OT - Flat Screen (LCD) Monitors

bigvern · Post by **bigvern** » Thu Feb 27, 2003 8:57 am

My current PC has a standard AOC 17" monitor. Over an extended period working in the RE I have started to get headaches and the dreaded eyelid (or should that be eyeball). I'm sure that didn't happen with the identical monitor on the old PC. I've tried adjusting contrast and brightness but the image is still causing problems. The screen refresh rate is set to the default 60 Hz so first I'm wondering if a higher refresh rate (say 70) would help.

I was wondering if anyone has experience of using the new LCD style flat screen monitors. Are these better on the eyes for this type of work or would I be better just investing in an anti glare screen?

LucaZone · Post by **LucaZone** » Thu Feb 27, 2003 9:03 am

As a minimum on all monitors, ur refresh rate should be at least 75Hz yes. Aat 60Hz u will notice a straining on you eyes.

lacorbiere · Post by **lacorbiere** » Thu Feb 27, 2003 9:08 am

The vast majority of 17" monitors should be able to take 85Hz. 72Hz is the ABSOLUTE minimum if you are going to be working at a monitor for periods of longer than 30 minutes.

TFT screens are getting better, but a decent CRT monitor will still be streets ahead when it comes to things like motion blur, and speed of update.

saddletank · Post by **saddletank** » Thu Feb 27, 2003 9:19 am

I've been using a 17" Sampo LCD screen for over a year now. It refreshes at 50Hz. The image is wonderful. Crisp, clear, bright. No shimmer and no headaches after several hours work in RE. I don't have any issues with refreshing problems that I have noticed. It displays MSTS beautifully. The only drawback is you have to look at the screen pretty much square on, someone looking at it from an angle will see a poor image. They don't work with 3D gaming glasses either if that's an issue!

When I replace it, it will be for a 19" one (these weren't available when I got mine, the only reason I didn't get one). I would never go back to a CRT now.

The other benefits are your desk suddenly becomes a whole lot bigger

and carrying it around (I go to lots of UKTS shows and occasionally some LAN events) is a big bonus, you can buy a smaller car

bigvern · Post by **bigvern** » Thu Feb 27, 2003 10:36 am

Thanks for that - the display properties say it can go up to 85Mhz so I've reset initially to 70Mhz and already the display seems a bit kinder. I'll give 75 Mhz a try and maybe invest in an anti glare screen and see how that goes.

LucaZone · Post by **LucaZone** » Thu Feb 27, 2003 11:03 am

Saddletank - i seriously change it from 50Hz, even my optician said about it when i went for my last eye test. Prolonged periods of computer use can damage ur eyes if the refresh on the screen is too low. U might not notice it, but your eyes are straining.

bigvern · Post by **bigvern** » Thu Feb 27, 2003 11:40 am

Well I've now set it up to 75Mhz and got a nice anti glare plate courtesy of Argos and Â£12.99 in front of the screen (though I haven't worked out what the bit of wire attached to it does yet!). Much more pleasant to look at. At the end of the day, if the monitor wears out quicker because of using a higher refresh rate, it can be replaced. Your eyes can't.

This is quite an important topic particularly as Route Builders and 3D modellers, it's all too easy to get absorbed in what we're doing and find you've been sat in front of the monitor for hours at a time. Straining to put in tiny details (like fences) doesn't help either. Maybe we really should take the advice in all the manuals about having a break every hour or so.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

saddletank · Post by **saddletank** » Thu Feb 27, 2003 11:43 am

Vern - The 'bit of wire' is an earth connector. It should have a crocodile clip on the end and you attach it to anything nearby that's metal (the PC case is a good candidate). It stops static buildup on your screen which attracts dust.

Luca - thanks, will up the rate. My work screen is a 19" EIZO LCD set at 60Hz, that gives an equally good image.

Fodda · Post by **Fodda** » Thu Feb 27, 2003 3:23 pm

It's advisable to choose the highest refresh rate that your particular screen resolution will take. It won't actually wear the monitor out that much more quickly, in fact, you'll probably be replacing your monitor for a cheap plasma screen by the time the extra phophor burn is a problem.

So kids... remember, always choose the highest refresh rate available to you. It'll make sense in the long run.

peterholton · Post by **peterholton** » Thu Feb 27, 2003 5:23 pm

Also, Vern, make sure you've selected Clear Type in the display properties for XP: it makes documents a lot easier to read

Peter

asalmon · Post by **asalmon** » Thu Feb 27, 2003 5:30 pm

I'd have thought 50hz is fine for an LCD screen - as the persistance is much higher than on CRT.

-Alan

lacorbiere · Post by **lacorbiere** » Thu Feb 27, 2003 6:00 pm

Indeed. LCD screens don't actually need a higher refresh rate than 60Hz, and most are designed not to work well at higher refresh rates.

In fact, my Dell laptop specifically comes with an addendum telling you not to change the refreah rate from the default 60 Hz, AND the default resolution of 1600x1200. Although it will work, the screen is optimised for the refresh rate and resolution, so will work faster.

Jonathan

ianm42 · Post by **ianm42** » Thu Feb 27, 2003 7:50 pm

I have been using a cheapo (comparatively) 17" flat TFT screen by MBO e-vision for nearly a year now. It is running 1280x1024 at 60Hz and is just so much better than the 21" Iiyama CRT (which was pretty darn good). No flicker, no shimmer, no glare, flat and does not need two people to carry it. It also has no noticeable 'motion blur' that afflicted early laptops. And it has a wide viewing angle too.

I also have a Philips 15" TFT display that I use on my server and other machines, but the colour is not as nice.

GregoCh · Post by **GregoCh** » Wed Mar 05, 2003 5:22 pm

Just got me an AOC LM720A 17" TFT for the bargain price of Â£296 from Staples (of all places!).

Not a bad monitor, seems to compare Ok with the 18" Dell (rebadged LG) TFT's at work. Certainly takes up less space than the old CRT.

Just have to wait until the other half sees it and questions where:

a) It came from
b) Where the money to buy it came from