|
Which 19" CRT monitor should I buy?
Friday, 12 August, 2005
I have been looking for a replacement for my Viewsonic17PS monitor. It's an excellent monitor (and has even been repaired twice over the last 8 years or so - as I thought it was worth it) but is now showing its age - with increasing ghosting and loss of clarity.
I use my monitor at multiple resolutions for spreadsheet work, word processing, internet browsing and research, image editing, movie editing, games, DVD and TV playback - and I don't believe an LCD monitor suits my requirements at present. If there was an LCD monitor I could find that had the same image quality as the 17PS - I'd jump at it - but I find LCD monitors inflexible and have not matured to a point where I would pay (the exorbitant $$s) for one. So - CRTs are my preference but I am having trouble finding a brand and model that has the quality I need/want. I am not keen on the aperture grille models (the wires bug me - I know they shouldn't but they do and the last few I have seen have significant convergence problems) - and some of the other monitors I have seen seem to be "dumbed down" versions of what was around a few years ago (poor convergence, overall lacklustre display and performance)....I have seen a few models that have caught my attention (Phillips 109B60 for example - specs. look good ....) but -it is hard to know how they are going to turn out - I'd prefer to buy over the Internet - but it's so risky with a monitor (well - it is when you are fussy anyway). I would be willing to stay with a 17" model if I could find one - but the 17" market seems to be the "nasty" end - while there still seems to be some "serious" monitors in the 19" range.
I'd like (and value) your expert opinions on what you would consider to be a good brand and model. My apologies for rambling a bit - hopefully I've given you an idea as to where I am and what I'm after....
Congratulations on a great magazine by the way - I've been reading it for a while now.... (wow - just checked the first one on my shelf - 10 years this month - a bit scary....)
Hope you get a chance to reply.
Thanks and regards,
Kurt Franklin, Bunbury, WA
 It's good to see there are still people using their brains when it comes to buying products. You're dead right - LCDs are not flexible enough for most applications despite too many so-called experts giving them unqualified "thumbs-up" as the best
thing since sliced bread.
If you check out this month's (Sept 2005) issue of PC User, we've rounded up 19-inch LCD and CRT monitors and certainly Acer's AC915 looks to be a great little bargain buy - good specs at around $250 on the street. But check out the full story in PC User for all the details - but don't take too long - both 19-inch CRT monitors and the Sept 2005 issue are selling fast!
Hope this helps.
And as it's been a while since we last canvassed this debate, we'd be interested to hear what some other readers think about LCD versus CRT. Darren Yates
 Reader solutions
ubuPosted: 28/11/2009 re: Which 19 can you still?
(Yes, but why would you? -PZ) Kurt FranklinPosted: 10/01/2008 re: Which 19 I can't believe it's been so long since I posted that query.
My apologies for not posting back earlier - I will admit that after I received the next PC User that had the write-up - I didn't check back again - sorry - and a specific apology and thankyou to Darren.
Thanks for the replies and comments from everyone (belated - but there we are)
Obviously the technology is getting better after a couple of years - I use a great 21" 1600x1200 Samsung LCD at work now (for a specific and limited range of functions suited to the LCD)- and do have a 19" LCD (mid-range) monitor at home (again, used for a limited range of functions) as well as an LGT910B 19" CRT which I use more and is by far the most flexible and versatile monitor of all the ones I use....
Even though the LCD technologies are maturing and are becoming quite useable, the flexibility and image quality of the LCDs has still not caught up in my opinion. For example - this mid range 19" CRT can operate with no problems at resolutions up to 2048x1536 - (which I do use sometimes to take Hi-Res screenshots of maps etc. and then switch back to my preferred 1280x960@85Hz)
As with many things - I am not about to tell anyone their opinion is wrong (unless they quote "facts" that are erroneous) as opinions are like a favourite colour - I can't say you are wrong because I like orange and you like blue...
Anyway - I'm not going to dispute any power useage, weight, desk space or transportability issues - as far as I am concerned, a monitor is there to provide the visual interface - my priority was not all those other things - my priority was and is flexible resolutions and a quality/useable image for a wide range of uses -as noted in the original question.
Thanks again.
Kurt.
(Thanks Kurt. These old Helpstation questions sure hang around, don't they? -PZ) brucePosted: 19/01/2006 re: Which 19 dont know if you are still looking for a monitor but I'm downsizing my desktop and need to move my IBM P96 19" crt, let me know if you're still in the market.
Bruce
axiscons@bigpond.net.au Syd GILLPosted: 15/08/2005 re: Which 19 The Samsung Syncmaster 957df is my choice as I do a lot of CAD drawing and play high end 3d games. The resolution and response are great and it also comes with a 3yr warranty. andrew peter collinsPosted: 14/08/2005 re: Which 19 after looking at Jeffs post, well he took the words right out of my mouth (and i'd like them back lol). i will never buy a CRT anything. the Cathode Ray Tube has served us well for the last 50 odd years and even though valve amplifiers are now back in vogue (i own a Leak pre-amp and a Leak power amp and i just love it to bits cos it sounds better than some solid state units and its unique as it around 50 years old) i just don't like CRT displays. yes. CRT displays are sharper. the shadow mask behind the screen helps with convergence amongst other things, but give me a LCD anytime. they're light cheap and the resolution is hardly atrocious. also don't forget CRT displays use much more power which we have to generate using fossil fuels. i would love to know how much power we would save switching to LCDs. it's something to think about. cheers Andy. :) :) Trev RobinsonPosted: 13/08/2005 Acer monitors I've had a Accer 77c (17in) since 1998. It seems this monitor won't die, it just keeps going and the picture is still great. Its even done over 5,000kms in the boot of the car!
Yep, I would have to agree Accer are good in my books. Daniel MaherasPosted: 13/08/2005 re: Which 19 Hey there,
I used to be quite sceptical about LCD■s until about a year ago when I first played Medal of Honor Allied Assault: Operation Spearhead on a friends Auriga 17■ LCD with 16ms response during a LAN and I tell you what it was a superb gaming experience, no questions asked! It changed my outlook on LCD■s without a question.
Also I recommend you check this particular search I did on staticICE (http://www.staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=17%22%20LCD&start=38&links=20) and see which one suits you best.
Cheers,
Daniel. MikePosted: 13/08/2005 re: Which 19 I also prefer CRT for image quality and have a couple CRT monitors.
One is a Samsung 17" 753DF and the colours are rich, image is sharp and screen is flat. I know there is a 19" version but don't know the specific model number; I am sure it would look just as good using the same technology and all. My main PC monitor is a MagXJ700T; great picture even after 7 years but it's an aperture grill trinitron tube.
AnonPosted: 13/08/2005 re: Which 19 Hi
I am a electronics technician with over 20 years in the trade. I vote for Hitachi monitor.
Cheer
(Which sort Anon? CRT or LCD?) bertPosted: 13/08/2005 re: Which 19 I replaced my Cornerstone21", 2nd hand and old as at 5yrs ago, but was so so nice and recently went out of focus on me. I know i could fix it but getting 50Kg off my desktop and regaining lost of desktop realestate, was now itrresistable so I chose an AG-Neovo F419. Its sharp, fast, slim and sexy.
I use all the Office apps you metioned plus Corel11 Graphics suite extensively...Im ultra happy with it. Paid $499...bargain... about 3months ago from Computer World. Zero dead pixel replacement warranty for 12months as well :) Recommend it.
Regards
Bert brian margisonPosted: 13/08/2005 re: Which 19 I have a 5 year-old Compaq 17-inch CRT monitor at home, and I use the latest top-of -the range 17 to 21 inch LCD monitors at work.
My personal preference is for CRT rather than what I see as the 'wishy washy' LCD displays. For the applications you are using I would suggest that you stick with CRT. However, the only way you are probably going to find one to suit your needs, is to take the advice from Help Station, or, do the rounds of computer shops and have a look at what's on offer.
I understand the point your making, but technology is moving faster than the speed of light and you just might have to make a compromise. How many times have you used the saying. ' They don't make em like they used to'.
regards Brian
jeff Posted: 12/08/2005 re: Which 19 Having just upgraded to a 17" LCD myself, from a 17" CRT monitor, yes, there is remarkable difference between the two.
1.
The transportation (of either) is like chalk and cheese.
A CRT monitor is a 'two-handed job' to carry, lets not forget it being a 'back-breaker' if one has to carry a CRT monitor any distance.
A LCD monitor, well, in disassembling the base-plate first, one can put back into the box it came in and, then, carry with the greatest of ease (much like one will with a Brief-case) over a much longer distance. No 'back-breaking' in volved.
2.
Cost.
You get what you pay for.
Mine cost $330 (analogue, and a true 17' screen), with 'in-built speakers'.
A CRT monitor is only a 15" classified as a 17" (you get less than what you're paying for). And, getting cheaper to buy every day.
3.
Work-load.
The image quality/clarity (of my LCD monitor) is a great improvement over that of a CRT model. For DVD's, Digital Enhancement of Photos, and the like.
And, oh, yeah, having a decent video-card improves on what you want to do, Kurt.
Maybe yours is not up to it, if you are unhappy with what you're trying to look at?
Replacing both might get your sanity back.
For interest, my LCD monitor is a PolyView S17E model,(screen resolution--VGA 640x480 to SXGA 1152x864/1280x1024),
Response time (under 10ns),
Pixel Pitch (Horz-0.264mm/Vert-0.264mm),
Brightness..400 cd/m (the number Two I can not type up high, to justify this equation),
Bandwidth.... 135Mhz,
Power Consumption....
(Operating mode......51W)
( Stand-by mode........3W)
Net weight..................3.36 kg
Now, how heavy does your old CRT monitor weigh?
|