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Rightly, next on my list of "New bits of hardware I need, and must therefore learn about" is a monitor.
I've done a bit of reading, but I'm bound to have missed a few things.
First off... what type to go for?
I can see my main choices are TFT or CRT...
If I go for CRT, I'll likely get a much bigger screen for the same price, able to support a higher resolution, but also there's slight distortion at the edges and a smaller-than-listed *actual* viewing area. Not sure how this is affected in a flat screen CRT?
TFT will be a smaller screen, but a smaller, lighter, and much nicer looking monitor. Also it's not bombarding light at you, so there's not the same eye-strain, and I do use my computer an awful lot, so this could be a big factor. I've also heard that TFT's tend to be designed for a certain resolution, and don't quite resize perfectly, or something like that. Can anyone elaborate on that?
Cost is an obvious factor... TFT's have been dropping in price fairly rapidly for the last couple of years. Is it worth perhaps waiting another six months, or have they stabilised?
What should I look out for if I'm going for either one?
I know I need to check the refresh rate at different resolutions and the supported resolutions for whichever I go for. Also viewing angles on TFT's. Anything else which is important?
Any advice will be much appreciated!
I've done a bit of reading, but I'm bound to have missed a few things.
First off... what type to go for?
I can see my main choices are TFT or CRT...
If I go for CRT, I'll likely get a much bigger screen for the same price, able to support a higher resolution, but also there's slight distortion at the edges and a smaller-than-listed *actual* viewing area. Not sure how this is affected in a flat screen CRT?
TFT will be a smaller screen, but a smaller, lighter, and much nicer looking monitor. Also it's not bombarding light at you, so there's not the same eye-strain, and I do use my computer an awful lot, so this could be a big factor. I've also heard that TFT's tend to be designed for a certain resolution, and don't quite resize perfectly, or something like that. Can anyone elaborate on that?
Cost is an obvious factor... TFT's have been dropping in price fairly rapidly for the last couple of years. Is it worth perhaps waiting another six months, or have they stabilised?
What should I look out for if I'm going for either one?
I know I need to check the refresh rate at different resolutions and the supported resolutions for whichever I go for. Also viewing angles on TFT's. Anything else which is important?
Any advice will be much appreciated!
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That's not strictly true - I don't do artwork and I love my 1600x1200. Whether you need to squint or no is up to you though, heh.
This is a 17" by the way. And it's crystal clear to me.
This is a 17" by the way. And it's crystal clear to me.
Don't get too big a monitor unless you're doing dedicated art work... I have to squint using 1600x1200, and the 1280x1024 resolution reveals slightly blocky text.
As far as I know a flat screen CRT would also have the smaller than listed viewing area as it is the measurement of the CRT itself that determines whether or not it is a 15" etc. As for distortion, it is not something I have ever had a problem with. My monitor currently is only an LG Studioworks. Although I will have a 19" Iiyamma before christmas.
The reason for TFTs being designed for a certain resolution is that every individual pixel is an basically an LED. On a 1024 by 768 TFT screen there are 768 rows of 1024 LEDs. Hence to use a different resolution would require using 2 LEDs to make one pixel etc. That is it in simple terms.
There is another thing to be wary of with TFT screens. That is dead pixels. Basically some of the LEDs don't work on the screen. Most manufacturers allow up to 6 dead pixels on a screen before quality control would stop it. The manufacturer CTX is good in this regard, they either guarantee no dead pixels or have a lower threshold. Can't remember exactly at the moment.
Eye strain... Obviously something very important, but have you ever had problems with CRTs before? Some people are prone to headaches and the like after sitting at a screen for hours. I'm not, I can sit in front of a screen, any screen, and be fine for hours on end.
I think prices have reached about as low as they will go, although I think if you wait 6 months you would get a bigger TFT for the same money. But I don't really see them getting much cheaper now. I could be wrong,.
As for things like viewing angles, they are pretty good now. I have seen one monitor, an AOC I think it was that had 170 degree viewing angle. Expect more than 120 nowadays. Sunlight might make it more difficult to see than a CRT though.
Whilst TFTs are much better than they were a year or two ago, I still favour CRTs. If the depth of the monitor and the weight of the monitor are not an issue then I would go for a CRT, you can get a bigger screen, higher resolutions and a better refresh rate. And it would still be cheaper. If depth and weight are an issue go for the TFT. That's my advice.
The reason for TFTs being designed for a certain resolution is that every individual pixel is an basically an LED. On a 1024 by 768 TFT screen there are 768 rows of 1024 LEDs. Hence to use a different resolution would require using 2 LEDs to make one pixel etc. That is it in simple terms.
There is another thing to be wary of with TFT screens. That is dead pixels. Basically some of the LEDs don't work on the screen. Most manufacturers allow up to 6 dead pixels on a screen before quality control would stop it. The manufacturer CTX is good in this regard, they either guarantee no dead pixels or have a lower threshold. Can't remember exactly at the moment.
Eye strain... Obviously something very important, but have you ever had problems with CRTs before? Some people are prone to headaches and the like after sitting at a screen for hours. I'm not, I can sit in front of a screen, any screen, and be fine for hours on end.
I think prices have reached about as low as they will go, although I think if you wait 6 months you would get a bigger TFT for the same money. But I don't really see them getting much cheaper now. I could be wrong,.
As for things like viewing angles, they are pretty good now. I have seen one monitor, an AOC I think it was that had 170 degree viewing angle. Expect more than 120 nowadays. Sunlight might make it more difficult to see than a CRT though.
Whilst TFTs are much better than they were a year or two ago, I still favour CRTs. If the depth of the monitor and the weight of the monitor are not an issue then I would go for a CRT, you can get a bigger screen, higher resolutions and a better refresh rate. And it would still be cheaper. If depth and weight are an issue go for the TFT. That's my advice.
Yea TFT takes up alot less space and are less bulky but a CRT can handle higher resolutions and refresh rates that are good for your eyes for cheaper prices compared to some TFT's who have that capability aswell.
I usually buy Hansol CRTs. I find they're every bit as good as TFTs unless space is really an issue.
There's another really good make as well but the name escapes me.
Oh.. it might be NEC. Yeah I think that's it. I always associate NEC with Packard Bell though...
Anyway TFTs are not any better than a decent CRT unless you need the desk space. They're only advantage is the space thing, and they come with a lot of hassle and considerations. Really good CRTs can be had for £200 now.
Well the thing is, TFTs are very nice but to get the same resolution as CRTs you do pay an awful lot of money for them. Don't buy cheap TFTs like the school did heh. Unless of course, resolution isn't a major factor for you.
Don't buy a TFT without strict guidance first.
And Dabs tend to be cheap.
There's another really good make as well but the name escapes me.
Oh.. it might be NEC. Yeah I think that's it. I always associate NEC with Packard Bell though...
Anyway TFTs are not any better than a decent CRT unless you need the desk space. They're only advantage is the space thing, and they come with a lot of hassle and considerations. Really good CRTs can be had for £200 now.
Well the thing is, TFTs are very nice but to get the same resolution as CRTs you do pay an awful lot of money for them. Don't buy cheap TFTs like the school did heh. Unless of course, resolution isn't a major factor for you.
Don't buy a TFT without strict guidance first.
And Dabs tend to be cheap.
Rightly, next on my list of "New bits of hardware I need, and must therefore learn about" is a monitor.
I've done a bit of reading, but I'm bound to have missed a few things.
First off... what type to go for?
I can see my main choices are TFT or CRT...
If I go for CRT, I'll likely get a much bigger screen for the same price, able to support a higher resolution, but also there's slight distortion at the edges and a smaller-than-listed *actual* viewing area. Not sure how this is affected in a flat screen CRT?
TFT will be a smaller screen, but a smaller, lighter, and much nicer looking monitor. Also it's not bombarding light at you, so there's not the same eye-strain, and I do use my computer an awful lot, so this could be a big factor. I've also heard that TFT's tend to be designed for a certain resolution, and don't quite resize perfectly, or something like that. Can anyone elaborate on that?
Cost is an obvious factor... TFT's have been dropping in price fairly rapidly for the last couple of years. Is it worth perhaps waiting another six months, or have they stabilised?
What should I look out for if I'm going for either one?
I know I need to check the refresh rate at different resolutions and the supported resolutions for whichever I go for. Also viewing angles on TFT's. Anything else which is important?
Any advice will be much appreciated!
I've done a bit of reading, but I'm bound to have missed a few things.
First off... what type to go for?
I can see my main choices are TFT or CRT...
If I go for CRT, I'll likely get a much bigger screen for the same price, able to support a higher resolution, but also there's slight distortion at the edges and a smaller-than-listed *actual* viewing area. Not sure how this is affected in a flat screen CRT?
TFT will be a smaller screen, but a smaller, lighter, and much nicer looking monitor. Also it's not bombarding light at you, so there's not the same eye-strain, and I do use my computer an awful lot, so this could be a big factor. I've also heard that TFT's tend to be designed for a certain resolution, and don't quite resize perfectly, or something like that. Can anyone elaborate on that?
Cost is an obvious factor... TFT's have been dropping in price fairly rapidly for the last couple of years. Is it worth perhaps waiting another six months, or have they stabilised?
What should I look out for if I'm going for either one?
I know I need to check the refresh rate at different resolutions and the supported resolutions for whichever I go for. Also viewing angles on TFT's. Anything else which is important?
Any advice will be much appreciated!
Page: