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| 5/23 |
| 2002/7/10-11 [Computer/HW/Laptop, Computer/HW/Display] UID:25325 Activity:insanely high |
7/10 Buying an LCD monitor but wants to know more about them. Where's a
site to learn about TFT, active matrix, lumen, contrast, etc? Thanks
\_ http://tomshardware.com just came out with comparison reviews of 17" LCDs.
Search their archives for reviews of 15" LCDs.
\_ Is it no longer permissible to refer to one's self with the pronoun
and be verb combination "I am" at the beginning of a sentence? Also,
I wonder if the rules for singular and plural references have
changed as well. obE190.
\_ They are redundant, and hence not permissible. !poster
\_ They're for clarity. Who says OP was buying for themself?
\_ Which rule for singular or plural does "themself" come
from?
\_ None. There is no such word.
\_ So how did you know it's for "one's self"?
\_ what's "ob", as in obE190?
\_ obligatorily stupid
\_ obstetrics
\_ dict ob
\_ clearly this must be a reference to the russian river...
\_ http://arstechnica.com/guide/flatpanel/flatpanels-1.html |
| 5/23 |
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| arstechnica.com/guide/flatpanel/flatpanels-1.html Flat-panels simply scream "power user," and the good news is they're finally affordable for the masses. Of course, the first monitors that have actually slid into the affordable range are low-end. Before you whip out that wad of hard-earned cash and slap a flat-panel on your desk, you should probably know what you're getting into. And if cash isn't a concern, you should still know what you're getting into, because flat-panels are in a far different league from the CRT monitor that's been monopolizing your desk space for the last ten (or more) years. We'll take you through the technology behind flat-panels, and then offer up a plate of tips for shopping for that sleek desktop demon. Hordes of other computing enthusiasts are pondering jumping the CRT ship into LCD waters, and you can find many of them right here, in the 38 Ars Technica OpenForum 39 Audio/Visual Club (but don't worry; Liquid crystal displays: a bit of science Most flat-panel monitors use LCD (liquid crystal display) technology. While you probably grow overly excited in the presence of a flat-panel, the truth is that you interact with LCD technology on a daily basis. After all, LCDs are implemented in digital watches, clocks, stereo equipment, microwave ovens and other devices. Naturally, none of these displays can run Quake 3 in mind-boggling resolutions (or any resolution, for that matter), but the technology is nonetheless very similar to flat-panel displays. LCDs use rod-shaped molecules (these are the liquid crystals) that flow like liquid and bend light. When the crystals are unenergized, they direct light through two polarizing filters, thus delivering a natural background color. When they're energized, they redirect the light to be absorbed in one of the polarizing filters. The contrast and viewing angle are improved along with increased twisting of the molecules. The LCD panel is basically translucent glass that can display computerized images using a bunch of these liquid crystals (each creates one pixel). CRTs Most of us have had long relationships with CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitors. Love 'em or hate 'em, they're what we've used, because they're affordable and dependable. So how do flat-panels stack up against their tried-and-true CRT cousins? Perhaps the most obvious advantage that flat-panel monitors have is their small footprint. Sure, we've accepted the lack of desktop real estate due to our need for 19- and 21-inch CRT monitors. But until you've yanked that CRT and replaced it with a flat-panel, you have no idea how much you secretly hate that monstrous box and all the space it hogs. The next flat-panel advantage is one that's likely to attract nature lovers - LCDs use less energy. While CRTs don't gobble a spectacular amount of electricity, the amount an LCD can save is still noticeable. Some manufacturers claim their flat-panels use only 30% of the energy needed to power similar-sized CRTs, and some users claim even more. Along similar lines, LCDs have very low radiation emissions, although CRTs have improved significantly in this department in the last five or so years. How does flat-panel display quality compare to CRT display quality? Flat-panel displays are brighter than CRT displays and many argue that they're sharper. And because they run at a slower refresh rate, the age-old CRT flicker problem is almost non-existent on LCDs. This is because the liquid crystal molecules have a dampening effect on flicker, and thus higher refresh rates aren't necessary. For those of you who spend hours upon hours in front of your monitor, this could mean a much less stressful viewing experience. A CRT monitor can generally be viewed effectively from all angles - even narrow angles. Although LCDs are improving in this department, in many cases when you move your vision off-center, the screen appears to darken and becomes more difficult to view. Laptop users are very familiar with this effect, although fixing the problem while using a laptop is as simple as adjusting the swivel screen with one hand. However, some pivoting frames included with flat-panels simplify screen adjustment to the point that you can easily view the screen from almost any angle with the touch of a finger or two. A few years ago, the price of flat-panels alone would have made the monitor-buying decision an easy one. However, flat-panel prices have dropped so dramatically in the past year that now it's a tough decision. In fact, you can now find 15-inch flat-panels as low as $265! You should also remember that a 15-inch LCD does not equal a 15-inch CRT in terms of viewing size. A 15-inch LCD delivers about the same viewing space as a 17-inch CRT (and a 17-inch LCD roughly equals a 19-inch CRT, and so on), so keep this in mind when shopping for a flat-panel - that higher price equals more viewing room. Sorry, but if you have a flat-panel on your desk, you are cool. CRT aficionados can argue their case until they're blue in the face, but the fact remains that a slim display does wonders for your love life, compared to a hulking CRT. |
| tomshardware.com -> www.tomshardware.com/ Tom's Hardware Guide Community The best knowledge base remains the human brain. It adapts quickly to change, and is very adept at solving complex problems that defy logic. Sounds like the ideal resource for anyone into hardware. If you want to start a thread with like-minded hardware enthusiasts, or you're looking for someone who has experience of a particular device, or a problem you may have, this is the place to be. May 13, 2004 - E3 Preview of Activision's Hottest PC Titles THG takes you behind the scenes at E3 for a sneak preview of Activision's upcoming game titles. Get a glimpse of what to look out for this fall upon the release of three new exciting titles. THG takes you behind the scenes at E3 for a sneak preview of Activision's upcoming game titles. Get a glimpse of what to look out for this fall upon the release of three new exciting titles. May 11, 2004 - Modding The Xbox Into The Ultimate Multimedia Center Like a teenage kid with a genius IQ who is addicted to video games, Microsoft's Xbox offers a lot of untapped potential. THG downloads a version of Xbox Media Center software and installs it on an Xbox mod from FriendTech to show just what the game console is capable of. Like a teenage kid with a genius IQ who is addicted to video games, Microsoft's Xbox offers a lot of untapped potential. THG downloads a version of Xbox Media Center software and installs it on an Xbox mod from FriendTech to show just what the game console is capable of. May 11, 2004 - Networld+Interop 2004 Las Vegas Show Report - Opening Day We've begun our prowl of the smaller and gentler Networld+Interop 2004 Las Vegas show. It only took about three hours to do a walk-through of the entire show floor, but there were still some interesting things to see. Check out our report for what we've seen, hope to see and don't think we'll be seeing at all. We've begun our prowl of the smaller and gentler Networld+Interop 2004 Las Vegas show. It only took about three hours to do a walk-through of the entire show floor, but there were still some interesting things to see. Check out our report for what we've seen, hope to see and don't think we'll be seeing at all. May 10, 2004 - Intel's Dothan Makes Its Late Debut Intel's Dothan mobile processor has the trappings to boost performance while consuming less power. With a 2-MB L2 cache backed by Intel's 90-nm production technology, Dothan's promise is put to the test in a notebook from Winbook. Intel's Dothan mobile processor has the trappings to boost performance while consuming less power. With a 2-MB L2 cache backed by Intel's 90-nm production technology, Dothan's promise is put to the test in a notebook from Winbook. May 9, 2004 - The Hitman Returns to His Killing Business Gamers can once again assume the persona of the famous Hitman in the third installment of the IO Interactive series, Hitman: Contracts. A THG editor reenters death's door to see if the graphics, sound and controls live up to expectations of assassinations past. Gamers can once again assume the persona of the famous Hitman in the third installment of the IO Interactive series, Hitman: Contracts. A THG editor reenters death's door to see if the graphics, sound and controls live up to expectations of assassinations past. April 27, 2004 - Contour Design's Shuttle Pro 2 Breaks the Keyboard Ball-and-Chain The Shuttle Pro 2, with its 15 programmable buttons and twin jog shuttles, is designed to help you avoid having to move your hands from the mouse to keyboard. But does this controller meet the needs of the video professional? The Shuttle Pro 2, with its 15 programmable buttons and twin jog shuttles, is designed to help you avoid having to move your hands from the mouse to keyboard. But does this controller meet the needs of the video professional? |