Monitors

[jimintn]

What is the best type of monitor for graphic design work. I want to get something that is going to be good, but not the most expensive there is. Is LCD better than CRT? Thanks and please forgive me if this has been posted a couple of dozen times before, I couldn't find anything.

[Mickey]

No worries, I think the search feature is still not working.

I would say if your going to do a lot of print graphics then a mid to high range CRT would be best if your counting your pennies. I have a sony Trinitron and it works great, flat screen 22inch. There are a lot of different ones out there... if you want a LCD for graphics I wouldn't go with anything less then the Apple 23 HD flat panel. Which is what I ordered last week and will be here for me to drool on this week some time.

Just read a bunch of graphics monitor reviews... do a google search.

http://home.wi.rr.com/mygraphics/konceptcreative.jpg

[morea]

you can also look them up on www.epinions.com (http://www.epinions.com)

I refuse to have a battle of wits with someone who is unarmed.

[lkw]

I am also looking for a monitor and was going to purchase a crt monitor but the longer i delay the more i want lcds... i have also been doing a lot of research on the net and found a lot of information, but in the end i think it would be better if we get the opinions of graphic designers... probablywhat could help people like jimintn and Iis probably post any comments of monitors to avoid or 'should get' kinda thing like mickey has done for us. Thanks

[PrintDriver]

Mick, You like the Trinitron? I have 3 at work and all went 'red' on me after about 5 years. One developed the jitters and had to be trashed. Another is going soon. I really dig the ViewSonic CRT's. Good color calibration. You can get a 19' or 21' for a really good price. And the new ones have nearly flat screens. I've had a 17 incher for a good 8 years now and a second 19 incher going on 3.

I don't like the LCD's. You have to sit right in front of them for the color to be right. Check one out in person to make sure you really like it's look.

PD is a grande format digital print dude. His advice/opinions may not apply to the 4color/offset/web world of printing

[cjoe]

mmmmmm... apple 23 inch

i hate shields.

[jimintn]

Thanks for the help! I am trying to get a good monitor for color and a decent graphics card, but to them what I have looks 'pretty good'

I hate people.

[Mickey]

PD, I like my Trinitron. It has really good color right now, its only like 4yrs old right now. I also have a ViewSonic at home and they are also great monitors. But I have read the reviews for the Apple 23 HD and talked with a few people who have them. I also have talked with a certified color specialist and he says if you calabrate properly it is one of the best lcds for its price... Just don't go down to the apple 20in or smaller they don't rank as well.

http://home.wi.rr.com/mygraphics/konceptcreative.jpg

[lkw]

Is there a big difference between 19' and 21' crt monitors in your opinion? I ask this because for me i can't seem to find anymore deals on 21' crts as well everyone is selling lcds... crts 21' have to be preorder in a lot of local computer stores making it more difficult to get.

[Ulysses]

PD said...
I really dig the ViewSonic CRT's. Good color calibration. You can get a 19' or 21' for a really good price. And the new ones have nearly flat screens. I've had a 17 incher for a good 8 years now and a second 19 incher going on 3.

Amen to ViewSonic ... I have a couple of 19' Graphic Series CRTs ... lovely lovely lovely, wouldn't have anything less, though if I could justify the cost and space, I could be easily persuaded to upgrade to 21' models.


PD said...
I don't like the LCD's. You have to sit right in front of them for the color to be right. Check one out in person to make sure you really like it's look.

Glad someone else finds the focus-range of LCDs annoying ... it is more so when you work with multiple monitors. If you only use one monitor though, it could be tolerated. Aside from that, LCDs are expensive, often cheaply made, bad at colour representation (ridiculous how many LCD clients see dark and light colours to their extreme), often blurred (particularly text, though I saw a $2000+ Widescreen LCD Sony that was better than anything I'd ever seen - couldn't justify coughing up for a couple of those though), and the ghosting on moving palettes really annoys me. LCDs simply take up less space (easier and more attractive for theives to run off with though), they are easier to move around (though you should get a laptop or something if that is your priority), and they can be easily tilted for portrait usage (yes, you can do it with a CRT with special software, but most CRT monitors make important use of their venting placement - long coveage could cause problems).

Well, that is my lot. Good look deciding.

[casedsgn]

Ulysses said...

PD said...
I don't like the LCD's. You have to sit right in front of them for the color to be right. Check one out in person to make sure you really like it's look.
Glad someone else finds the focus-range of LCDs annoying ...

Depends on the LCD. Any LCD under $2000 isn't going to be up to par with a quality CRT. However, when you get into the higher level LCDs, in my opinion, they blow away even the best CRT. The viewing angle is usually 170° or better on high quality LCDs. Unless you look at it completely sideways, it isn't an issue. I was constantly dealing with color shifts and fading corners in my viewsonic CRT monitors, and no amount of deguassing helped them. LCDs don't have color shift or faded corner issues, if there are shifts...they're extremely minimal. Calibrate an LCD and you don't have to do it again for many months, unlike CRTs where you'd likely calibrate a couple times a month for completely accurate color. LCDs are said to last longer... so it could come down to buying a $1000 CRT that may last 4 years, or a $2000 LCD that may last 8 years.

Head out to a CompUSA to compare some monitors..they carry Apple as well so you could check out the 23' HD and see how sharp and clean it is when compared to any CRT.

[Mickey]

Just got my 23inch HD apple display this morning and... Yep it will do the job just fine!!!

http://home.wi.rr.com/mygraphics/konceptcreative.jpg