CRT
Sort for cathode-ray tubes, CRT monitors were the only choice consumers had for monitor technology for many years. Cathode ray tube (CRT) technology has been in use for more than 100 years, and is found in most televisions and computer monitors. A CRT works by moving an electron beam back and forth across the back of the screen. Each time the beam makes a pass across the screen, it lights up phosphor dots on the inside of the glass tube, thereby illuminating the active portions of the screen. By drawing many such lines from the top to the bottom of the screen, it creates an entire screen of images.Meaning they can display many different colors and really great contrasts without any real noticeable flaws.
LCD
LCD's (liquid crystal display) have been around for a good while to, around the 1970's but they were very expesive and not very reliable. LCD's have made a lot of headway recently and have come a long way since their creation. Unlike those clunky CRT monitors, LCD displays usually weigh in under 10 pounds and are only 3 inches deep. Another important factor - especially if you are a gamer - is response time. And your magic number is 16 - 16 milliseconds to be exact. Anything more and you will probably notice ghosting and other image artifacts during gameplay. Not cool! Also make sure it has a brightness factor of at least 400 lumens, though 500 or better is strongly recommended. Any less, and colors may appear washed out or less vibrant.
Pros & cons of CRT vs LCD
- Resolution & Qulaity Viewing on a CRT is flexible and a newer model will provide you with viewing resolutions of up to 1600 by 1200 and higher, whereas on an LCD the resolution is fixed within each monitor (called a native resolution). The resolution on an LCD can be changed.
- A CRT monitor can be viewed from almost any angle, but with an LCD this is often a problem. When you use an LCD, your view changes as you move different angles and distances away from the monitor. At some odd angles, you may notice the picture fade, and possibly look as if it will disappear from view.
- Size and Weight: LCD's get the big win. Their small footprint makes them extremely adaptable to just about any surface. Many even have special mounts so you can hang them on walls.
- Picture Quality: In a few years this category could very well be a tie. Right now, LCD's still lag somewhat due to less than true colors, brightness, and lack of flexibility with resolutions.
Final Thoughts
Overall, CRT is still the king of the hill in my opinion, but LCD's are so close in every category - even ahead in a few - that it is ultimately a choice only you can make.
