CRT vs LCD Monitors

There are 2 types of monitors available today, CRT and LCD. Both use different technology to display your image. CRT (cathode ray tube) are the monitors that are larger and bulkier. They also have a less crisp and lower quality image. LCD's (liquid crystal display) boast a very clean and crisp image, use less power than a CRT monitor but is the more expensive alternative.

LCD Monitor

CRT Monitor

Comparison of CRT vs LCD

Physical Size
It is obvious that a CRT uses up a lot more desk space than a compact LCD does. CRT technology requires a much larger, bulkier housing to support it. They are also much heavier, but this is not normally a deciding factor.

Image Quality
In general an LCD monitor can produce a much crisper and clearer image than it's CRT counterpart. Although newer models of CRT monitors offer very good image quality also. The resolution of a CRT monitor is more flexible than an LCD which is usually restricted to it's native resolution (it's recommended resolution which can be changed but usually results in a loss of quality). We will not go into depth on how each technology works, but below is a link to each that explains the process behind each monitor.

How CRT Monitors Work

How LCD Monitors Work

Price
Price has usually been the deciding factor in previous years, but in more recent times LCD prices have dropped a lot. LCD's are still more expensive than a CRT monitor, but it will last longer and uses much less power. Therefore in the longrun there is little price difference seperating these two monitors.

Table of Comparison

Category	CRT	LCD
Image Quality
Flexible Resolution
Physical Size
Lifetime
Power Usage
Price

Back to Dual Display Tutorials

Comments

CRT- not bad!	By Unknown on Nov 25 2006 at 11:58 AM
I got a vrey cheap dual-screen display using 2 DELL monitors. If you do not look too much for design , i can say that good quality CRT can be very performant with eye-friendly qualities.It is good for starter as it will cost you about 5 times less than the LCD sys.
CRT Colour	By Unknown on Jun 20 2007 at 1:19 AM
The point of CRT lines like Mitsubishi Diamond Pro and Sony Trinitron Ultraflat is that they are used by CAD designers for greater control over colour balance and generally richer colours. Cheap LCD monitors have poor contrast between black and white and so dark scenes in DVDs and games are sometimes unfathomable. Often a CRT that you can find for £40-£60 on eBay, e.g. a true flat Mitsubishi, Sony or Iyama will have superior colour representation and contrast between light and dark than a £100-£200 LCD monitor.
CRT's win in image quality.	By Unknown on Sep 27 2007 at 6:29 AM
I've yet to see an LCD who's image quality can even be mentioned in the same breath with my 7 year old 22' Diamond Pro.

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