LCD or CRT?

Answer 1

This question is actually much less valid than it was several years ago. Many companies have cut the production of CRT monitors except for the extremely high end and the very low end. In fact, most desktop computer systems sold now by default come with LCD monitors. Still for those that what to know the difference and which they would be better off purchasing, I have updated this article to be more relevant to the current technologies and products offered today.

CRTs
The primary advantage that CRT monitors held over LCDs was their color rendering. The contrast ratios and depths of colors displayed were much greater with CRT monitors than LCDs. While this still holds true in most cases, many strides have been made in LCDs such that this difference is not as great as it once was. Many graphic designers still use the very expensive large CRT monitors in their work because of the color advantages. Of course, this color ability does degrade over time as the phosphors in the tube break down.

The other advantage that CRT monitors held over LCD screens is the ability to easily scale to various resolutions. This is referred to as multisync by the industry. By adjusting the electron beam in the tube, the screen can easily be adjusted downward to lower resolutions while keeping the picture clarity intact.

While these two items may play an important role for CRT monitors, there are disadvantages as well. The biggest of these are the size and weight of the tubes. An equivalent sized LCD monitor is upwards of 80% smaller in size and weight compared to a CRT tube. The larger the screen, the bigger the size difference. The other major drawback deals with the power consumption. The energy needed for the electron beam means that the monitors consumer and generate a lot more heat than the LCD monitors.

Pros:
Multisync Capable
High Refresh Rates
Color Clarity and Depth

Cons:
Very Heavy and Large
Use Large Amounts of Energy
Generate Excess Heat

LCDs
The biggest advantage to LCD monitors is their size and weight. As was mentioned earlier, the size and weight of an LCD monitor can be upwards of 80% lighter than an equivalent dimension CRT screen. This makes it possible to users to have larger screens for their computers than was really possible before.

LCD screens also tend to produce less eye fatigue to the user. The constant light barrage and scan lines of a CRT gube tend to cause strain on heavy computer users. The lower intensity of the LCD monitors coupled with their constant screen display of pixels being on or off produces less fatigue for the user.

The most notable disadvantage to LCD screens is their fixed or native resolution. An LCD screen can only display the number of pixels in its matrix and no more. It can display a lower resolution in one of two ways. Using only a fraction of the total pixels on the display or through extrapolation. Extrapolation is a method whereby the monitor blends multiple pixels together to simulate a single smaller pixel. This can often lead to a blurry or fuzzy image particularly with text when running the screen below is native resolution.

Video was problematic with early LCD monitors because of lower response times. This has been overcome by many improvements, but there are some that still have low response times. Purchasers should be aware of this when purchasing a monitor. However, the improvements are often work arounds that can actually lead to another problem of reduced color clarity. Unfortunately, the industry is very poor about properly listing the specifications for monitors to help buyers understand and compare monitors.

Pros:
Smaller and Lighter
Energy Efficient
Causes Less Eye Fatigue

Cons:
Blurry Images Outside Native Resolution
Motion Blur on Fast Moving Images
Come Models Have Reduced Color Clarity

Conclusions
At this point and time, most consumers will likely be purchasing LCD monitors over CRTs. There is almost no difference in the cost to consumers thanks to production improvements in LCDs and the reduction in the production of CRTs. Typically CRTs will only be seen sold with the least expensive of desktop computer systems or by those with special imaging needs such as graphics and medical professionals.

Answer 2

Well, the LCD is quite small in size and dangers on the other hand, it is pretty expensive. The CRT is the cheaper type of Monitors, at a more dangerous and higher quality.

Nowadays, TFT Technology allows you to see CRT similar Image quality in an LCD.

A TFT with AM LCD (Thin Film Transistor wth Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Display) would be the best choice:

1. Lower power
2. Less Radiations
3. Less Desktop Space
4. CRT Similar Quality
But at a pretty Higher Price!!!

Best Wishes

Answer 3

Depends on what applications you need this for. As said old is gold. LCD can never replace old good, bulky CRTs because CRTs offer perfect picture geometry. may be for gaming, multimedia, anything no one can match the performance of CRT. And what about the life span of LCD's? Do they match with CRT? the answer is NO. So the safest bet is CRT no matter what.

Answer 4

Matter of preference, really.

LCD's with TFT Active Matrix feature can be just as sharp as CRT's overall, and they take up less space. Also, an LCD doesn't refresh the screen like CRT's do. It's softer on your eyes causing less strain.

CRT's still display better text and dark colors than LCD's, however. They are often much cheaper as well.

Answer 5

With the drop in prices of LCDs, not to mention the lighter weight, why go with a CRT. Unless you're really strapped for cash, go with the LCD.

Answer 6

Although LCD is popular it has its limitations. CRT is still superior in the fact that you have more options. For instance, if you want to get into virtual reality and true 3d you wont be able to with LCD. The screen will not react fast enough.

Answer 7

Depends on what you are using it for:

LCD if you are mainly surfing the internet, general productivity work etc, or if space is the issue

CRT if you are doing Video/Image editing, and lots of gaming, this is because the color is alot truer with a CRT also they have a much faster responce time.

As far as pervious answers go the radiation that comes out of CRT's are harmless. The wavelenghts of electro magnetic radiation and temptist radiation are way to large to cause damage to any of the cells in your body.

Answer 8

I would suggest LCD, better for you eyes. Has less effect when compared to CRT.

Answer 9

CRT for graphics (design related). Some LCDs don't render fast-paced games, like first-person shooters and racing, well and you get a smudging, muddy look. CRTs do not have this problem.

LCDS for everything else... if dead pixels don't infuriate you.

Answer 10

lcd to save your eye from radiation then you can pick crt