Frank said:
Even a *good* 21" CRT monitor is usually being pushed past it's
dot-pitch when you select resolutions above 1600x1200; so I don't
recommend that, even though most such monitors support far higher input
resolutions. They just don't do a decent job of actually *displaying*
such stuff.
Absurd nonsense. I would methodically go over each and every point with
you, even the subjective ones, but when you boldly mis-state technical
capabilities to try and make your point, you end up taking all the fun
out of having a discussion of the merits.
A 21" monitor, even the 'good' ones can and do display resolutions
higher than 1600x1200, in fact they are recommended to run the desktop
higher than 1600x1200.
Perhaps you do not know what a BNC cable is, you use that when you are
running high resolutions on CRTs, it provides for a superior image than
that provided by the more common Dsub15 cable. Of course, in your side
by side offer to compare, you have BNC cables on those monitors, right?
Don't think so. I know whereof I speak.
I've worked with CRT displays since long before most people here were
even born.
Then you have wasted a lot of time not really understanding how these
displays function, but as I closely read your posts it is clear to me
you actually do understand how they function and that you actually do
agree with me in that CRTs are superior in almost every single
measurable criteria, far far superior in many criteria when, as you
mention 'good', 21" CRTs are used. Which are all that are left in the
current sparse CRT market, as they are still viable products and will be
until a better technology takes their place such as SED, which has the
advantages of a digital display and the advantages of a CRT all rolled
into one.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface-conduction_electron-emitter_display
Like I say, LOOK at the various displays under magnification.
It's a real eye-opener.
Why look at a display under magnification? You look at a display in the
conditions you would likely be using it in. You get the right display
that will best suit your purposes and budget. LCDs have advantages, one
if them is not superior image quality. They can display text with
greater contrast in some circumstances and static images with greater
vividness and more brightness than CRTs. They also have a smaller form
factor and can do widescreen more easily than CRTs, not to mention their
seemingly endless currently cheap supply. Their greatest advantage is
their ability to scale to very large sizes (40+ inches), which CRTs can
not do.
That said, color depth on LCDs is comically bad resulting in ever
present banding, moving images are subject to a host of noticeable
artifacts (such as over shoot and ghosting) inherent to the chosen
electronics and are deal breakers for many gamers. Blacks aren't black
enough, never will be. Refresh rates are fixed and native resolutions
must be adhered to or (more) scaling artifacts are added.
Not to mention, input lag is an issue with LCD panels, further
complicating the gamers position. The one true advantage, widescreen, is
also not unique to LCDs, Sony makes a stunning 24" widescreen CRT, and
it plays Oblivion with a richness and visual quality impossible to match
with any digital panel. Care to see that for yourself?
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=952788
Take a look at some of those screen shots of widescreen Oblivion (and
WOW and Far Cry) on a 24" CRT that can be had for about $500, about the
cost of a new 21" CRT. I challenge you to provide a screen shot of a
game on a widescreen LCD that has the same color reproduction, dynamic
range of light to dark, no input lag, a non fixed refresh rate, no
motion artifacts...you can't so don't bother.
LCD engineers have been struggling desperately to make LCD panels
attractive to gamers, the latest BenQ LCD with fancy 'shutter'
technology, to minimize the in motion artifacts I just mentioned, by
getting the LCD panel to appear more like a CRT. Want to see what the
smart guys are doing to make LCDs more like CRTs, but failing? Here's a
link:
http://www.benq.us/products/LCD/?product=671
THEN look at the two in side-by-side comparisons.
Again, if your eyes are any good, the difference is astounding.
MOST people just stand back and look at the total picture-size and think
that's what actually counts. It isn't. Dot-pitch, versus screen-size
does. Or, in an LCD panel, the equivalent is native resolution.
Dot pitch is no longer relevant as they are all so incredibly small
(.22mm/.25mm) on modern invar masks used in current CRTs. Also the masks
have dual pitch measurements now for additional image quality, one for
horizontal dot pitch and one for vertical.
http://www.viewsonic.com/products/desktopdisplays/crtmonitors/graphicseries/g225fb/
Here's Viewsonic's current G225FB it has a combined dot pitch of .20MM
horizontal .25 diagonal. I speak from experience, you have to stick your
eyeball right up to the screen to see individual elements on a .20DP
masked CRT. Have you ever even seen one? They sell for $499, about $200+
dollars cheaper than a 24" BenQ LCD.
Not to mention, DP is completely irrelevant on Trinitron CRT's which are
preferred by a sub group of CRT users for their superior ability to
display text, some say better than the best LCD. I don't have an opinion
on that comparison, they both look the same to me when cleartype is enabled.
Convergence, pincushion, moire, any and all of the raster errors a CRT
can have are easily adjusted, typically automatically by the controls,
and not a concern after you set them and forget them.
I'll say it again, CRTs are superior in many ways to LCD panels, and
mostly in the single most important way, the final image. Many of the
disadvantages of CRTs have nothing to do with the image.
Of course, I have a feeling that was all in one ear and out the other
with you, but hey, I'm not writing this for you. Cheers!