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**wkulecz** · 18 January 2003, 14:52

Dual monitors. 1280x1024 LCD panel as primary and 20" 1600x1200 CRT as secondary for photoshop is what I use.

--wally.

**Brian Ellis** · 19 January 2003, 00:49

Wally

It won't be long before I have to make a similar decision. I have on my main "office" computer a 21" Nokia, about 9 years old, which is showing distinct signs of cathode wear (the wick is now turned up to max for a reasonable if streaky image). On my video computer, I have a 21" Hitachi, which still seems OK, but I bought it about 1989, I think (even as a reseller, it cost a fortune, then!). I run them both at 1024 x 768 x 24 bit at 72 Hz (max) frame rate for the Hitachi and 80 Hz for the Nokia.

What size is your LCD? Is it comfortable for video work? As you have both types, presumably side-by-side, which do you actually prefer? Does anyone know the lifetime of LCD, compared with CRT?

My daughter in Switzerland has LCD, I think 15", on one computer and I was impressed by the "crispness" of the image.

Another point: my eyes ain't wot they used to be, so I want the best for the job.

**wkulecz** · 19 January 2003, 07:04

My LCD is a 17" "no-name" GEM monitor that Fry's has had on sale for as low as $370 after rebate. My wife has a 17.5" Viewsonic that cost more than twice as much, I'm not giving up much in side by side comparison -- the Viewsonic has about the best off-axis image display I've seen yet, the GEM can barely match half this range.

Pretty much stand-alone panels (not part of notebook computers) below 17" are 1024x768 and above is 1280x1024. There are exceptions of course.

I've happy with the LCD for video editing, but having Matrox G450 DVDmax output helps avoid any surprises.

For photoshop LCD monitors still have aways to go, although the Viewsonic display matches colors from my wife's Epson Stylus 870 probably well enough for most casual users to be very happy.

www.tigerdirect.com has some LCD monitors with lower resolutions in larger sizes that you might be intrested in since you are running 21" at 1024x768.

I love the 15" 1600x1200 LCD on my Inspiron 8200 -- I wish dell would offer these panels as a stand-alone monitor for ~$500-600 ( should be possible since I only paid $1700 for the computer) three of them abreast would make me spring for a Paraheila.

My productivity is pretty much proportional to how may usable pixels I have in front of me at any given time.

--wally.

**Brian Ellis** · 19 January 2003, 08:52

Ta much for the info, Wally

**dchip** · 19 January 2003, 12:21

LCD's are definately easy on the eyes. I have a smallish 16" Sharp LL-T1620 running at 1280x1024 on DVI and the view is excellent. This LCD has great specs, is very sleek and stylish and the brightness, contrast, etc. is far better than the old CRT. My desk is so clean now that I even feel better when I'm working. Best of all, I can work on video all day and night with no eyestrain. If you have any problems with your vision, you might want to consider an 18" or 19" LCD.

**Greebe** · 19 January 2003, 14:02

@moreau

While most are led to believe LCD's are more energy effecient, in reality this is only true when comparing smaller low res models. Large high res LCD's consume as much power (relatively speaking) as do their crt counter parts.

LCD's are 6 bit color depth not 24 bit... only a few of the highest end models boast 8 bit.

Also note the screen refresh speed of the LCD... needs to be less than 25ms for there not to be any ghosting or the like.

**dchip** · 19 January 2003, 18:37

Mine is 8-bit. Nothing close to 24, but, since LCD's do not refresh, the continuous image is much easier on the eyes. Some say the colors do not look as rich as a CRT. I have not missed my CRT and really could not go back to a glass image.

**Indiana** · 19 January 2003, 19:21

Yes, colors on the LCD do look less rich and more pixelized than on CRTs. However on good LCDs the image still is sharper than even on a high end monitor and of course more "steady".
I have an Iiyama 22" CRT and an Eizo L665 18.1" TFT, and I really can't say which one I'd choose if I'd be forced to give one of them away, so this really is a question that is not easy to answer....

It's depending on the preferences:
- For gaming and DVD / desktop video use (and maybe image editing) I'd definitely prefer the CRT
- For 2d Windows use / wordprocessing/datasheets/... I'd definitely prefer the TFT

Unfortunately I don't have a particular bias on one of those applications but do all of them to about the same amount.
So the best solution would be as already suggested a DualMonitor setup with one CRT and one TFT - a very expensive setup, unfortunately

**moreau** · 20 January 2003, 09:52

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?TabPage=TechSpecs&sku=320-0249&spagenum=1&category_id=211&keyword=&c=us&l=en&cs=04&mnf=&prst=&prEnd=&mnfsku=&orderby=&searchtype=&pageb4search=&page=productlisting.aspx&instock=&refurbished=

Color Support: 24-bit (16.7M colors)

Sorry for the misstatment. The above is what I was looking at...

Keep the info coming!

CEM

**moreau** · 21 January 2003, 09:40

An Update

Went to a local CompUSA yesterday and did a little shopping.

I looked at a couple of LCDs. One was a Samsung 191T, I believe, and the other was a Viewsonic VX model.

Both were in the 18 inch range, and both were priced at about 899 dollars US.

I think that trip pushed me toward the CRT route.

The Samsung was running off of the analog output of an ATI 9700. The Viewsonic was running DVI off of a Ti4200.

Both images were nice and bright, and both were running a game when I showed up. (Jedi Knight II and UT2K3, respectively).

While I was pleasantly surprised with the gaming quality (I could certainly live with them, long term), I wasn't real pleased with certain aspects of the 2D performance. Sorta the opposite of what I expected.

For instance, when I dragged a window or a dialogue box, I didn't care for the way that monitor kept up. I think for long term use, this would begin to bother me. Plus, text, while fairly sharp, didn't have that really nice crispness I am seeking. I really want a high res monitor with crisp text.

So... If I am left with a CRT... which one?

21 or 19 inch: Well, 19inch is certainly the price sweet spot. You get a lot more for your money. Though, 1600x1200 on a 19 gets a bith tight, unless the images is dead nuts sharp.

21 inch I can comfortably run 16x12 or higher for everyday use, though they are big, bulky, expensive, etc.

I've heard good things about the sony CRTs, 21 and 19, but they cost a premium. What about the Mitsu Diamondtron? any good models using these tubes? and what about others using the Sony tube?

I appreciate your additional input here.
Charles

**CaN-o-PuS** · 21 January 2003, 12:08

I have two 19" trinitrons (both Dell branded Sony which I think have superior electronics to the Sony branded ones I've seen) one at home and one at work. Both are excellent and can be had for very little dough when purchased from Dell during a sale. I've seen the 19" Trini go for under $300 on one occaision. You'll want to pick up coupons from Techbargains.com to get the best deal most of the time. I also have a Viewsonic Pro series 19" at home, which beats the Sony for gamma but loses big time in the sharpness department. Of the many problems with CRTs including Sonys is getting decent sharpness at the edges as well as the center, moire, convergance accross the whole screen and geometric distortions.

When it comes to sharp text nothing I have seen in 21 years of staring at these things 8+ hours a day can touch the 1600x1200 LCD on my Dell Latitude work machine. To say it is razor sharp is an insult to how crisp and crystal clear the text is. Unfortuneatly I can't comment on it for video or photo work as my occupation is programming-the multi media stuff is a hobby at home for me.

I think Dell offers a similar display in a stand alone, you'll need to go DVI to get the truly remarkable results. If there is any way you could feast your eyes on one of these before buying you may think twice about going the CRT route.

**wkulecz** · 21 January 2003, 15:41

I'll certaily agree based on what I've seen that Dell has cut some really good OEM deals with Sony, Samsung, Nec, et'all. The Dell branded stuff sure seems to beat the hell out of name branded products at simailar price points.

Even if you hate Dell computers for whatever reason, you are potentially missing out if you ignore their LCD & CRT monitors.

--wally.

**CaN-o-PuS** · 21 January 2003, 18:04

Here are some great LCD deals, but they expire tomorrow. Very tempting!!

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/sna.aspx?cs=04&~folder=04_topic&~topic=bsd_wk12_20off_monitors&~script=sna&c=us&l=en

**dchip** · 21 January 2003, 19:48

The Dell 1900FP is a rebranded Samsung 191T but cannot be rotated to portrait view and does not have whatever the Samsung has that lets it run out-of-spec resolutions. You can run other than 1280x1024 on the 1900FP but it won't look exactly right. I had a chance to buy a new 1900FP from Dell Small Business a few weeks ago for $638, but let the deal slip by.

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