RE: [APML] CRT vs Flat Panel for display of astrophotos

["Joseph O'Neil" <joneil@multiboard.com>]

>I've never heard "contrast ratio" used as a term of reference, or
>comparison before. Is it a valid comparison point? And if so, what
>would the recommended range be?

Hi Alan;
         I never heard of it before a few months ago myself, but the 
computer store where i bought my LCD form I met up with an old friend from 
way back in my BBS days, who filled me in.
         Technically I do not understand what the higher contrast ratio is 
supposed to mean, but when you take two identical brands & sizes of LCD 
monitors, put them side by side, the one with the higher contrast ratio 
wins out for dynamic range and overall image sharpness, even when the dot 
pitch is exactly the same.

         I just happen to be in  Best Buy store today for a totally 
different reason,a dn went and looked at allt eh LCD monitors.  All of them 
on display, save one, had contrast ratios of 350:1 or 400:1, and the 
singular exception was one that was 700:1.  But the price - ouch - it was 
at elast 50% higher than the same sized monitor (differnt brand) that hd 
the 400:1 contrast ratio.

         So, there you go, no idea what it is suppsoed to mean, but I can 
tell you, sitting here in front of my Acer LCD (500:1 ratio), it sure is nice.

         One of the issues too is that whiel I think a really good, top of 
the line CRT monitor from say Sony or NEC still has the edge in dynamic 
range, but the eyestrain on good LCD monitors is almost negligible compared 
to any CRT monitor I have ever used.   That's the main reason I upgraded - 
eyestrain from longs hours at the monitor - no more headaches now.  :)

         Another issue with LCD monitors is I really had to play aorund 
with mine to get it where I wanted it.  It feels so different on the eyes, 
you have a hard time judging where to put your contrast and brightness ad 
you woudl with say a CRT monitor.  But overall, I have been happy with mine

         You know what the differenc is lsimilar too?  say you have a 
photograph - astrophoto or daytime shot - and you want to make two versions 
- one for use on a web site, and one you will print out.  You know how you 
work in photoshop on the web one differently than the one that is to be 
printed out, in terms of adjusting contrast, brightness, etc, etc.

         Jumping form a CRT to a LCD monitor is much like that.  In fact, 
because we had LCD monitors at work, i personally found it difficult to use 
my CRT monitor at home, making the mental adjustment whebn judging 
tonality, contrast, brightness, etc, etc, so I broke down and got a LCD 
monitor there too.

         Hope that helps more than it confuses.
:)
joe




http://www.oneilphoto.on.ca
http://www.multiboard.com/~joneil
Una salus victis, nullam sperare salutem


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