I require a CRT expert (scaryjim!?) ... I need lots of help.

[c.ruel]

Question 1) (not strictly hardware related but the most important one in a way).

Can my desk take the weight of my new/old CRT monitor it's a dell p1130 here is the specification it weights 30kg. Desk is a bog standard ikea one with just the monitor and my computer plus some speaks total weight is probably 40kg.

Question 2)

Should I use 9300k, 6500k or 5000k for colour temperature? Which will extend the life of the monitor best?

Question 3)

Is there like a simple tool or not I can use to configure the contrast and whatever simply. On my old TFT I just hold down the menu button and it did auto adjustment. The menus are very hard to negotiate.

Question 4)

Best case scenario how long does an old CRT last?

[AGTDenton]

Question 1)
What are the dimensions of the desk & leg support. If its cheap chipboard I would say probably not.

Question 2)

Its going to depend somewhat on your environment e.g. are you in a bright room with lots of windows, or a dark room with little light.
This colour chart might help understand the differences, the higher you go the more blue it will become you may find it uncomfortable on the eyes.
http://www.mediacollege.com/lighting...mperature.html

Question 3)

Your graphics card driver may give you further control on brightness and contrast.

Question 4)

10 years+ sometimes. Other times they can work but flicker.

[pipTheGeek]

I had a pair of CRT's at work that I hung on to for over 10 years. The only reason I let them go is one (the newer one of the pair) started to make an annoying high pitched noise.
I have a 19inch CRT at home that came second hand from work, it's probably about 9 years old now. It's working fine although I use it at the edge of its ability. 1280*1024 @ 85hz and it is starting to lose focus a little.
This monitor is standing on a cheap chipboard flatpack PC cabinet that was bought from Argos some years ago. It is still standing, although it has sagged a little. Don't know how much my monitor weighs, obviously less than yours though.

[c.ruel]

I got mine on 1600x1200 at 85hz but it says it's native resolution is 1280x1024. Firstly which should i use (i prefer the additional desk space of having it on 1600x1200). Secondly does this mean my CRT is not that great, i.e. has it been boosted up to 1600x1200 somehow? My last CRT had a max res of 1600x1200 and that was also it's "native" resolution I believe.

I have it on 6500k colour temperatures using the variable preset. White isn't as bright on it this way but it does amazing on this black test. It says on an average monitor you should notice the change from steps 5-8 and on an amazing very well calibrated monitor steps 0-1 ... i notice a change on steps 1-2. So don't think i will fiddle with it much anymore as I am pretty happy with it.

Finally how can you talk about native resolution on a CRT I thought the whole idea was that they didn't have native resolutions they just maybe have recommended resolutions :S.

[scaryjim]

Always worrying to see your username in a thread title

Firstly, I'm not a CRT expert, just a huge fan. I'm afraid I can't really give authoritative answers to most of your questions. However:

1) your desk should be fine with a 21" CRT. I have a 22" CRT and a 15" CRT on an ikea desk at the minute with no issue. That said, it does depend on the exact desk you've got: which one is it?

4) My wife's 17" CRT is still going strong a good 11 years after manufacture. Given a normal usage pattern (i.e. an average of 5 - 6 hours per day) I'd expect a CRT to last up to ten years. How old is your already?

I'm personally going to be gutted when my current screen gives out (hopefully I'll get a few years yet though), as I doubt I'll be able to get another decent CRT by that point, and TFT panels struggle to approach the pixel density and refresh rates. 16x12 @85Hz on a 22" CRT is just magnificent...

EDIT: I wouldn't worry too much about the recommended optimal settings, they're generally just the manufacturer playing safe. I'd personally stick with the highest preset i.e. 1600x1200 @ 85Hz. I notice that your monitor can address up to 2048x1536 (you'll probably have to force the res in drivers) which might be worth looking at, if only briefly, for amusment value (mine can handle that res comfortably but the pixel pitch gets so small it's a bit ridiculous). 16x12 is (imnsho) an optimal setting though.

[nibbler]

Why do you like CRTs so much? Better quality? Must say I miss my glass screen.

[Flibb]

I am currently using a 22" sony CRT as my monitor, had it a few years and I picked it up refurb. Works perfectly, lovely colours, and I keep it calibrated. Weighs half a ton and surprised that my desk has held up this long. I run it at 1600x1200 85hz

[scaryjim]

Why do you like CRTs so much? Better quality? Must say I miss my glass screen.

Mostly the ability to use them at a number of resolutions without the kind of nasty screen distortion that you get running TFTs at non-native resolutions. That and they tend to have a better pixel pitch and faster refresh rates: find me a 20" visible 1600x1200 TFT with a refresh rate of 85Hz...

[nibbler]

I hate cleaning my monitor, but I like the colours and size

[pipTheGeek]

I hung on to CRTs becuase the latency of TFTs bothered me. Having had to swap them for TFTs I realised just how nice the colours where. I've got used to the TFTs now though. Having height adjustment is nice though.
At home I keep the CRTs mostly because in a fight between a CRT and a cat or small child, the CRT will win. We really fear our kitten trying to climb the screen of our LCD TV.
I do however go to a small LAN every few months, I'm the only one still lugging in a CRT.

find me a 20" visible 1600x1200 TFT with a refresh rate of 85Hz...

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/23-al...-400-cd-m-3-ms
okay, its widescreen so not quite 1600x1200.

[AGTDenton]

Mostly the ability to use them at a number of resolutions without the kind of nasty screen distortion that you get running TFTs at non-native resolutions. That and they tend to have a better pixel pitch and faster refresh rates: find me a 20" visible 1600x1200 TFT with a refresh rate of 85Hz...

You're right its been a long time since I used to change resolution on a regular basis. I do miss being able to change to whatever resolution you want and get good visuals each time.
It makes buying decisions a little harder with TFT's, as you are ultimately buying *the* resolution at the same time rather than being able to choose from a range. Its even worse on wide screen as like mine it only supports one 16*10 resolution natively, anything else you change it to is stretched and mangled. That said, I wouldnt get rid of my current Dell monitor, I've adjusted during 5 years and not needed to change resolution, even in games.

I remember a few manufacturers built some slim CRT TV's about 6 years ago but they only seemed to be sold in countries where TFT's were just too expensive. They never made it here, in mass if at all, and so they never made any slim CRT PC varients which is a shame.

[c.ruel]

Thanks for all your help everyone so very helpful answers ... particularly about my desk ... you have reassured me.

So far I am absolutely chuffed with this monitor. Colours aren't amazing but very superior to my old TFT. I just have it on the sRGB preset which seems pretty decent. I have download refresh lock and have it at 85hz on 1600x1200 (refresh lock wanted to do a 100hz but i wasn't too keen on that seemed a bit high). On 640x480 it does 100hz comfortably which is the resoltuion I play CS at and is phenomenal smooth ... on all other resolutions it seems to do 100hz pretty comfortably so not too worried.

I think you are right scaryjim this monitor supports resolutions a little higher than 1600x1200 as some games seem to want to put it in very high resolutions. Don't know what kind of life it has had because it is a freebee that work were throwing out so don't want to punish it too much even though it probably could do higher resolutions and refresh rates.

I also have the colour temperature on 6500k as I thought that might help make it last a little longer as well

[chris_argyle]

I remember a few manufacturers built some slim CRT TV's about 6 years ago but they only seemed to be sold in countries where TFT's were just too expensive. They never made it here, in mass if at all, and so they never made any slim CRT PC varients which is a shame.

Samsung released at least two 32" models in the Uk. Both 1080i 100hz sets they had a single hdmi and one had freeview. Priced brilliantly at around £500 Inc stand they were far superior the the newly emerging LCD offerings at twice the price. The only problem was the distortion at the very sides made reading scrolling text difficult towards the edges.

At the time I can remember recommending them very regularly, so much so that my flatmate at the time, and my parents both bought one, and I'm still impressed by the picture when I visit!