Video card output for CRT VS LCD?

[Bovon]

I have a cousin whose older Gateway's monitor is in need of replacement. The screen brightness and contrast controls are at max..and the monitor is a little dim...usable, but not too good.

I asked her if she would like a better monitor, and she indicated a flat screen (LCD probably) would be nice.

I have never looked into the use of one of these types, so I don't know what to tell her as to cost..which would vary (maybe a lot) if she must also purchase a new video card.

I am getting up the parts to just build her a new machine..and if the LCD type monitors require a different type of video card, I can plan that into an upgrade..and not try to work the monitor into this system.

Bottom line, will her video card she now has for a CRT monitor work with a digital (LCD?) type monitor.

Thanks

[sechs]

Nearly all LCD monitors come with standard VGA connectors that would work with the card that she has now. The better ones also have the digital DVI input.

Just double check with whatever models at which you're looking to make sure that they have that D-sub connector.

[mazdarx7-64]

The DVI input will give better quality than the VGA conector, if quality is a big issue I would upgrade the vid. card.

[Bovon]

Quote:

The DVI input will give better quality than the VGA conector, if quality is a big issue I would upgrade the vid. card.

Very good info...now, if we do that, I'll be sure to get a monitor that will have both the digital DVI as well as the D-sub VGA connector, and the upgrade can get a new digital video card.

The system is just a simple home e-mail, with light surfing use..so, nothing spectacular in the way of the latest and greatest video is needed...but, that will be left up to them and their pocketbook.

[HeadBand]

if space is not a concern i would go with a crt, they look better and are more versitle with resolutions, LCDs only look good at 1 resolution and that is usually too small for the average users liking

[PresterJohn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadBand

i would go with a crt, they look better and are more versitle with resolutions, LCDs only look good at 1 resolution and that is usually too small for the average users liking

i would disagree.

i find that your run of the mill LCD (in regards to picture quality) is at least as good, if not better than, your run of the mill CRT display. even high quality CRTs like sony, samsung, nec can have picture adjustment problems, ie. misconvergence, bad gun alignment, etc...problems that simply don't afflict LCDs. the only real issue LCD is the dead pixel(s).

as for "too small for the average user's liking", the overwhelming majority of people running CRTs in 15-17" category, run at 1024x768 which is the generally optimal resolution on LCDs in that category. for people using 18-19" CRTs, it's roughly a 45-55 split between 1024x768 and 1280x1024...again those same resolutions can be had with LCD's in that size (various 18-19" LCD brands have either 1024x, 1280x, and 1600x). so it's really just a matter of matching what resolution you like to run at with a corresponding LCD model.

[Bovon]

She and I both use 800 by 600 pixel res. We are older and our eyes not so great..the lower res with the larger fonts work best for us...so, I suspect that whether we go for a digital or CRT, the settings will remain at 800 by 600.

[HeadBand]

yeah there are no lcds that are 800x600, even the 14" will be 1024x768, and that would be about the size as having a 17" crt run at 1280x1024

[PresterJohn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bovon

She and I both use 800 by 600 pixel res. We are older and our eyes not so great..the lower res with the larger fonts work best for us...so, I suspect that whether we go for a digital or CRT, the settings will remain at 800 by 600.

then an LCD is probably not a good choice as nearly all 15" LCD's generally have an optimal resolution of 1024x768. running at a resolution other than the optimal one, results in more granular looking text.

i would suggest that you & your sister visit a neighborhood computer store and look at the LCD's there to see if the 800x600 is acceptable. i doubt if you would want to run 800x on a LCD.

[Bovon]

excellent point and info...exactly what I needed to know. I suspect she will now be more satisfied with a better CRT.

Many thanks,
Bovon