Flat
Panel LCD Displays vs. CRT Monitors
Information Technology
has purchased eighty flat panel LCD displays for evaluation and
testing by College staff. A group of college employees were selected
to evaluate the LCD displays based on limited work space and high
utilization of their PCs.
Recipients were asked
to complete a survey rating ten factors of the LCD display in comparison
to the CRT monitor that they used previously. Forty-six participants
responded to the survey. The ten factors tested and the percentages
rating the factor as significantly better than the CRT are shown
in the accompanying table.
| COMPARISON FACTOR |
PERCENT RATING SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER
THAN CRT |
| Amount of desk space used by LCD panel |
96% |
| Amount of glare on the screen |
89% |
| Clarity of image |
80% |
| Trueness of color/ability to reproduce colors |
74% |
| Ease of movement/adjustment of the screen |
70% |
| Eye strain |
61% |
| Ability to set screen at desired resolution |
54% |
| Video playback quality (i.e. streaming video) |
54% |
| Ability to view screen from an angle |
38% |
| Ease of operating controls |
24% |
The survey
results and comments indicated a strong preference for the LCD panels,
with significant improvements being mentioned regarding the amount
of work space used, reduction of glare on the screen, and clarity
of image. While the ease of operating the controls received the
lowest “significantly better” rating, no participants
rated that feature as worse than the CRT.
During testing
the only major concern experienced by the Help Desk related to the
LCD panel’s optimization to run at certain (higher) resolution
rates. A small number of participants discovered that they preferred
a lower resolution with larger text, icons, etc that was not optimal
for the LCD panel. The lower resolution resulted in text and images
that were less sharp than the CRT monitor had produced.
Overall, the
survey showed an overwhelming preference for the LCD displays and
as a result, it has been recommended and approved that the College
integrate flat panel LCD displays into the replacement plan. Over
the next four years as faculty, staff, and student computers are
replaced on the replacement plan, existing CRT monitors will be
replaced with LCD displays. Flat panel LCD displays will also be
purchased with any new, non-replacement computer purchase. A limited
inventory of CRT monitors will be retained to accommodate those
with a preference for the CRT’s image.
For those who
will be receiving a flat panel display, they should avoid contacting
the screen with sharp objects and be aware that when cleaning is
necessary the LCD surface should be cleaned with a non-abrasive,
lint-free cloth and water. Avoid using glass cleaner and any cleaning
solution that contains ammonia as that will cause damage to the
plastic surface of the screen.
If you have
any further questions please do not hesitate to contact the Help
Desk at ext. 4357.
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