Monitor type vs. quality of Graphics

[SilkenKidden]

<p>I'm not sure where to ask this question.  It has definitely to do with Look and Feel, but it is also technical and not really a problem with SOE at all. </p><p>I am using an old 19" CRT and have long been thinking of getting a flat panel.  I recently visited a friend with a state of the arts setup, good graphic card, etc.  But she was using a flat screen TV as monitor.  The graphics are awful compared to my old CRT monitor.  I don't know how she had her panel hooked up.  </p><p>I have a flat screen TV that can be hooked to a PC two ways.  One is using a D-Sub cable that plugs into a special PC IN connection on the TV.  The other is using HDMI/DVI cable and jack on the TV connected to PC output jack on the computer. </p><p>Would I get better quality using one or the other of these two methods? </p><p>Would I get better quality buying a flat screen monitor that isn't a TV?  Does the quality of graphics change from one to the other? </p><p>Are the old fashioned CRT tubes still far superior to the flat screen which would mean I'll never match the great look I get in SOE using an LCD panel? </p><p>I'm pretty sure my ATI video card is DVI.  That means it can be used for either analog of digital, right?  </p>

[Thoronve]

<p>Ok - Caveat first: I'm not an uber technical expert in these things, but my RL job involves technical support, and below is MY experiences in these things - your mileage may vary...</p><p>CRTs work by exciting the phosper coating on the inside of the screen. the phosper glows when excited (by a beam from the 'gun' inside). With old black and white TV's, this was fairly simple, but when colour was introduced this looked terrible. the solution was to apply a 'mask' just before the screen like this:</p><p>O O O O O O O O O O OO O O O O O O O O O O</p><p>Each gun could only 'shoot' through the holes (the 'o's) in the mask. This helped a lot. In practice, each gun colour was aligned to specific holes:</p><p>R G B R G B R G B B R G B R G B RR G B R G B R G B</p><p>...meaning that the screen was filled with little RGB triangles:</p><p>R G    B R B       G</p><p>The distance between the holes, or 'dots' is called the 'dot-pitch' and affects the resolution of the display.</p><p>With LCD (or TFT - a superior system) displays each pixel ('picture-element') was made of a small light emitting 'thingy' and each pixel could independently display Red, or Green, or Blue or something in-between. This (to my mind) gives a technical advantage over CRTs.</p><p>Now - CRT manufacturers didn't stand still and for a while both methods were in competition. Sony, in particular, invented Trinitron displays - which simply means they could put two VERY VERY thin wires across the screen (at one third down, and two thirds down) to help make the image sharper.</p><p>So which to choose?</p><p>At equal resolutions, a good CRT will beat a poor LCD/TFT any day - if you put up with the bulk of the monitor. A good LCD/TFT will beat a poor CRT also.</p><p>Whether a display is a TV or a monitor doesn't really come into it - a TV simply has a built in tuner (usually cheap and therefore not as good a display as it can be). With computer connection, it's the quality of the signal that determines the quality of the image. Any display that can take a digital signal wins over an analog signal. Your friend may have been using an analog connection (and an RGB cable is analog- I believe, but not 100% sure).</p><p>HDMI/DVI connections are for High Definition, and good modern graphics cards can supply HDMI/DVI . If yours can - this i would say is the way to go. Its fully digital, and represents the best signal can get these days (without spending a small fortune). If your display takes DVI, then hook it up and tell your card to output to there.</p><p>Between CRT and LCD/TFT as a display, I would now choose LCD/TFT (Flatscreen) - very good displays are not that expensive.</p><p>Your ATI card probably has an analog connector (RGB?), but the DVI connector is digital only.</p><p>In short:</p><p>Card to output DVI, use a GOOD DVI cable, DVI into display, display set to use DVI, and LCD/TFT over CRT. that's what I have and the difference over my old setup (RGB to Trinitron CRT) is like night and day....</p><p>Hope that helps, Silken :)</p><p>-Thoronve-</p><p>in short:</p>

[Naubeta]

CRTs are better. But since everyone now uses LCDs images are produced with them in mind, and since they can't show the full range of contrast things appear "too dark" when viewed on a CRT.

[Karlen]

>>>Would I get better quality buying a flat screen monitor that isn't a TV? Does the quality of graphics change from one to the other? <<<One issue is that most TVs have a lower resolution than LCD monitors.   I use a 32" LCD TV that has a native resolution of 1366x768, although I run it at 1280x960 in order to get a bit more on the screen (TVs have built in scalars that let you run at "higher than native" resolutions).  It looks pretty good, but not as good as it would on a higher resolution screen running at native resolution.I run my windows desktop at 1360x768. On the other hand, a higher resolution 32" monitor would cost a lot more.  When you start looking at 42" and 50" the price difference grows even more, although the low resolution would likely be more of an issue with a big TV like that.More recent TVs than mine are tending towards "1080p" resolution, which I think is 1920x1080.  This comes closer to most monitors.  For example, I also have a 19" monitor that has a resolution of 1280x1024.That said, my TV looks pretty good since I sit about 8 feet back from it when playing.  I use a bluetooth keyboard and mouse from my couch.

[SilkenKidden]

<cite>Thoronve@Kithicor wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Your ATI card probably has an analog connector (RGB?), but the DVI connector is digital only.</p><p>In short:</p><p>Card to output DVI, use a GOOD DVI cable, DVI into display, display set to use DVI, and LCD/TFT over CRT. that's what I have and the difference over my old setup (RGB to Trinitron CRT) is like night and day....</p><p>Hope that helps, Silken <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>-Thoronve-</p><p>in short:</p></blockquote><p>Thank you very much for the great explanation.  I'll have to pull out the documentation on the ATI card or maybe call the people who installed it.  Of course, I know where the CRT is now plugged in.  I guess the DVI input would be very near that.  The picture of the HDMI/DVI cable in the TV documentation shows the same end for both that cable and the D-Sub cable that is used to PC-IN.  I'm pretty sure the PC-IN connection is analog. </p><p>My ATI card shows ATI on the toolbar but it says <u>Radeon 9950</u> in Display Manager on Control Panel.  Actually it shows two of them.  It shows another called <u>Radeon 9950 Secondary</u>.</p>

[-Arctura-]

(( Paint one of your walls white, and get an HD projector facing the wall, then sit back and play Theatre-style.Its really worth it.Next best thing, hijack your AV unit at your local School/college/university campus and play your game on the big screen. Most laptops have out-ports for this sort of thing to hook em up to projectors.

[wullailhuit]

<cite>Silken@Butcherblock wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Thoronve@Kithicor wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Your ATI card probably has an analog connector (RGB?), but the DVI connector is digital only.</p><p>In short:</p><p>Card to output DVI, use a GOOD DVI cable, DVI into display, display set to use DVI, and LCD/TFT over CRT. that's what I have and the difference over my old setup (RGB to Trinitron CRT) is like night and day....</p><p>Hope that helps, Silken <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>-Thoronve-</p><p>in short:</p></blockquote><p>Thank you very much for the great explanation.  I'll have to pull out the documentation on the ATI card or maybe call the people who installed it.  Of course, I know where the CRT is now plugged in.  I guess the DVI input would be very near that.  The picture of the HDMI/DVI cable in the TV documentation shows the same end for both that cable and the D-Sub cable that is used to PC-IN.  I'm pretty sure the PC-IN connection is analog. </p><p>My ATI card shows ATI on the toolbar but it says <u>Radeon 9950</u> in Display Manager on Control Panel.  Actually it shows two of them.  It shows another called <u>Radeon 9950 Secondary</u>.</p></blockquote>I have the same , it's because the card can send signals out to 2 monitors at the same time.You can stretch your desktop over 2 monitors , I do when I'm 2-boxing with one windowed instance of the game on each monitor.

[Terayon]

Ive been using Flatscreen LCD's for a few years, and personally the "quality" is just fine if not even. Not to mention I actually have desk space.

[Naubeta]

LCDs are easier on your eyes for reading text and their geometry is perfect.But they all (all of them no matter how good) have worse contrast and colour than CRTs.

[Arkinon]

<h2>CRTs</h2> The most prevalent type of monitor today is the cathode ray tube (CRT). Despite its rather sci-fi sounding name, a CRT is the same as the picture tube inside your TV. They work by firing beams of electrons at phosphor dots on the inside of a glass tube. The phosphors in a CRT are chemicals that emit red, green or blue light when hit by electrons. These monitors are capable of multiple resolutions, give the best look to full-motion video and provide better control over colour calibration for graphic artists. On the down side, they hog a lot of room and weigh more than several sacks of potatoes. You can get more compact CRTs called short-depth or short-neck monitors which are a couple of inches shallower than regular CRTs. Unless space is a primary consideration, most people buy a CRT display because they offer good performance at an affordable price. <h2>LCDs</h2> In the opposing corner are flat panel displays or LCDs (liquid crystal displays) commonly used in laptops and fast becoming popular as desktop monitors. Their major selling points are a slim profile and light weight. A CRT can be deeper than it is wide, whereas a LCD with a base is only about a handspan deep. No heavy lifting required with a LCD; they weigh less than half the average CRT. LCDs require half the power of CRTs and emit much less electromagnetic radiation which can interfere with other electronic devices. In the screen of a LCD monitor, each pixel is produced by a tiny cell which contains a thin layer of liquid crystals. These rod-shaped molecules bend light in response to an electric current. It's the same display technology that resides in your digital watch but more sophisticated. LCDs tend to be clearer than CRTs which can suffer from convergence or focus difficulties. Their improved clarity means that even small LCDs can display higher resolutions than the corresponding sized CRT. They also make small text easier to read. Unlike CRTs, LCD monitors have only one optimal resolution. At lower resolutions, the screen is redrawn as a smaller area or all the pixels in the image are blown-up to fill the screen. The latter solution can make images look jagged and blocky so be sure the resolution of the LCD is the resolution you want to use. <h2>Size</h2> Regardless of what type of monitor you're considering, size is a priority. A bigger monitor offers easier to read text, better graphics and the ability to have more and larger windows open on your desktop. All monitor sizes are measured diagonally across the screen, but that number isn't the true viewable area. The plastic frame around the monitor hides a certain amount of the screen so there is a difference between the quoted size and the actual viewable area. A monitor's viewable area should be within an inch or so of the quoted size. <h2>Resolution</h2> A factor for both CRTs and LCDs is resolution. The number of pixels horizontally and vertically defines a monitor's resolution in pixels or dots per inch (ppi or dpi). The greater the resolution, the more information or image you'll be able to view at once. The average user will find a resolution of 1024x768 more than sufficient for everyday work. You can achieve this resolution on CRT monitors 17 inches and larger or LCDs 15 inches and larger. Keep in mind that CRTs can display multiple resolutions, but LCDs are optimized at only one resolution. <h2>Extras</h2> Monitors can come with a variety of extras. Some have built-in speakers or jacks for microphones and headphones. Other monitors have dual inputs so you can connect two computers to the same monitor. With the advent of USB (Universal Serial Bus), some monitors have USB hubs at the back, allowing you to connect more peripherals. You can also get accessories like anti-glare filters and specialized mounting stands that help minimize glare and provide a comfortable working position. <h2>Power Conservation</h2> To keep your utility bill down, you should look for a monitor that is Energy Star compliant. Energy Star is a program developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make energy-saving office equipment like computers and monitors. An Energy Star monitor automatically goes to sleep or powers down after a period of inactivity. This feature can save 60-80% of power during idle times. All you have to do to wake up the monitor is touch the keyboard or mouse. <h2>Emissions</h2> The majority of monitors are certified as "low emission" since they meet standards like MPR II or TCO. These guidelines were developed in Sweden (the acronyms are Swedish too) by a number of organizations to set limits for electric and magnetic field emissions. The newer TCO standards are the strictest. So if you're concerned about emissions look for MPR II or TCO certification, not just the words "low emission."  <h1>CRT Features</h1> <h2>Refresh Rate</h2> If you've decided to get a new CRT then it should have a sufficiently high refresh rate. This refers to how often the screen is redrawn per second. With low refresh rates you can get screen flicker and eye strain. Aim for a rate of 75 Hz for a monitor up to 17 inches in size and 85 Hz for any larger monitor. LCDs are basically flicker free so refresh rates aren't important. <h2>Dot Pitch</h2> Another consideration for CRTs is dot pitch. This is the distance in millimeters between phosphors of the same colour. The smaller the dot pitch, the sharper the image. Opt for a dot pitch of 0.26 mm or smaller. You can measure dot pitch both horizontally and vertically, but monitor specs usually quote horizontal dot pitch. Occasionally, the dot pitch is measured diagonally. By multiplying diagonal dot pitch by 0.866, you can calculate horizontal dot pitch.  <h1>LCD Features </h1> <h2>Viewing Angle</h2> One of the main disadvantages of LCDs when compared to CRTs is their limited viewing angle. When viewing a LCD straight on it looks fine. But the screen will appear washed-out if you move your head over to the side and look at it from an extreme angle. Low-end LCDs can have viewing angles of only 100 degrees which won't give everyone crowded round your desk a clear view. For a standard 15 inch LCD try to get a 140 degree viewing angle. Up that by 20-40 degrees when shopping for an 18 inch LCD. <h2>Brightness</h2> The brightness of LCD monitors is another important factor. LCD monitors have several backlights that provide illumination. Brightness is measured in units called nits. The majority of LCDs produce 150-200 nits which is fine for most users. The backlights in a LCD are good for 10 to 50 thousand hours of operation. Since they're fairly fragile and more likely to break, backlights usually come with only a one year warranty. This warranty is separate from the one for the screen so you might want to extend the backlight warranty to match the duration of your screen warranty. <h2>Positioning</h2> LCDs can provide a range of options for positioning a display. The common way to view a screen is landscape mode (longer than wide). Some LCDs let you pivot the screen 90 degrees so you can view it in portrait mode (taller than wide) which is great if you're growing tired of scrolling so often. You should also check out whether the screen can both tilt and swivel. Easy adjustment is important if you'll be doing presentations. You can even mount some LCDs on the wall like a picture. <h2>Flat Panel vs. CRT Monitors</h2> As Flat Panels continue to drop in price, consumers have to choose between space-saving aesthetics or better-priced screen quality. If space and aesthetics are important to you, then a flat panel is the way to go. Compared to CRT displays they use very little power, emit less heat and radiation, take up a smaller amount of space and are easy on the eyes. If space is not an issue, it's probably better to get a good quality 19" CRT monitor than an entry-level 15" flat panel. As well, if you use your computer a lot for graphics and games, a CRT offers a sharper and more detailed display. The best thing you can do is spend some time at an electronics store and put a flat panel through its paces. Open up Word and start typing, read the text and view images and video if possible.Compiled from <a href="http://www.lcdtvbuyingguide.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.lcdtvbuyingguide.com/</a>

[Nulad]

<p>Brightness is measured in units called nits. </p><p>What the .... </p><p>While 1 nit does indeed equal 1 cd/m2 (candelas per meter square) I have never ever seen an lcd panel list nits as it's brightness specs.  They always use cd/m2.</p>

[Miladi]

<cite>Thoronve@Kithicor wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Ok - Caveat first: I'm not an uber technical expert in these things, but my RL job involves technical support, and below is MY experiences in these things - your mileage may vary...</p><p>CRTs work by exciting the phosper coating on the inside of the screen. the phosper glows when excited (by a beam from the 'gun' inside). With old black and white TV's, this was fairly simple, but when colour was introduced this looked terrible. the solution was to apply a 'mask' just before the screen like this:</p><p>O O O O O O O O O O OO O O O O O O O O O O</p><p>Each gun could only 'shoot' through the holes (the 'o's) in the mask. This helped a lot. In practice, each gun colour was aligned to specific holes:</p><p>R G B R G B R G B B R G B R G B RR G B R G B R G B</p><p>...meaning that the screen was filled with little RGB triangles:</p><p>R G    B R B       G</p><p>The distance between the holes, or 'dots' is called the 'dot-pitch' and affects the resolution of the display.</p><p>With LCD (or TFT - a superior system) displays each pixel ('picture-element') was made of a small light emitting 'thingy' and each pixel could independently display Red, or Green, or Blue or something in-between. This (to my mind) gives a technical advantage over CRTs.</p><p><span style="color: #ff0000;"><span style="color: #ff0000;">Each pixel is still made up of 3 different colors, each one being a different colored LCD (liquid crystal).</span></span></p><p>Now - CRT manufacturers didn't stand still and for a while both methods were in competition. Sony, in particular, invented Trinitron displays - which simply means they could put two VERY VERY thin wires across the screen (at one third down, and two thirds down) to help make the image sharper.</p><p><span style="color: #ff0000;"><span style="color: #ff0000;">The 2 wires you see on the Trinitron displays are actually there to hold the grill in place, not to sharpen the picture. If the damper wires weren't there the aperture grill would vibrate badly every time you tapped or moved the monitor.</span></span></p><p>So which to choose?</p><p>At equal resolutions, a good CRT will beat a poor LCD/TFT any day - if you put up with the bulk of the monitor. A good LCD/TFT will beat a poor CRT also.</p><p>Whether a display is a TV or a monitor doesn't really come into it - a TV simply has a built in tuner (usually cheap and therefore not as good a display as it can be). With computer connection, it's the quality of the signal that determines the quality of the image. Any display that can take a digital signal wins over an analog signal. Your friend may have been using an analog connection (and an RGB cable is analog- I believe, but not 100% sure).</p><p><span style="color: #ff0000;"><span style="color: #ff0000;">Correct on that.</span></span></p></blockquote>