You might have used a large bulk size of the computer monitor in your childhood; it is the CRT monitor. Nowadays you are seeing that those types of monitors are disappearing and some slim-looking monitors are taking their place; these are the LCD and LED monitors. It has become our reality due to a fast technological advancement during the last few decades. In today’s topic, we will analyze CRT vs LCD monitors; their relative comparison, and try to figure out the differences.
Table of Contents
- What is CRT Monitor?
- What is LCD Monitor?
- Differences Between CRT and LCD Monitor
- 1. Conventionality
- 2. Operational Comparison
- 3. Components
- 4. Power Consumption
- 5. Size
- 6. Weight
- 7. Image Quality
- 8. Image Flickering
- 9. Image Persistence
- 10. Main Display Area
- 11. Viewing Angle
- 12. Refresh Rate
- 13. Response
- 14. Cost
- 15. Field of Use
- Conclusion
What is CRT Monitor?
The full form of CRT is Cathode Ray Tube. The CRT monitor is one kind of display unit. It is one of the oldest types of monitor. Although the use of CRT monitors is becoming obsolete with the invention of smarter monitors and TVs, you can still find them on the market because it is still useful in many cases.
The CRT monitor has a coating of phosphor inside the tube. An electron gun is a crucial component of a CRT monitor. The black and white CRT monitor has got only one electron gun; on the other hand, the colored one has got three different electron guns- red, green, and blue. The electrons emitted from the electron guns strike on the phosphor dots; thus the dots become ablaze which in turn represent us as pictures.
What is LCD Monitor?
The full form of LCD is Liquid Crystal Display. This kind of display unit uses transparent liquid crystals to produce pictures. The crystals are charged up electrically and we are able to watch the display. The LCD monitor is a flat one; hence also called a Flat Panel Monitor. Its refresh rate is also higher.
The LCD display is used on the calculator and digital watch. The laptop and netbook extensively use LCD monitors for the display unit. A flat-panel monitor is also available for desktop PC, but the price is quite high. It can generally be connected through DVI or HDMI cables. But what are the actual differences in terms of CRT vs LCD monitors? The next sections will clear your all questions.
Differences Between CRT and LCD Monitor
The difference between the CRT monitor and LCD monitor is mainly based upon the technology used for the make-up of the two and also the user-friendliness. Both types of monitors have their pros and cons, different usability, and function-ability. In this section, we will try to explain CRT vs LCD keeping in mind these facts.
| Feature | CRT Monitor | LCD Monitor |
|---|---|---|
| Size and weight | Bulky and heavy. | Thin and lightweight. |
| Screen Size | Limited options. | Wide range of sizes available. |
| Resolution | Typically lower resolution than LCD monitors. | Higher resolution than CRT monitors. |
| Image quality | Good color reproduction but image can be distorted. | Better color accuracy and clarity. |
| Power consumption | Consumes more power. | Consumes less power. |
| Refresh rate | Higher refresh rate (up to 160 Hz). | Lower refresh rate (up to 144 Hz). |
| Eye strain | Can cause eye strain due to flicker and glare. | Less strain on the eyes due to no flicker or glare. |
| Lifespan | Shorter lifespan (around 10,000 hours). | Longer lifespan (around 50,000 to 100,000 hours). |
| Radiation | Can emit radiation which can be harmful to health. | Does not emit any harmful radiation. |
| Price | Generally cheaper than LCD monitors. | Generally more expensive than CRT monitors. |
| Viewing angle | Limited viewing angle. | Wider viewing angle. |
| Screen glare | More prone to glare due to the curvature of the screen. | Less prone to glare due to the flat screen. |
| Heat generation | Generates more heat. | Generates less heat. |
| Availability | Obsolete technology, no longer manufactured or sold. | Widely available and widely used. |
| Environment-friendly | Less environmentally friendly due to the use of CRTs. | More environmentally friendly due to the use of LCDs. |
1. Conventionality
The CRT monitor is the older type of display unit; whereas the LCD monitor is more of a recent invention. Hence, we can easily say that the CRT monitor is more conventional than the LCD monitor.
2. Operational Comparison
CRT monitors function on the basis of electron beams originating from the electron beam and hitting the phosphor dots. On the other hand, the operation of LCD monitors is based upon liquid crystals being charged up electrically. Both the monitors’ ultimate goal is to produce pictures not only in the form of still images but also in the form of motion.
3. Components
CRT monitor: – electron gun, phosphor, glass tube, anode, etc. LCD monitor: – liquid crystal, light source, light guide, film, glass, etc.
4. Power Consumption
LCD monitors use up much less power than CRT monitors. In fact, an LCD monitor consumes 3 to 4 times less power than a CRT monitor. It is one of the biggest advantages of LCD monitors.
5. Size
You may have found out that as technology advances, gadgets are becoming smaller and smaller. It is of course done for getting the advantages of portability. The same case has happened in the evolution of the monitor. CRT monitor being the older one possesses a sizable body structure; whereas the LCD displays are slim and very small in size.
6. Weight
The CRT monitor is very heavy because it has to carry a weighted electron gun. An average-sized CRT monitor weighs generally 20 to 25 kg. The LCD monitor has a great edge in this respect. An LCD monitor generally weighs 4 to 6 kg which makes it easy to handle.
7. Image Quality
The LCD monitor produces much better quality than the CRT monitor. You can also change the settings of these monitors as your choice.
8. Image Flickering
Image flickering is the frame disturbances on the monitor; a series of frames can not appear flawlessly as a blank frame causes two frames to set apart. This annoys a viewer to a great extent. CRT monitors have more problems with image flickering than LCD monitors.
9. Image Persistence
Image persistence or image retention is the nature of a picture remaining static for a period of time. The CRT monitor does not have image persistence which the LCD monitor does possess. Although being an old monitor, the CRT monitor has an edge over the LCD monitor in this regard.
10. Main Display Area
A CRT monitor has got some extra space around the main display, and this extra space is totally useless. The LCD monitor covers almost the full display as the viewing area and thus making it more efficient.
11. Viewing Angle
CRT monitors are better for wide viewing; you can watch a CRT TV from different sections of your room in a much better way compared to the LCD monitors.
12. Refresh Rate
The refresh rate of a monitor is one of the most important things that must be considered. Most LCD monitors produce a minimum refresh rate of around 200Hz; whereas the refresh rate of CRT monitors ranges between 70 to 80 Hz on average. Therefore, the resolution of the LCD monitor is much higher than that of the CRT monitor. Also, the G-sync monitor made the viewing experience awesome.
13. Response
CRT monitor: – fast response. LCD monitor: – slow response.
14. Cost
An LCD display unit costs higher than a CRT monitor which can stop you from buying the contemporary one.
15. Field of Use
All the television sets used to be made of CRT mechanism in the old times. Computer manufacturers were also making CRT monitors with the limitation of the technology. These monitors are still available, but their use is becoming less and less with time.
LCD monitors have taken the place of old CRT monitors. LCD monitors are extensively used for personal computers, laptops, netbooks, digital watches, calculators, television, and whatnot. You can easily set up dual monitor or triple monitor for convenient usage.
Conclusion
Both the CRT and LCD monitors have their advantages and disadvantages in several aspects. The newer technology will always replace the older ones; even the LED monitors are replacing the LCDs in recent times. No matter old or new; you should buy a monitor according to your need and choice. After reading the article, you should know all about CRT vs LCD monitors and their key differences.
