A couple questions, and maybe a lively (Cynthia Lively?) discussion: I'm getting to the age where it is becomming very difficult to ask Santa for something I'd REALLY like for Christmas. I'm very happy with my analog e-bay second hand top-of-the-line analog Canon camera. Some of the features on the Minolta DiMage A200 seem really exciting. [As for the *real* professional Canon line, if I wait six months it will only get better, but perhaps still not quite as exciting as the "pro'sumer" line...] Socks are always welcome. But I digress... I saw at the local Fry's store a new Sony flat panel LCD monitor. It really looks slick; very bright. What I'm wondering is, how well do LCD monitors work for precision photographic work? Is color balance even possible? Or is it even more Zen than with a CRT? ____ "XBRITE LCD technology creates a new standard of exceptional picture quality inspired by high-definition television. Brilliant colors, sharp contrast and crisp graphics combine to deliver dramatic, eye-catching video from nearly any viewing angle."

i hope you're not asking me misha... as i'm just wishing for a large external drive since i filled this one up already... sure looks nifty!... but i do love my big fat, excellent color & clarity, too small monitor just fine :p

Misha - If the monitor allows you to adjust brightness, contrast and individual RGB balance then you can calibrate it. Gets even better if you can adjust RGB gain and bias, but that's not majorly important. I guess biggest thing would be the angle of view. Does the image color, brightness and contrast change depending on your viewing angle? Most of the current monitor calibration hardware works with both CRT and LCD. From what I've read, new LCD displays are usable for photo processing, but you have to calibrate them correctly - something about backlight intensity has to be set right, but I don't remember what.

Its a bit like the film vs. digital debate, they are both very good at what they do but do it differently. Donald has pretty much answered the question, but thought I would add my thoughts anyway. A flat screen high end CRT will in most cases have a better range of accurate colours/brightness at an acute viewing angle. I use a TFT and the colours are amazing as long as I dont view from too much of an angle. I have recently invested in hardware calibration, and the results are surprising but with excellent results (Thanks Donald) With a TFT there in no screen flicker and no eyestrain when used for long periods (important if it rains allot like it does here) and you get a much larger viewing area compared to the equivalent CRT Most but the very basic TFT's allow you to adjust brightness, contrast and individual RGB balance etc. .

ooooooooooooh... no eye strain! the end of headaches! there's a plus right there! sigh... maybe Tedz's Bricks Unlimited can send me one :]

Don't ask me. Just yesterday I installed my brandspanking new 19" iiyama CRT :)

smash....tinkle clinkle goes another Shop Window. I too use a Flat TFT Monitor...and, the first thing that was a Bonus for Me.....was that My constant Headaches disappeared. The TFT is so easy on the Eye, why sometimes I turn the Power off, and just look at My Reflection....sigh The only thing that I stress when Purchasing...or Stealing a Flat TFT or LCD Monitor...is closely inspect it working...make sure that no Pixels have blown.....My first TFT.....blew several Pixels within the first Month....and much In-Store Demonstration and threats of Violence had to be made before it was Replaced. Further of course is the benefit of them taking up very little room....as the CRT's are akin to having a small Car parked on the Desk :]

LCD monitor is MUCH better for photography work! Color balance is MUCH better. before i got my LCD, I had a much harder time doing postwork. and it's a helluva lot easier on the eyes! Good luck! sheila

Hey Tedz - great post with some good info to keep in mind. Here, you get a gold star for being a good helper. :) -=>Donald

Thanks Donald....You are like a Big Brother to Me....and I need Your Praise....manly hugz

" LCD monitor is MUCH better for photography work! " Excuse me? A High-end TFT might come close to a CRT, but CRT remains superior. Sounds like your CRT was just poorly configured or maybe you just had a crappy CRT.

I recently has problems with my old stand by monitor - turned out to be a sound card not the monitor - but at the time I didn't know that :( SOOooo I ran down to my local Staples and purchased a $400 LCD flat screen monitor - Top of the line. I have never been so disappointed in a purchase! The colors were very flat :( I was so happy to get my old CRT monitor back! Perhaps it was just the model I tried ??? Love to hear more input on CRT vs LCD :) Dee-Marie

Attached Link: http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1734423,00.asp

From what I've been reading, CRT's still Rule when it comes to graphics. The link here is a recent review, (though one needs to be cautious as they are comparing against a $2.6K CRT). Think I'll stay with my dual Viewsonic P95f's for a while longer.

The external drives still seem pretty over-priced. If you have a free IDE slot, internals are still the best bargain. [Are you running WinXP? May need to upgrade BIOS for a really big drive... Careful.]

i don't know if i have a free IDE slot :p... it all looks pretty tight in there (Compaq- Cdrive, sys_savD plus burner) & is now 3 years old... yes i have XP, upgrade BIOS? ...see? i'm pretty green when it comes to techy stuff... literally :] i do have driveimage7 to use when i get the external, which to me sounds easier... with time i'll be learning more, thanks misha!

Bah! Snoogums....I go Brick Shopping tonight and get You a complete New System....19" Flat Screen..DVD..it will be here....when I pick You up at the Airporto....now I must rush to Race in the Foxton Grand Prix.

Misha I think that there is little doubt that at this time CRT's are the better option to TFT's like for like regarding colours, Although a 2.6 k TFT would also be a very high quality device. At the end of the day they both have their pros and cons and it is probably very much down to the make and personal preference. Cyn I tend to agree with you that although an external HDD is more expensive it may be the more logical option for you at this time as you are unsure whether you have spare drive bay etc. and Mishas comment about needing to upgrade your BOIS is a very valid point.) Over here you can get a 200GB external drive from 120 which isnt bad, if you had to have an internal drive fitted professionally it may cost that much anyway. Also if you did go for an external HDD you would also have the option to easily transfer it to a new machine if you decide to upgrade to a new system in the future.

Check that you have USB2 -- USB1 isn't really fast enough for an external drive. My brother's new machine came with two hard drives, one of them external, and luckily his old machine supported USB2. Some HDD-based MP3 boxes also are effective external drives.

I dont know about the difference between crt, tft and lcd, but a flat sceen in general is much better for viewing than a regular computerscreen imo. They are much sharper.