CRT monitors on their way out?

[GhostDoggy]

Well, a few days ago my Viewsonic PS790 died. The horizontal amplifier circuit went as seen when the picture compacted itself into a thin vertical line. I typically ran this monitor at 1600x1200, and used it originally for gaming, then later Photoshop. I no longer PC game, but I still have a need for a 19" display, capable of at least 1600x1200, and have a good black level and contrast.

The recent, all be it brief, Internet inspection shows Samsung 997mb (or the 997DF) to be fairly reasonable in price, but I am not sure I want to blindly trust what NewEgg suggests are buyer feedbacks on this product. I am thoroughly not impressed with the A and E series of Viewsonic monitors, and the G series is not found (in stock) at places like Best Buy, Circuit City, Fry's Electronics, or CompUSA.

Ok, resolve myself to having to buy online--crt monitors were the one thing I refused to buy online because of return costs conditions. Anyway, anyone have any experience with the Samsung 997mb? Anyone trust the NewEgg advertised buyer feedbacks?

 

[Wolfshanze]

I've ordered my last several CRT monitors on-line, never had to return any (it's not like you're going to be stuck with dead pixels!).

As for the Viewsonic "G" series, NewEgg has them in stock, and I heartily recomend them... I have the (Black) Viewsonic G90FB monitor myself (as my primary monitor), and you can also get one in Beige.

As for the Samsung 997DF monitor, I've heard plenty of good things from that monitor, and of Samsung monitors in general... in fact, I've owned three Samsung DF CRTs in the past and never had a problem with any of them (I'm still running my 955DF to this day... sold my older smaller 755DFs just because I wanted bigger monitors).

You can take or leave the NewEgg ratings as you want... they're not faked... maybe NewEgg ditches the negative reviews, I have no idea (that's one rumor), but that still leaves a lot of people who like what they buy... so while you may or may not trust the NewEgg reader reviews, I can tell you I've always been happy with Samsung CRTs, my current Viewsonic G90FB, and have never had a problem ordering CRTs through NewEgg before (as I have ordered at least four CRTs from them over the years).

 

[GhostDoggy]

Hmm, maybe I should buy one of the Viewsonics G90fb and one of the Samsung 997mb. I am aware of a Samsung 997DF, but no one seems to have it available for sale. I do not know if its to replace the mb or not, and don't know the differences between the their MB and DF series.

I also am not familiar with the G series from Viewsonic. With this, I mean I have never used a G series--only their PS (Professional Series), which later became PF for flat-screens. I have not done business with NewEgg in a couple of years, and the last time I tried they trashed my account*. Glad to hear you like the Samsungs and have experience with the Viewsonic G series.

* I logged in and updated my email address. I didn't get a confirmation, but when I tried to login again I couldn't. I tried for a couple of months to resolve the issue by email and phone, but I never got through on the phone, nor reply by email. Several people suggested I should just create a new account. Not sure if I can.

 

[Wolfshanze]

Well, I'm a gamer, and I like to use multiple resolutions, so LCDs just don't really cut it for me... not exactly thrilled with using 20-ton, space-heating CRTs, but the end result is I get really good picture quality at every resolution, and I'm happy with both Samsung DF and Viewsonic G-series monitors. I'm not familiar with Samsung's MB series, so I can't really comment on them, but I loved their DF series.

Oh, if you can, just make a new NewEgg account... at worst, give them a call on the phone and explain your problem. I'm sure they don't want to lose a potential customer over something as simple as a user account.

P.S.
I'm going to try and skip the whole LCD thing and hold-out for the new SED technology monitors. Looks like that will be the way to go here in the not-too-distant future.

 

[imported_Reck]

the samsung 997df is pretty much garbage, i'm not sure if the 997mb is any different.

 

[grimlykindo]

If you can find a new Samsung 997DF you should go for it. I got mine off of DELL.com for $175 shipped! Its a great looking monitor and has served me well for almost a year now. I usually run stuff at 1280x1024@85Hertz, but it looks great at 1600x1200@60. I got the Black and silver one that matches my P180 perfectly. Just keep Froogling and searching aroung- I'm sure you can find a CRT that suits your needs.

But you are right about CRTs dying off... I love my CRT :brokenheart:

 

[Compellor]

There are several 19" Sony G420S CRTs up on Ebay. They might not be brand new, but we're talking about one of the best 19" CRTs ever made.

 

[GhostDoggy]

Originally posted by: Reck
the samsung 997df is pretty much garbage, i'm not sure if the 997mb is any different.

Care to elaborate on this garbage statement? Opinion is one thing, personal experience is another. Which is yours?

 

[GhostDoggy]

Originally posted by: Wolfshanze
Oh, if you can, just make a new NewEgg account... at worst, give them a call on the phone and explain your problem. I'm sure they don't want to lose a potential customer over something as simple as a user account.

Actually, I tried several times by both phone and by email to fix the problem. I never got a human on the phone, and I never got a reply to the emails I sent to them. Really strange, but at the time some commented that their customer service had deminished in terms of support. Of course, no one ever said a bad thing about the prices, which is a hallmark for them.

 

[GhostDoggy]

Originally posted by: Compellor
There are several 19" Sony G420S CRTs up on Ebay. They might not be brand new, but we're talking about one of the best 19" CRTs ever made.

Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, I do not do business with eBay or PayPal for personal reasons.

 

[imported_Reck]

the latter, i tried the 997df out before returning it. why is it garbage? well for one the screen is not close to being flat. so when you look at it has a "fishbowl" effect. also when viewing white colors over a black backgroud, it has this nasty halo effect that completely distorts the image. hm and yea running at anything other than 1024x768 the screen has moire problems. the only thing decent about the monitor is it's color reproduction.

 

[GhostDoggy]

Originally posted by: Reck
the latter, i tried the 997df out before returning it. why is it garbage? well for one the screen is not close to being flat. so when you look at it has a "fishbowl" effect. also when viewing white colors over a black backgroud, it has this nasty halo effect that completely distorts the image. hm and yea running at anything other than 1024x768 the screen has moire problems. the only thing decent about the monitor is it's color reproduction.

Moire on any resolution above XGA? That's not good. Also, did you calibrate the monitor's brightness and contrast to eliminate and blooming (halo)? Sounds like I may need to try the Viewsonic Wolfshanze recommended (as a safe bet).

 

[CP5670]

The good CRTs were all phased out over a year ago and have pretty much disappeared now. I think out of the ones still available, the 997DF is supposed to be very good, although it doesn't compare to the old aperture grill ones. It's a good idea to buy it locally if you can though. A lot of the CRTs still out there are defective or poorly calibrated, so it's useful to be able to see the exact unit you're getting before buying it.

 

[GhostDoggy]

Originally posted by: CP5670
The good CRTs were all phased out over a year ago and have pretty much disappeared now. I think out of the ones still available, the 997DF is supposed to be very good, although it doesn't compare to the old aperture grill ones. It's a good idea to buy it locally if you can though. A lot of the CRTs still out there are defective or poorly calibrated, so it's useful to be able to see the exact unit you're getting before buying it.

I tried several retailers yesterday and found none with anything but refurbished Dell units or crappy 19" units with XGA as their top resolution (made for the blind?).

Believe me when I say I would much rather buy locally. Unfortunately, I cannot find anyone selling them. BTW, I am in Atlanta (Buckhead-Norcross; GA400 & I-285), Georgia if you know of any places.

 

[grimlykindo]

Originally posted by: Reck
the latter, i tried the 997df out before returning it. why is it garbage? well for one the screen is not close to being flat. so when you look at it has a "fishbowl" effect. also when viewing white colors over a black backgroud, it has this nasty halo effect that completely distorts the image. hm and yea running at anything other than 1024x768 the screen has moire problems. the only thing decent about the monitor is it's color reproduction.

You must have gotton a bad model or something - my 997DF is nothing like that...

I have none of the problems that you speak of - I agree that the screen isn't 100% flat, but it has no "fishbowl" effect. It actually seems alot more flat than many other CRTs out there. (trust me, I've looked)

But I guess when it comes down to it, its all about preference. I think my friends DELL 20" LCD looks like crap, but he thinks my 997DF looks like crap. So its really all about what you want and expect from your monitor.

 

[darXoul]

Heh, I also wanted to buy a CRT, namely the brand new ViewSonic G225fB which, despite its huge size and weight, looks awesome in terms of specs but I'm pretty sure it won't be available in Poland... At least you guys can buy some decent CRTs on Newegg, etc. Around here, the supply is really scarce.

 

[GhostDoggy]

Appears that Office Depot has the Viewsonic G90fb. Guess I'll try them tomorrow.

 

[Wolfshanze]

Appears that Office Depot has the Viewsonic G90fb. Guess I'll try them tomorrow.

There you go... give it a try (but remember store lighting usually sucks and is nothing like your home lighting).

I really do love my Viewsonic G90fb... I'm also running all my resoultions from the low of 640x480 to my "usual" desktop size of 1152x864 at 100Hz and the image looks great (the "optimal" default setting in Windows is actually 60Hz which sucks... keep that in mind if you are looking at it in the store, and see if you can change the Hz). I've also taken the monitor up to 1600x1200 and it's definately useable at that resolution if you're into that high a rez.

I have a GeForce 6800GT and I use the NVidia display drivers to tune-up the monitor... default settings don't do the monitor justice, you really need to toy with it (not hard at all) to get the most out of it (but I suppose that's true with all monitors). At default settings the monitor may seem a bit dark, but that's very easy to change with proper lighting and toying with the display options.

Anyways, good luck with the Viewsonic G90fb... it's one of the last good CRT monitors out there. Let us know what you think and if you get one.

P.S.
As for Reck's comments I think it's clear he was one of those guys who loved the Aperture Grill monitors of the 90s (to each his own). Yeah, those monitors are gone now, they went the way of the Dodo (along with those super-annoying gray lines on all Apperture Grills). Today's high-end CRTs are the competing Flat Shadow Mask technology. The Samsung DFs and Viewsonic 'G'-series all use various versions of flat Shadow Mask. Some people never liked the Shadow Masks... me, I could never stop staring at those damn lines in the Aperture Grills. Oh well, go to Office Depot, see what you think (but remember to check the Hz and color options).

 

[imported_Reck]

well i use the g90fb myself wolf. i think sony trinitrons have a sharper more realistic image but i like the colors on the viewsonic more. the g90fb isn't "professional" quality but it's definitely a decent monitor.

 

[Wolfshanze]

Reck, so I take it you like the Viewsonic G90fb shadow mask better then the Samsung 997DF shadow mask!?!? They are both variations of the same technology... neither is an AG monitor. Anyways, glad you also endorse the G90fb... it's a good monitor (as you know).

 

[Reiniku]

Good god, the fact that the 997df is even being recommended is mind boggling. I have NEVER, EVER owned such a horrible monitor (2 of them in fact - 2 rma's each) in my entire life. The things are just full of problems. (vertical lines along the sides, buzzing noises, off whites, and horrible blacks just to name the few I can recall). I know some people have less attention to detail or aren't as picky as me but I do not see at all how it's possible to like that monitor. I would stay away and be very glad that they're hard to find.

 

[xtknight]

These are on their way in: SuperSlim CRT (not FED/SED). They are a little less deep yet have brighter guns.
http://www.lgphilips-displays.com/english/newsroom/news_05_01_2006.html

It's stupid to sling around the word "crap" if the display doesn't meet your expectations. What's crap for one person might be the second coming of Christ for another. What's sad is the person might believe it when you say it's crap. Try saying something subjective instead. Not directed at anyone particular but I think it's childish.

 

[Wolfshanze]

Good god, the fact that the 997df is even being recommended is mind boggling.

Well, to be honest, I said exactly what my experience was... I've had Samsung, and I've had prior DF models, such as the 755DF and 955DF which I had good experiences with... I never seen a 997DF, so if they dropped off in quality, I don't know. He also mentioned the 997MB; I have no idea what that product is in Samsung's line or how differant it is from the DF.

Still, my main recomendation was what I both currently own and know you can get... I even linked it for him, and he found it locally in town... the Viewsonic G90FB, which I own and recomend wholeheartedly. I'm sure that's what he'll end up with (unless for some strange reason he doesn't like what he sees at Office Depot tomorrow).

As for the link above, I've been waiting for the "super slim CRT" (not SED) as well... though I'm still sadened to hear the best they can do is a 17" CRT... what's the deal with that? Where's the 19" or better CRT? I'm not going back to 17" anything when it comes to monitors!

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Wolfshanze
As for the link above, I've been waiting for the "super slim CRT" (not SED) as well... though I'm still sadened to hear the best they can do is a 17" CRT... what's the deal with that? Where's the 19" or better CRT? I'm not going back to 17" anything when it comes to monitors!

I'm sure they'll get some 19" ones. They have 17", 21", 29", 32".

 

[Wolfshanze]

Unless I misread the link, the larger sizes were TV's, not computer monitors... the only computer monitor they listed was 17"... or am I misreading the link?