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    Can I use a CRT for Color Accuracy?

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by Blake, May 24, 2011.

  1. Blake

    Blake NBR Reviewer NBR Reviewer

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    Hey guys,

    I've recently started dabbling with more photography as of late, and I'm also doing a bit of print work as well.

    I have a Dell XPS m1530 that's held up for me, but the LCD is not quite as color accurate as I'd like. :(

    I was hoping to pick up an old CRT off of craigslist (my area has several in decent shape for ~$10 or less) to do some closer color comparisons. I always hard proof anything before I commit to printing a batch anyways, out of habit, and from prior incidents with my LCD not being very true for me.

    Supposing the CRT does the job as a basic extended monitor, what is the best way to connect to it? I know for certain I have an HDMI port, a VGA - out and an S-Video - out. I'd rather not buy a converter box for HDMI to VGA, as that's an added cost, but could I utilize the SVideo or VGA out to the CRT? I'm sure that question sounds silly, but I've never used anything aside from my HDMI port. :eek:

    Thanks all!
     
    Blake, May 24, 2011
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  2. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

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    VGA is likely the best. CRT's rarely have any other ports. You're lucky you have a VGA out, because most computers don't have those any more
     
    Pitabred, May 24, 2011
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  3. Blake

    Blake NBR Reviewer NBR Reviewer

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    Indeed. At the time, the HDMI port was the big deal, but I'm glad it still has the ancient VGA in lieu of a DVI port.

    Thanks Pita!
     
    Blake, May 24, 2011
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  4. garetjax

    garetjax NBR Freelance Reviewer NBR Reviewer

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    CRT monitors offer the most accurate color reproduction than any LCD to date. CRT's, while viciously maligned for their boxy countenance and sheer weight, are still one of the best displays to use when graphic editing and accurate color posting is required. As Pitabred mentioned, VGA is the only viable option you have as far as connecting your CRT to your PC.

    As an aside, when you do pick out your CRT, you might want to pay attention to the pixel pitch in the monitor. Pixel pitch essentially relates the distance between one pixel and the pixel adjacent to it. Thus, the smaller the pixel pitch, the sharper the image on your screen becomes.

    It is not uncommon to see a pixel pitch of .25mm on some monitors, such as the Gateway VX920 (which is quite possibly one of the best 19" CRT's ever made). The standard pixel pitch of most CRT's is around .27 to .29mm.
     
    garetjax, May 24, 2011
    #4