Plasma or CRT monitor?

[Melissa]

Hi all,

I have in my children room a computer with a 15 inch CRT monitor.

As the prices for a similar 15 inch Plasma monitor are now affordable, I was
thinking to exchange the existing CRT monitor with a Plasma monitor.

But I have read somewhere that the Plasma monitors are not as friendly for
the eyes as the CRT monitors.

I would like to have the opinion on this from other uses and if somebody can
supply me with links about this, I would like to read them too.

Regards,

Melissa

 

[paulmd]

Hi all,

I have in my children room a computer with a 15 inch CRT monitor.

As the prices for a similar 15 inch Plasma monitor are now affordable, I was
thinking to exchange the existing CRT monitor with a Plasma monitor.

But I have read somewhere that the Plasma monitors are not as friendly for
the eyes as the CRT monitors.

I would like to have the opinion on this from other uses and if somebody can
supply me with links about this, I would like to read them too.

Regards,

Melissa

Plasma is rare in computer monitors. It's seen more in big flatscreen
TVs. LCD is better for monitors.

 

[JS]

LCD displays have for the most part replaced CRT monitors as the standard
supplied with new computers. Size is not the same however as a 15 inch LCD
display is actually 15 inches where CRT monitor are about one inch less in
size than the advertised size.

LCD displays work best at their default resolution (most common is 1280 by
1024) and the standard size is now either a 17 inch LCD or a 19 inch LCD. A
17 inch LCD will cost about $99.00 than a 17 inch CRT monitor.

The main advantage of a CRT monitor is that any resolution (800x600 or
1020x768 or 1280x1024) will look crisp and clear when displaying text and
graphics. LCD monitors look best at their default resolution and when going
away from the default the text will look slightly less clear, even when
using clear type fonts. LCD graphics (photos) look as good if not better
than a CRT monitor.

LCD displays come with either a digital or analog connector or both. CRT
monitors typically use an analog connector so if you decide to purchase an
LCD display make certain that it has a compatible connector (cable) that
will work with your PCs video card.

Also go to a store and look at some displays and ask the sales person to
show the display with text and then with a photo. Also ask the person to
demonstrate the display functions like contrast and brightness. Sales
sometimes jack up the controls to make one display look better than another
next to it so the sell more of a particular model.

JS

 

[GHalleck]

LCD displays have for the most part replaced CRT monitors as the standard
supplied with new computers. Size is not the same however as a 15 inch LCD
display is actually 15 inches where CRT monitor are about one inch less in
size than the advertised size.

LCD displays work best at their default resolution (most common is 1280 by
1024) and the standard size is now either a 17 inch LCD or a 19 inch LCD. A
17 inch LCD will cost about $99.00 than a 17 inch CRT monitor.

The main advantage of a CRT monitor is that any resolution (800x600 or
1020x768 or 1280x1024) will look crisp and clear when displaying text and
graphics. LCD monitors look best at their default resolution and when going
away from the default the text will look slightly less clear, even when
using clear type fonts. LCD graphics (photos) look as good if not better
than a CRT monitor.

LCD displays come with either a digital or analog connector or both. CRT
monitors typically use an analog connector so if you decide to purchase an
LCD display make certain that it has a compatible connector (cable) that
will work with your PCs video card.

Also go to a store and look at some displays and ask the sales person to
show the display with text and then with a photo. Also ask the person to
demonstrate the display functions like contrast and brightness. Sales
sometimes jack up the controls to make one display look better than another
next to it so the sell more of a particular model.

JS

If the children are youngsters, then one must also contend
with the ease of removal of peanut butter and jelly from the
screen's surfaces, dirty fingerprints, smudges, smears, etc.
IMO, the glass of a CRT monitor is still easier to keep clean.

 

[JS]

Your right about that and also not as easy to tip over if bumped.

JS

 

[Melissa]

Thanks for your replies, JS and GHalleck,

But unless I missed something, I didn't see any reponse to my question
weither the LCD display's are worse for the eyes as a CFT display.

This is the most important for me to decide if an "upgrade" would make
sense.

Regards,

Melissa

 

[Robert Gault]

Thanks for your replies, JS and GHalleck,

But unless I missed something, I didn't see any reponse to my question
weither the LCD display's are worse for the eyes as a CFT display.

This is the most important for me to decide if an "upgrade" would make
sense.

Regards,

Melissa

If anything CRTs can be worse for the eyes. However, you need to
understand some facts about the human eye/brain connection to put this
into context.

Staring at any small screen -TV or computer- for extended periods of
time is "hard" on the eyes. That is because the eyes do not move in the
head and the muscles get tired from holding the eyes in a fixed
position. No permanent damage but headaches could result.

CRTs flicker at the vertical sync rate. If this rate is low 60-70 Hz,
the brain will detect the flicker which causes fatigue and possibly
headaches. Detection of flicker decreases at higher vertical sync and
good monitors can work at 85Hz or higher rates. This reduces or
eliminates the problem.
LCD monitors do not have this problem even at 60Hz vertical because
they do not flicker.

Use of a computer for extended periods of time without at least
getting up and stretching is not a good idea regardless of the monitor.
Rapidly changing patterns can lead to epileptic seizures in
susceptible individuals. There can be damage to legs (clot formation)
caused by impaired blood flow similar to that reported in long airplane
flights where you are confined to your seat. There can be damage to the
spine if the chair used does not give proper back support.

Does any of the above matter to you or your child? Only you can
determine how your computer is used, the susceptibility of the user to
one of these problems, and whether the true difference (flicker) merits
the expense of a new monitor or just a change in the screen refresh rate.

 

[JS]

In addition to what Robert said I would suggest increasing to at least a 17
inch size as this will increase the size of the text and therefore will be
easier to read. My preference is a CRT Monitor with high refresh rate for
text (I am using a 19 inch CRT high quality monitor as I write this) and for
Photo editing I use a Flat Panel 19 inch display. You did not mention the
primary use of the PC for you or your children. Again go to a local store
and have a look at both type of displays, especially with text and see what
is easy on your eyes.

JS

 

[Melissa]

<snipped>

Thanks for your insighted reply, Robert.

If anything CRTs can be worse for the eyes. However, you need to
understand some facts about the human eye/brain connection to put this
into context.

I though already something like that.
Especially considering that we have TL-lights everywhere in the house
(energy saving) which cause extra flickering.

Staring at any small screen -TV or computer- for extended periods of time
is "hard" on the eyes. That is because the eyes do not move in the head
and the muscles get tired from holding the eyes in a fixed position. No
permanent damage but headaches could result.

This is a problem and a dilemna for me.

Refusing my child access to the computer after "x" hours of use is not so
easy.
If she would not be looking at the computer, she would be watching one or
another TV-program (shoot, kill, rape, war, etc...)

For the moment, she uses the computer only to learn.
No games.
And only a few hours after homework (2 hrs at the most).

CRTs flicker at the vertical sync rate. If this rate is low 60-70 Hz, the
brain will detect the flicker which causes fatigue and possibly headaches.
Detection of flicker decreases at higher vertical sync and good monitors
can work at 85Hz or higher rates. This reduces or eliminates the problem.
LCD monitors do not have this problem even at 60Hz vertical because they
do not flicker.

So, LCD screen is a better option.

Use of a computer for extended periods of time without at least getting
up and stretching is not a good idea regardless of the monitor.
Rapidly changing patterns can lead to epileptic seizures in susceptible
individuals. There can be damage to legs (clot formation) caused by
impaired blood flow similar to that reported in long airplane flights
where you are confined to your seat. There can be damage to the spine if
the chair used does not give proper back support.

Sheeeeeeeeeeexz,

I wasn't aware of all these causes of using a computer.

I knew the law in my country (Belgium) which is very severe for work at a
computer.
At my work as a CAD drawer, I was required to leave the computer every 50
minutes and walk for 10 minutes.
My seat was "energomical" designed to reduce the symptomes of working at a
computer maximal.
But I never saw such a report as yours.
I guess I will have to apply the Belgian Law to the computer use by my
daughter (4 1/2 years).

Does any of the above matter to you or your child? Only you can determine
how your computer is used, the susceptibility of the user to one of these
problems, and whether the true difference (flicker) merits the expense of
a new monitor or just a change in the screen refresh rate.

You have surely lead my decision in the right way and first thing tomorrow
will be to get lost of the old CRT monitor and look for a bigger (19 inch)
LCD screen.

The 19 inch LG, ACER and TCL screens are the better ones as compared in a
local magazine.
These monitors are sold at the local IT-Store for about $250.

Besides the choice of the monitor, I will need to put restrictions on the
computer use and the TV use.
Raughly the same as the Belgian Law on computer use at work.

Reading your response, I wonder how much damadge the use of a computer is
doing to the people at the local Internet stores. I live in Thailand, and
there are many "Internet Games" stores where children from 7 years up are
playing games online like "Counter Strike" with the sound at full power for
many hours without a rest. .

Thanks again for your reply, Robert.

Regards,

Melissa

 

[Eric]

When PCs first came out, monitors were 14 inch. Now the standard is at
least 17, often 19. Bigger display means easier to read and easier on the
eyes. You should not be straining to see what is on the screen.

Children should not have a PC in their room. It should be in a more public
place and their use of it should be monitored. Regardless of the type of
screen, children should not have to look at a computer for an extended
period of time. If your children need glasses and you let them look at the
computer or TV screen as much as they want, blame yourself. If they get
molested by some guy they met on the internet, blame yourself. Be a parent.
Don't let a PC be a babysitter.

 

[Fidelis K]

Bigger display means easier to read and easier on the eyes.

This is true if and only if the same screen resolution is used. Most people
use LCDs nowadays and bigger LCDs have a higher native resolution, thus
making text smaller. For instance, my 23" SONY has a native resolution of
1920x1200 whereas my 19" NEC's resolution is 1280x1024. Text is easier to
read on the NEC. A 12 point font on the NEC is roughly as big as a 14 point
font on the SONY.