #22
Style is fine, as long as I don't have to pay more for it.
08/18/2005 09:35:24 AM · #23
Originally posted by Bobster:

Formac 2010 is an amazing screen for the price :)


Seems nice - what's the scoop on the company - haven't heard of them.

wee!
08/18/2005 12:45:28 PM · #24
Formac have been going years!

mostly in the Mac community tho'

i love the display :)

i got mine for £350 :)



just waiting to get paid on a job and i'll be getting a 2nd, but because my video card has only 1 DVI out i'll have to buy a DVI-VGA converter to take it to analogue..

Message edited by author 2005-08-18 12:45:48.
08/18/2005 02:40:05 PM · #25
Oooooo - pretty...
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