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General discussion

CRT and Flat Screen CRT

May 21, 2005 5:58AM PDT

Hi I'm new to monitors and I wanted to buy a monitor to replace my old one. I'm planning to buy a crt monitor because I have a lot of available space on my desk. Can anyone tell me the difference between a regular CRT monitor and a Flat Screen CRT monitor? And also, is it true that LCD monitors are better for your eyes, if so, by how much? Thank you for your help.

Discussion is locked

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Flat is better
May 22, 2005 4:24PM PDT

A flat CRT is flat from one side of the bezel to the other. Non-flat CRT's have a curve around the edges which can distort the picture if you use the whole screen. Some people simply adjust the viewable area of a curved screen to create a border to minimize the effect of the curvature. You really don't get to take advantage of the actual size of a curved CRT no matter if you adjust it or not, unless of course you don't mind your picture bending around at the edges. Flat CRT's generally cost a little more because the production method is harder to implement. Though if you want a decent picture and you don't mind paying a little extra, flat screens are the way to go because you get to view the whole picture as it was meant to be seen.

As for LCD's being easier on the eyes my guess would be that CRT's are shooting an electron beam at your eyes and LCD's only have a backlight. Any time you expose your eyes to intense radiation such as you do when you sit for long periods in front of a CRT logic tells you it can't be good.

I might mention that there are a few rules to follow that will help keep eye strain to a minimum. 1) Sit as far from the monitor as is practical. Generally at least an arms length or more. 2) Take breaks away from the monitor as often as is practical. Long periods of monitor viewing is unwise. 3) Make sure there is another source of light in the area where you are viewing the monitor. Sitting in a dark room with the monitor as your only light source is always going to be hard on your eyes.

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Thank You
May 23, 2005 9:40AM PDT

Thank you for the information, John. I really appreciate it.

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YW
May 23, 2005 3:18PM PDT

No problem, hope it helped.