crt and lcd monitors factory

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Since the beginning of machine automation in manufacturing, HMI monitors (Human Machine Interface), workstations, and Industrial Computers have been using CRT technology to let workers interact with machines to carry out manufacturing processes.

The CRT, also known as the Cathode Ray Tube, started to lose favor once the LCD (or liquid crystal display) was introduced in 1998. One of the first standalone monitors was the EIZO Flexscan monitor. From this time forward, LCD technology has pushed its way past CRTs into many aspects of machine automated manufacturing.

3.Cost Effectiveness.CRT repair can be costly. However, LCD retrofit is possible and can cost less in the long run. With a retrofit, you won’t have to change your entire system, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars. You can still keep your legacy machinery intact.

4.Clarity. Clarity of data on-screen leads to less squinting. There’s also no annoying burn-in as the unit gets some use. LCD also produces less eye fatigue for the user due to its lower intensity and constant screen display of pixels.

6.Less heat. A LCD also produces less heat during operation. This is better for the other sensitive electronics like drives, PLC"s and power supplies, which shares a cabinet with on a machine.

8.Obsolete. CRT replacement is nearly impossible due to obsolescence; they can rarely be found in stock and can only be repaired by certain companies.

In conclusion, converting CRT tubes to LCD is the easiest and most cost-effective solution to extending the life of your monitor or HMI unit. These conversions can be done by a highly-skilled Repair Zone electronic technician in our Tech Center located in Bay City, Michigan. For more information, contact us.

Thomas Electronics has acquired the CRT magnetic coil assets of Syntronic Instruments and Thomson Genlis S.A. We now offer a full range of electromagnetic design & manufacturing services, from initial design & prototyping to manufacturing & comprehensive testing. We can customize our process & our products at every step to ensure full compatibility with your unique specifications.

We are committed to maintaining a high level of quality & look forward to providing all products & services traditionally offered by Syntronic Instruments and Thomson Genlis S.A., including convergence correction magnets & coils, electromagnetic & permanent magnet astigmators, focus coils, & more.

Responsible for performing installations and repairs (motors, starters, fuses, electrical power to machine etc.) for industrial equipment and machines in order to support the achievement of Nelson-Miller’s business goals and objectives:

• Perform highly diversified duties to install and maintain electrical apparatus on production machines and any other facility equipment (Screen Print, Punch Press, Steel Rule Die, Automated Machines, Turret, Laser Cutting Machines, etc.).

• Provide electrical emergency/unscheduled diagnostics, repairs of production equipment during production and performs scheduled electrical maintenance repairs of production equipment during machine service.

A CRT (cathode-ray tube) monitor is an analog display device that creates a visible image on the screen by directing three electron beams over millions of phosphor dots to make them light up. In a color monitor, the screen is composed of numerous stripes of alternating red, green, and blue phosphor dots, which get activated by the electrons and combine to make countless different hues.

The electron beam repetitively scans the entire front of the tube to “paint” and refresh the image nearly 100 times every second. Computer monitors and televisions that use CRT technology have large, heavy physical casings. The long length between the front screen and the back of the case is necessary to accommodate the length of the vacuum tube.

Cathode-ray tubes were commonly used in televisions and computer monitors throughout the mid-to-late 1900s. Throughout that time, manufacturers continually improved performance and resolution. Most computer monitors in the 1970s only displayed green text on a black screen. By 1990, IBM’s Extended Graphics Array (XGA) display boasted 16.8 million colors in 800 x 600 pixel resolution.

Some gamers believe the faster refresh rate and minimal motion blur of CRT monitors creates a better gaming experience, especially for older titles with lower-resolution graphics.

In the early 2000s, advances in technology made flat-panel displays more accessible. These newer display types (LCD, plasma, and OLED) don’t require a large casing and are more energy efficient. Manufacturing costs are lower than for CRT monitors, and flat-panel displays can be made in larger sizes than CRTs. These factors make flat-panel displays far more popular among consumers.

Depending on how old you are, you may remember your parents chiding you for sitting too close to the TV and claiming that it would damage your eyes. However, these fears seem to be largely unsubstantiated. There are some legitimate health and safety concerns with CRT monitors, but none of them link sitting too close to the screen with negative effects on eyesight.

There is a significant amount of stored electrical charge in a CRT, even one that’s powered off. Breaking a CRT monitor or attempting to dismantle it without proper tools and training can lead to a severe electrical shock.

If you have a CRT monitor you no longer want, it’s not safe to toss it in your trash can. You should contact your local authorities for information on safe disposal methods and/or recycling options.

While flat-panel LCD and OLED monitors and televisions are more common nowadays than CRTs, the older technology is still superior in some ways. A CRT monitor can display/refresh an image faster than an LCD screen. This means the monitor can respond faster to input and avoid motion-blur issues that are common in LCD screens. The color range and contrast is often better on a CRT, and this type of monitor supports deeper black tones. For some computer gamers, these advantages are enough to warrant scouring the internet for old CRT monitors.

If you want to check out the benefits of a CRT monitor for yourself, prepare for a bit of work. Because CRTs aren’t manufactured anymore, you won’t be able to grab one at your local big box store. You’ll probably be able to find a decent selection on eBay or through Craigslist or your local thrift store. CRT monitors can be pricey, especially if you have to pay for shipping, and it’s important to make sure you choose a model that’s compatible with your computer or gaming console.

When LCDs took over the market in the early 2000s, most companies drastically reduced their CRT manufacturing to account for the decreased demand. Sony stopped making CRT monitors in 2005, and 2008 was the last year Samsung introduced new CRT models. Despite pleas from a small number of passionate gamers who prefer CRT screens over LCDs, the lack of adequate market demand will likely prevent any major company from restarting production any time soon.

CRT, which stands for Cathode-Ray Tube, is an antiquated type of display technology that was commonly used in televisions and computer monitors in the 1900s. While CRT displays are no longer manufactured, they maintain some advantages over modern LCD, OLED, and plasma displays, and are sometimes prized by gamers.

With the advent of LCD screens in the early 2000s, CRT displays became less popular. LCDs are more compact, more energy-efficient, and cost less to make. They can also be made with larger screen sizes than CRT monitors. They’re vastly lighter; a 21-inch CRT display can weigh between 50 and 60 pounds, and some weigh nearly 100 pounds. One of the rarest and most sought-after CRT monitors, the Sony GDM-FW900, had a screen size of 24” and a widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9 and weighed about that much.

However, modern displays are not totally superior to CRT screens. CRT displays can refresh the display at a faster rate than LCDs, making motion on the screen appear smoother with less motion blur. CRTs also have higher contrast ratios and tend to have superior color ranges.

While CRT displays are no longer made, they are sometimes sought after by gamers for their superior refresh rates and contrast ratios. They are also able to avoid the problem of input lag, which is when commands on a controller take longer to register.

LCD gaming displays are catching up to CRTs, however, and can be obtained with comparable refresh rates to CRTs. Still, motion blur remains an issue even on the highest-end gaming monitors.

Finally, retro games were simply designed with CRT in mind, meaning older video games don’t have an authentic look on modern display technologies. Retro gamers commonly want their experience to be as close to the original as possible, and using a modern LCD monitor just doesn’t have the same effect.

CRTs do not support modern display interfaces such as HDMI or DisplayPort. Instead, they typically use VGA. Unlike CRT, the VGA interface is still manufactured today. However, modern graphics cards and motherboards typically do not have a VGA port. Thankfully, you can remedy this with an adapter. Not all adapters are equal, though, so make sure the adapter you use supports the resolution and refresh rate you plan to use.

To understand dot pitch, you need to understand a little about how a CRT screen creates an image. CRT monitors shoot electrons toward the phosphors at the front of the machine, which is then filtered by either a shadow mask or an aperture grill. The sharpness of the image is defined by how large the gaps in the shadow mask or aperture grill are. The shorter the distance, the sharper the image. This is referred to as dot pitch, and it is measured in millimeters.

If you want the sharpest possible display on a CRT monitor, you’ll want one with a dot pitch below .28 millimeters. It’s very rare for a dot pitch to fall below .21 millimeters, but the lower, the better.

If you want to display an image with a high resolution (say, above 1600 x 1200) on a CRT monitor, the dot pitch becomes especially relevant. If the dot pitch is too large, an image will look blurry at higher resolutions. However, if you only intend to use lower resolutions, dot pitch has little impact on the sharpness of the screen. Regardless of the resolution you use, it is best not to go above .28 millimeters to ensure adequate clarity.

Each of these technologies works differently to filter electrons at the front of the screen. A shadow mask uses a metal sheet with evenly spaced holes, and an aperture grill uses a wire array. Both will create a comprehensive color image to generate the final product you see on the screen.

Generally, an aperture grill will display a better image than a shadow mask, creating a brighter and more colorful image because it handles light better. However, this is not always the case, and some CRTs with shadow masks have superior image quality than those with aperture grills.

Use our 10.4” LCD Replacement Display to substitute the 12” CRT monitor used in your Mazak CNC Mazatrol, Mitsubishi Meldas or Yamazaki machine tools. This rugged industrial 10.4” LCD Display mounts right onto the CRT mounting studs of the existing 12” CRT monitorchassis and was designed to operate with legacy systems built by Philips, Bosch, Cybelec, Delem, GE, Heidenhain, Sinumerik, JUNG, E machine, Marposs, Mitsubishi, Okuma, Mazak, and Siemens. The QES1510 Series 10.4” LCD displays replace most 12” CRT monitor models and extend the life of CRT-based HMI interfaces.

Designed to operate from 15.75KHz through 100KHz, these rugged 10.4” LCD displays can be configured to operate with CGA, EGA, MDA video formats and many other legacy timings used in systems such as JUNG, E machine, Marposs, Mitsubishi, Okuma, Mazak, and Siemens Control Systems.

Optional TTL CGA, EGA, MDA video capability, contrast ratios of 500:1 and brightness levels of 250 cd/m2, and standard features such multi-language on-screen display, DDC1/2B Plug and Play, and wide viewing angle capability makes this versatile 10.4” LCD display an excellent choice for many legacy industrial display needs.

Almost all of us have watched television at some point in our lives. And, most of us have a general understanding of how television works – images and videos are displayed on a screen by shooting electrons at it, which makes the pixels light up and create the image. However, there is a lot more to the process than just that. In order to create an image, television screens need to be able to control the number of pixels that are lit up and the intensity of the light. There are two main ways that this is done – using cathode ray tube (CRT) screens or liquid crystal display (LCD) screens.

CRT is an analog type display that was popular two decades ago, while LCD is a digital type display and is considered as the successor of CRT monitors. But LCDs are not superior in every aspect with CRT monitors.

A decade ago, CRT, or Cathode Ray Tube, was a commonly used analog display technology. It works by projecting electrons onto a phosphor screen. When an electron beam hits the screen, the phosphor lights up, creating a colorful image.

CRT technology was used in a variety of devices, from televisions to computer monitors. It was also used in early video game consoles, like the Atari 2600. While CRT technology is no longer used in today’s devices, it was an important stepping stone in the development of modern display technology.

A CRT display has a vacuumed tube (a tube with no air in it). Plus, it also has an electrode in the back of the vacuum tube that releases electrons. Because it emits positively charged particles, it is referred to as the cathode gun (Because electrons are negatively charged, we know that they’re negatively charged particles). And the electron gun is made up of an array of components which include the heater filament (heater) and the cathode.

Screens are coated in phosphor that glows according to the strength of the beam. When the cathode gun is activated and electrons are fired into the screen, the beam of electrons goes towards various areas of the screen. Then, line by line, the deflection takes place by covering the whole screen.

The brightness of the beam is responsible for the brightness of the image. If your image is much brighter, the electron gun fires a strong electron beam. And if your image is a dark one, the electron gun fires a weak electron beam.

There are both black and white CRT displays and Color CRT displays. Moreover, black and white CRT displays use a phosphor to emit light, while color CRT displays use three phosphors to emit red, green, and blue light. The human eye perceives these three colors when the brain combines the light from the three phosphors.

LCD, Liquid Crystal Display is a digital display technology made of liquid crystals that function by blocking the light. If you have an LCD screen, then you may have noticed that the image on the screen is made up of tiny dots of color. These dots are called pixels, and each pixel is made up of three smaller dots of color. One dot is red, one dot is green, and one dot is blue. Together, these three colors make up the colors that you see on the screen.

An LCD display is composed of two pieces made of polarized glasses that have the liquid crystal substance between the two. And there is a backlight which is important because, without the backlight, we can’t see the image.

The two main types of display technologies used in monitors today are CRT and LCD. CRT uses analog technology while LCD uses digital technology to display the image. Both have their pros and cons, but LCD is the more popular technology today.

When we think of older technology, we often think of big, bulky CRT monitors with a 4:3 display ratio. So, this was the most popular ratio two decades ago, and because of that, most CRT displays were made with a 4:3 aspect ratio. However, it’s not only CRT monitors that had this ratio. Back in the day, even LCD monitors came in a 4:3 ratio. Now, most LCD displays come in a 16:9 ratio, which is known as widescreen displays.

Why did the 4:3 display ratio become so popular? Well, back in the day, most computer users were using their computers for work-related tasks. Word processing, spreadsheet work, and other business applications were the norm. Therefore, the 4:3 ratio was well-suited for these types of applications.

However, as time went on and computer usage became more diversified, the need for a wider display became more apparent. This is especially true for media-related tasks such as watching movies and playing video games. The 16:9 widescreen ratio is much better suited for these types of activities.

The costs of manufacturing CRT and LCD displays used to be quite similar. However, the cost of manufacturing LCD displays has fallen significantly in recent years, making them more affordable than ever before. Thanks to advancements in technology, LCD panels can now be produced more cheaply than CRTs, making them the preferred choice for many consumers.

CRT monitors are typically much larger and heavier than their LCD counterparts. This is due to the fact that CRT monitors use a cathode ray tube to produce the image on the screen. This tube takes up a lot of space, which results in a larger overall footprint for the monitor. Additionally, the heavy glass casing of a CRT monitor can add a lot of weight.

LCDs, on the other hand, are much thinner and lighter, and even there are many display size selections. Moreover, LCD display-to-body ratio is increasing every year.

When it comes to power consumption, CRT displays consume more power compared to LCD monitors. In CRT monitors, there has to be a heated filament so electrons can flow off of the cathode. In order to maintain the heated filament, the CRT monitor requires a high voltage power supply. In addition, the CRT monitor has a yoke coil that needs the power to move the electron beam back and forth on the screen. When the CRT is turned on, it uses a small amount of power to keep the cathode warm.

One of the benefits of LCD monitors is that they are more energy efficient than CRT monitors. LCD monitors do not have a heated filament or yoke coil, so they do not require a high voltage power supply.

LCD displays offer many advantages over CRTs, including lower power consumption, thinner form factors, and sharper images. Thanks to their lower manufacturing cost, LCDs are now the preferred choice for many manufacturers.

Higher volumes will bring the prices of LCD"s down. Now they"re too close to the bleeding edge. Innovation should also help.
Here"s the typical technology curve price/time curve:

+ +
          + bleeding edge
            + 
             +
              + supply catching up with demand
               + 
                 +
                   + commonplace
                        + 
                                +      +
                                                       + obsolescence

IMHO, manufacturers should be required to pay a disposal fee for their monitors (as in Europe). That"s a clincher in LCD cost structure. In another 18 months we"ll all be seriously considering a new LCD monitor without the shortcomings of today"s.

Also, setup and key adjustments are more complicated with LCDs—and much more necessary—than they are with CRTs. To be sure, all displays can benefit from proper tuning and adjustment. But LCDs are more likely to experience clarity or viewability issues if they"re not tuned and tweaked to optimum conditions.

In this Recipe, we"ll tackle the system-building differences between LCDs and CRTs. We"ll also describe the kinds of usage situations best suited to one kind of display over the other. Finally, we"ll describe some important tools you can use to make sure your customers get the most from their LCD choices.

We"ll start with the pros and cons of CRT displays, and then do likewise for LCDs. After that, we"ll make some comparisons and explain which type of display is best-suited for specific, identifiable usage scenarios.

Our comparison of the pros, cons, and differences between CRT and LCD displays hinges on the differences between analog and digital technologies. CRTs are analog; therefore, they support continuous values, smooth scaling, and arbitrarily high resolutions (within reason or the limits of technology). LCDs are digital and therefore work like an array of individual, discrete pixels with individual, discrete color and gray-scale values, and a fixed, native resolution. In mathematical terms, it"s the difference between a continuous integral versus a stair-step function. Here"s how they line up:

Color/gray-scale accuracy: Best color and gray scale accuracy; used as reference standard for professional calibration. Perfectly smooth gray-scale with infinite number of intensity levels.

Motion artifacts: The faster images move on a display, the more past display values can affect current display contents; these leftovers are called motion artifacts. CRTs offer fast response times with no motion artifacts. For this reason, CRTs are the best choice for fast-moving or ever-changing images.

Resolution: CRTs operate at any resolution, geometry, and aspect ratio with no need to rescale images shown. CRTs also run at the highest resolutions graphics cards support.

Emissions: CRTs emit electrical, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields, where magnetic fields are often believed to pose health hazards (although no available scientific evidence supports this belief).

Geometric distortion: CRTs are subject to geometric distortion and generally include adjustments to counter same. But they may also be affected by magnetic fields from other devices.

Interference: CRTs produce visual distortions known as Moire patterns. While many monitors offer Moire reduction, this doesn"t entirely eliminate this problem.

Sharpness: CRTs use electron beams to activate pixels on their screens. This results in softer images than an LCD operating at its native resolution. (But a CRT is usually sharper than an LCD not operating at its native resolutions.)

Size, weight, and power consumption: CRTs are big and bulky. They consume more power—and give off more heat—than most other display technologies.

Size, weight, and power consumption:LCDs are thin-profile devices that are generally lighter than CRTs. LCDs also consume less electricity—and give off less heat—than CRTs.

Aspect ratio: Any LCD has a fixed resolution and aspect ratio. For panels with a resolution of 1280 x 1024 (common for 17- and 19-inch models), the aspect ratio is 5:4 or 1.25, smaller than the 4:3 or 1.33 ratio common for other displays. This may require letterboxing to a 1280 x 960 resolution to get a standard 4:3 ratio.

Bad pixels and screen uniformity: LCDs may include malfunctioning pixels that are weak, or stuck in on or off modes. They are also subject to variations in backlighting, owing to the use of light sources at the top or bottom edges of the display.

Black-level, contract, color saturation: LCDs are poor at producing deep blacks and dark grays. This results in lower contrast and reduced color saturation for low intensity colors, which makes LCDs a poor choice for dimly lit or dark environments.

Color and gray scale accuracy: Internal gamma and gray-scale on an LCD varies by location on the display surface. LCDs normally produce only a limited number—fewer than 256—of discrete intensity levels. This leads to image-accuracy issues with black level, gray-scale, and gamma, and it isn"t suitable for professional color balancing.

Interference: LCDs using analog input require painstaking adjustment of pixel tracking and phase to minimize digital noise in image display. Automatic controls seldom produce optimum outputs, and it may be impossible to eliminate all digital noise completely.

Motion artifacts: The slower an LCD"s pixel refresh rate—often called response time, though this term is more appropriate for CRTs—the more likely it is that motion artifacts will appear. For continuous or very fast motion, some artifacts are inevitable on an LCD.

Resolution: Native resolution is set by the manufacturer and cannot be altered. All other resolutions require re-scaling and leads to image degradation, especially where fine text and graphics are concerned.

White saturation: White levels on LCDs are easily overloaded, and maximum brightness occurs before gray-scale values peak. This phenomenon is best managed by careful contrast-setting adjustments.

When it comes to picking one kind of display over the other, here"s what you should advise your customers on a number of criteria, including needs, pocketbooks, and working environments:

Color or gray-scale accuracy: Users who need or want higher color or gray-scale accuracy, and more viewable deep blacks or dark grays, will be better served by CRTs. Professional color balancing demands a high-quality CRT.

Contrast: CRTs produce the brightest contrast levels available, LCDs fare somewhat more poorly, especially with black and dark colors. Contrast ratio numbers published for LCD displays cannot always be taken literally.

Environmental concerns:CRTs, especially the picture tube itself, are chock-full of heavy metals of several varieties and pose more challenges for recycling than do LCDs. Also, smaller size and weight means less waste to manage. Also, LCDs emit less heat and other forms of energy—electrical, electromagnetic and magnetic—than do CRTs.

Lighting: Users who work in bright light are bound to prefer an LCD. Users who work in lower-light conditions will increasingly prefer a CRT as ambient light decreases.

Motion and artifacts: Users who need or want to work with fast or constantly moving images are best served by CRTs. But this also limits diagonal sizes to no more than 24 inches.

Operating costs: Those concerned about energy consumption will favor LCDs, as these monitors consume at least 40 percent less electricity than CRTs with the same rated diagonal measurements. (And standby mode savings are about 40 percent.) In theory, users can also get away with less office space by using LCDs, translating into lower rent.

Purchase cost: Those with smaller budgets should consider CRTs, as they cost 50 percent or less than LCDs with the same reported diagonal measurements.

Resolution: If a user doesn"t like an LCD at its native resolution, this spells trouble. Native resolution for an LCD is equivalent to maximum resolution on a CRT; it represents the upper limit of picture quality for a given model. So if a user needs a monitor to run at multiple resolutions, especially if they also need fine text and graphics for all resolutions, this virtually mandates a CRT.

With more customers switching to LCDs, system builders should understand how to set up these monitors and configure them properly once they"re in place. A system builder should also know how to get the best-looking text on the screen. To help, we"ll now describe some great tools for system builders working with LCD displays.

ClearType is a Microsoft technology specifically designed to improve text readability on LCD screens, including laptop screens, mobile device displays, and flat-panel monitors. ClearType technology can access individual color elements in each pixel on an LCD display. Prior to its introduction, the level of detail operated at the pixel level. But with ClearType running on an LCD monitor, features of text as small as a fraction of a pixel in width can be displayed, according to Microsoft. This leads to a visible improvement in the sharpness of tiny text details. It not only improves readability, but also is easier on the eyes, especially over extended periods of time.

ClearType is included with Windows XP. But to tweak text settings on individual LCD displays, you must download a Windows PowerToy called ClearType Tuner.

Once downloaded and installed, ClearType Tuner appears as a control panel widget named ClearType Tuning. Its users work with a wizard that asks them to select among multiple on-screen displays that look the best, in much the same way an optometrist works with patients to help determine a new prescription for corrective lenses.

Using the ClearType Tuning widget is fast and easy, and a bit of practice makes working with it a snap. You"ll also see noticeable improvements to text on LCD screens as a consequence of its use, as toggling the check box for "Turn on ClearType" in the widget itself will show.

DisplayMate Technologies is a small and highly-regarded company that offers a family of powerful tools of great interest to system builders and consultants. The company offers a $89 (download only) or $99 (CD and manual shipped to buyer) product called DisplayMate for Windows Video Edition, which we highly recommend. It not only supports both CRT and LCD displays, but also other display types, including liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS), digital light processing (DLP), TV, HDTV, Plasma, and multi-media displays. Though this product aims primarily at end-users and consumers, system builders and consultants on a tight budget can get plenty of value from this product.

System builders who work with lots of displays and really want to get the most out of them will probably prefer the higher end DisplayMate Multimedia Edition, which sells for $495. It not only handles the same kinds of displays as the aforementioned Windows Video Edition, but also includes many more test patterns and command scripts to perform customized display testing and tuning.

This scaffolding around the consumer-level DisplayMate for Windows program provides users with a set of detailed descriptive text screens that precede each of the monitor test sequences under two general headings: Set-Up Program and Tune-Up Program.

The Set-Up program helps familiarize users with graphics and display capabilities on the systems under test, and to establish initial configuration. The Tune-Up Program provides quick checks on specific display capabilities, with opportunities to tweak and tune them for optimal display output.

Introduction: A lead-in screen for the program that briefly describes its capabilities and (more important) provides the option to toggle the Novice Option on or off. Beginners will appreciate its information and instructions, while experienced users can ignore this.

Set-Up Display: A stepwise procedure that leads users through all available user controls on their display and graphics card, each of which is associated with a test pattern and an explanation of how to use its appearance on screen to achieve settings that are visually optimal. First, an initial explanation appears on screen. Then, users click through a sequence of 22 test-pattern screens that include checks on brightness and contrast, intensity range, black-level, and gray scale checks, numerous standard test patterns and color gauges, and numerous geometry checks. The whole sequence takes at least 30 minutes to traverse the first few times through, especially if you read all the preliminary text that precedes each individual test (and if our experience is any guide, you definitely should).

Video Obstacle Course: A set of demanding and difficult images designed to stress test displays and show settings in need of adjustment or improvement. The software also provides information about what users will see during these 24 tests, and how to remedy any potential problems or issues they may expose. About a third of the tests repeat from the previous Set-Up Display sequence, but others deal with important checks related to Moire patterns, color registration, screen and local display regulation, and more. Expect to spend at least 30 minutes working through this series of test patterns and checks.

Master Test Pattern: As the name suggests, this one has a little bit of everything: Geometry, focus and resolution checks, gray-scale and color levels and saturation, and more. You"ll learn to use this to take a quick look at a display and see if it needs some (or more) work.

Video System Information: Shows what information from your display and graphics card DisplayMate can read, including native resolution, screen colors, gray levels, screen and pixel aspect ratios, pixel shape (square or not), color depth, palette, and planes, as well as system font and display driver information. Useful to make sure everything is as it should be.

The DisplayMate Tune-Up Program includes the following elements, whose organization indicates that this tool takes a functional view of the various activities involved in display tuning and tweaking:

Sharpness and Resolution: Deals with sharpness, focus, and resolution with numerous horizontal and vertical bars, as well as the battery of Moire pattern tests (18 in all).

Screen Pixel Resolution: Shows a series of 15 visually interesting test patterns to check screen resolution, fineness of detail, and accuracy in a series of complex line and pattern traces. This is some of the coolest looking stuff in the program.

Miscellaneous Effects: A series of 14 tests and checks that let you fool around with colors and gray scales on the display. Be sure to toggle through color selections where you can; click the right mouse button to toggle through such options where available.

In our test lab, we have a number of LCD screens ranging in size from 17 inches (diagonal) to 30 inches. We found the DisplayMate program"s ability to help us properly set brightness, contrast, and pixel timing to be of greatest use. Those are the aspects of our LCDs that suffer the most when left at factory-default settings. System builders and consultants will find these tools useful in making sure that their customers and users have the best possible experiences when they upgrade or switch to LCD displays.

ED TITTEL is a freelance writer and trainer in Austin, TX, who specializes in Windows topics and tools, especially networking and security related matters. JUSTIN KORELC is a long-time Linux hacker and Windows maven who concentrates on hardware and software security topics. Ed and Justin are also co-authors of Build the Ultimate Home Theater PC (John Wiley, 2005).

Since the production of cathode ray tubes has essentially halted due to the cost and environmental concerns, CRT-based monitors are considered an outdated technology. All laptops and most desktop computer systems sold today come with LCD monitors. However, there are a few reasons why you might still prefer CRT over LCD displays.

While CRT monitors provide better color clarity and depth, the fact that manufacturers rarely make them anymore makes CRTs an unwise choice. LCD monitors are the current standard with several options. LCD monitors are smaller in size and easier to handle. Plus, you can buy LCD monitors in a variety of sizes, so customizing your desktop without all the clutter is easy.

The primary advantage that CRT monitors hold over LCDs is color rendering. The contrast ratios and depths of colors displayed on CRT monitors are better than what an LCD can render. For this reason, some graphic designers use expensive and large CRT monitors for their work. On the downside, the color quality degrades over time as the phosphors in the tube break down.

Another advantage that CRT monitors hold over LCD screens is the ability to easily scale to various resolutions. By adjusting the electron beam in the tube, the screen can be adjusted downward to lower resolutions while keeping the picture clarity intact. This capability is known as multisync.

The biggest disadvantage of CRT monitors is the size and weight of the tubes. An equivalently sized LCD monitor can be 80% smaller in total mass. The larger the screen, the bigger the size difference. CRT monitors also consume more energy and generate more heat than LCD monitors.

For the most vibrant and rich colors, CRTs are hard to beat if you have the desk space and don"t mind the excessive weight. However, with CRTs becoming a thing of the past, you may have to revisit the LCD monitor.

The biggest advantage of LCD monitors is the size and weight. LCD screens also tend to produce less eye fatigue. The constant light barrage and scan lines of a CRT tube can cause strain on heavy computer users. The lower intensity of the LCD monitors coupled with the constant screen display of pixels being on or off is easier on the eyes. That said, some people have issues with the fluorescent backlights used in some LCD displays.

The most notable disadvantage to LCD screens is the fixed resolution. An LCD screen can only display the number of pixels in its matrix. Therefore, 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 blends multiple pixels together to simulate a single smaller pixel, which often leads to a blurry or fuzzy picture.

For those who are on a computer for hours, an LCD can be an enemy. With the tendency to cause eye fatigue, computer users must be aware of how long they stare at an LCD monitor. While LCD technology is continually improving, using techniques to limit the amount of time you look at a screen alleviates some of that fatigue.

Significant improvements have been made to LCD monitors over the years. Still, CRT monitors provide greater color clarity, faster response times, and wider flexibility for video playback in various resolutions. Nonetheless, LCDs will remain the standard since these monitors are easier to manufacture and transport. Most users find LCD displays to be perfectly suitable, so CRT monitors are only necessary for those interested in digital art and graphic design.

Are LED monitors better than their LCD predecessors? How are the two technologies differ in terms of functionality and performance? All these questions will be answered by the LED vs. LCD comparison presented in here.

The age of CRT (cathode ray tube) displays is over and LCD displays are already being replaced with LED screens. Technology is evolving at an exponential pace, pushing existing technologies into obsolescence. Just when we thought LCD screens will be the default choice for some time to come, they were supplanted by LED monitors, with their superior power efficiency and rich picture quality.

Considering that we spend a major amount of our lifetime in front of screens these days and eyes are not a replaceable commodity, a discerning consumer must opt for technology that is soft on the eyes, while providing a rich visual experience.

There seems to be a lot of confusion about the differences between LED (Light Emitting Diode) and LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitors that need clarification. Here"s a succinct analysis of the similarities and differences between the two models.

LED and LCD monitors are based on the same basic technology for image display but differ in the kind of backlighting used. While LCD monitors use CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamps) for backlighting, the latter use light-emitting diodes. This is the prime difference between the two display technologies. So LED monitors are in actuality, a type of LCD monitors or an improvement over them.

Unlike CRT monitors that generate their own light through cathode ray incidence on fluorescent materials, LCD displays have to rely on external lighting, as their display is created through manipulation of light, passing through polarized liquid crystals. Backlighting affects picture quality substantially and light shed by LEDs offers superior picture quality compared to LCDs.

This is because LEDs offer much more gradation in intensity and a larger light wavelength spectrum, providing a truer color quality. These types of monitors offer a better dynamic contrast ratio as well. So if you compare LED and LCD monitors from a gaming perspective and for use in intensive graphic applications, LED monitors are surely better choices. They provide vivid and more lifelike colors, with better gradation.

LED monitors cure one of the basic problems with LCD TVs, which is the inability to display true black colors. They can produce true black hues, by switching off LEDs entirely, increasing the blackness quotient of the screen, and providing better contrast in the process.

LED monitors are a very recently introduced technology and they are preferred over LCD monitors because of the amazingly rich picture quality and viewing comfort. One more advantage that LED monitors to have over LCD ones is the power consumption factor. LED monitors require a lot less power to operate than cold cathode fluorescent lamps. This property can be attributed to the inherently low energy required by an LED to function. Their power consumption is as much as 40% lesser than conventional LCD monitors.

LED monitors are also a lot softer on the eyes than LCD monitors, making them popular choices for people who work for long hours on their desktop computers. They are also a lot more eco-friendly because mercury is not used in their production. LEDs last longer than cold cathode fluorescent lamps, with little reduction in their power output over time, which makes these monitors long-lasting.

To conclude this LCD vs. LED monitor comparison, let us compare the price ranges. One major factor that has been holding back LED technology from reaching the masses is the high price factor. The manufacturing of these devices is a bit costlier currently, compared to LCD displays which have raised their overall price. However, the cost gap is slowly lowering with time, as the demand for superior LED back-lit displays is on the rise all over the world. Even laptop computers and now smartphones come equipped with LED displays. While some of the best LCD monitors are available for a price of around $100, the best LED monitors fall in the $150 to $200+ range.

12" Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) were once the most popular size of colour CRT on the market and were used in a variety of Industrial and Military applications. Their non-availability now poses serious problems for some sectors where equipment (e.g. machine tools) must be kept in service for several more years.KME has used its TFT LCD expertise to design a Universal Replacement 12.1" TFT Chassis monitor to fit in place of the existing CRT chassis. Flexibility is the keynote, not only in terms of the simplified mechanical design but also in the ability of the TFT monitor to handle Low Resolution (Slow Scan) Legacy signals such as CGA, Hercules & EGA. The simple metal chassis is designed to fit comfortably within the existing 12" CRT space envelope. The base plate is drilled with holes and slots to pick up the original CRT chassis fixing positions. The TFT can be fixed to a tilt position between 0 & 30 degrees. As an eco-friendly design input the whole assembly packs flat after test and burn-in at KME, to save packing volume and shipping costs. It is easily reassembled at its final destination.This 12.1" “UN Series” monitor is the first in a family of LCD-for-CRT Replacement Chassis Monitors that KME will export worldwide. KME was formed 25 years ago to make CRT monitors. Larger sizes of CRT are stillin production but markets are changing rapidly to high resolution Flat-panel LCD monitors. KME has a wide range of modern displays to meet this demand. However high resolution TFT monitors are not able to display Legacy signals that were presented to old CRT monitors designed specifically for them. KME has invested heavily in R&D to develop a range of LCD monitors that are specifically designed to interface with any Legacy signal and give full-screen, crisp, bright displays, whatever the resolution. KME LCD monitors are manufactured at their facility at Rochester, Kent. Full details of all products may be found on the company Web site at www.kme.co.uk.