Over here in India we generally have CRT monitor at our home, and now when we are developing more and more, I thought of investigating whether a computer user in India, will prefer CRT (Cathode ray Tube) or LCD (Liquidd Crystal Display) monitor.
As with everything in this world, there is always positives and negatives of every choice we make. You may not seem to care what monitor you have, as long as it works right? or Wrong??. If your a gamer, you may have a certain preference over somebody who just checks their e-mail every once in a while, and talks or Chat on Yahoo Messenger. What your decision is, should be based on what your going to use your computer for. Let us start analysing good and bad of both the types of monitor….
CathodeRayTube
The Good
Cheap– Most CRT monitors will only ask you to spend a little amount for good one. This includes many different styles, screen sizes ( Yes, you can get a 19 inch CRT monitor for this price if you look around good enough.) and colors. Also, you can get flat-screen and rounded displays as well.
Better Color– Most of the time, you can not beat the sheer clarity of CRT monitor's display. If you compare the LCD and the CRT displays, MOST of the time you can see that CRT's monitors will give you a better picture.
Better Viewing– CRT monitors have the edge over LCD monitors because, with LCD monitors, the picture is distorted greatly when viewed at an angle (Older LCD monitors have this probelm only, newer ones do not) CRT's have a tube which paints the image over the screen, so it is more clear and uniform at every angle, unlike LCD's which use cells to display, which can be easily distorted when not looking head on with the monitor.
The Bad
Weight– CRT monitors weigh alot, period. If your a weakling, lugging this around when you want to dust may not be a good idea.
Actual size displayed– CRT monitors really cheap out when you set the display. They have boundries around the edge, They are unavoidable, and when you try to get rid of it and stretch it, you will not see the good half of the start button. Example, if you buy a 17 inch monitor, you will only see slightly over 16 inches of display.
Power Usage– CRT monitors cost much more than LCD's when it comes to your electric bill. The amount of energy needed to power the tube is enormous.
Size– CRT monitors take up alot of space. In fact, more than half the space a LCD monitor does. So if your limited on desk space, LCD may be the way to go.
Refresh Rates– Refresh rates are basically an update of what your looking at. Very important during games. CRT monitors sometimes have a very annoying flicker, which is really the refresh. Graphics cards ( Will be discussed later) will allow you to increase the refresh rate, which will normally solve this problem.
LiquidCrystalDisplay
The Good
Flexibility– LCD monitors are very flexible. You can adjust the angle very easily upward, downward, and side to side. LCD's can even be put up on the wall attached to an arm, where you can rotate to your liking.
Image brightness– In high level lighting situations, LCD monitors win hands down. The bold colors will show very will in this environment. CRT monitors will appear dull and distorted in high lighting situations.
Thin Screen– Most LCD monitors screens are only about 1 1/2 inch thick. Some are even less than an inch thick (These have seperate power supplies often on an adapter you place somewhere else).
The Bad
Cost– LCD monitors cost alot. Most of the time 3 times as much as the same sized CRT monitor.
Resolution– LCD monitors have something called a "natural resolution". This is the resolution on your screen the monitor was made to be set and displayed at. Highering or lowering of the resolution often makes a slightly distorted image.
Dead Pixels– Dead pixels are pixels on an LCD that dont work. These are easily distinguished on a black background. Often though, the manufacturer will cover dead pixels up to a year on the warranty. Research the warranty before you buy.
Fragility– LCD monitors are very sensitive on the screen. Even slight taps on the screen may destroy pixels, which the manufacturer may not cover.
Usage
The real important question is what are you going to use the monitor for? Will it be for image editing, gaming, etc… What you will be doing with your computer has a big impact on what monitor you should buy. For the casual computer user, CRT would be the best. These are often quite available, and many people use them. Many gamers actually prefer CRT monitors. A LCD monitor is kind of a luxery in my opinion. If you can afford, you can go for it.
In the end, it's all up to you that what monitor you want to buy. So which monitor will you buy?, if asked for new one….
Courtsey: Forums and WebSites (Found while surfing around) and some books.
innerspace said:
Nice post! Having recently converted from a CRT to a Samsung SyncMaster… I think LCD is the way to go. Granted, the LCD seemed REALLY bright when I first set it up, but I have since gotten used to it. I finally have desk space to work with at home instead of this white monstrosity… now my kids get to use the monster! Thankfully, I haven’t had any dead pixels (my Toshiba PocketPC has 3 or 4 of them and that makes me a bit angry). I would agree that an LCD can still be viewed as a bit of a luxury… however they seem to becoming the true standard. I don’t know of anyone that ha bought a decent system from Dell or Gateway or HP that didn’t get an LCD. As global manufacturing capacity continues to grow for LCDs, you should see the price continue to decline.
Sandeep said:
I really agree with you, that as the manufacturer increases, the cost of the LCD monitor will go down, but till the time the cost is high, I will prefer CRT. Nonetheless, CRT has good picture quality as compared to the lCD.
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dr.rajasekaran said:
Hai, im dr.rajasekaran, my suggestion for avoiding eye strain please maintain your CRT monitor’s refresh rate > 80 with respective and max. resolution provided by your CRT monitor manufecturer. you can get good quality of screen output also.
Mike Watches said:
It must be hard to remember everything you said. I bet there are times when you go back and read what you wrote and you wonder who wrote that.
Rahul Sharma said:
In spite of everything, I am going in for 19″ CRT.
The Resolution and the Colour Depth cannot be matched…
Thanks for the info, though…
Ra.
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tropobot said:
Hello. LCD monitors have become cheaper than ever. I went and got myself a brand new Acer AL1916W (19″ widescreen) and it cost me Rs. 9000. Overall quality seems to be quite good and compared to Samsung LCD which costs Rs. 9300 for 17″ monitor, this seemed to be the best choice. Prices as of September, 2007.
Toronto said:
Thanks for this…I am currently getting sucked into the LCD craze, as I really want one, but if the angle quality is going to be at risk, it might not be worth it. All input helps if I’m going to dish out $200+ on new hardware…so this article was quite informative.
Jonathan said:
I own a cybercoffe bussines, LCD is the best for electric bill, time ago I only had CRT, bill was $230.00 dollars each two moths (that’s how in mexico electrical service works), with CRT now I pay $180.00 dollars.
Jonathan said:
Sorry “with CRT now I pay $180.00 dollars.” I mean “with LCD now I pay $180.00 dollars.”