shadow mask vs. aperture grill

D

DMono

New member
I just bought a 19 inch Mitsubishi monitor(Diamond Plus 91). I love it for
graphics but for straight text reading
like newsgroups it's hard on the eyes.
I still have time to return it.
I'd like your opinion on these two types of monitors and also recommendation for
a 19 inch shadow mask monitor to look at.
TIA
 
I opted for the shadow mask as I thought the trinitron-type screen tension wires would annoy me since I spend time in Word, Excel, etc. with white backgrounds. That and I heard some were almost painfully bright if you like to work/play in a low light environment. They're getting harder to find (shadow mask). I had looked at the diamond plus series and almost got one, but then went with a viewsonic ps775 (17"). No complaints - I run my desktop (and games when possible) at 1152x864 because it's a nice balance between size, performance, and speed.

The radeon versus my old v3 3k sure made a difference with the same monitor - it's brighter and the colors are more vibrant now.

As for a monitor recommendation... it depends on how much you can spend. If you are more budget minded, Viewsonic and MAG have quality invar shadow mask 19" monitors. Looking to go higher-end, then consider NEC and Eizo.

[This message has been edited by vitocorleone (edited 12-21-2000).]
 
A clip from something I wrote which should thoroughly explain it for you....

Aperture Grille vs. Shadow Mask

Aperture Grille is also known as "Stripe Mask," likewise Shadow Mask is also known to some as "Dot Mask." Both these CRT types are - in more general terms - filters. The main (and only) purpose of these filters is to filter the light flow in precise ways so that when the image displays at the end of the picture tube (your monitor), it is clean looking and geometrically correct. Both filters display extremely pleasing results to the eye.

Later technologies using the Aperture Grille method such as Sony's Trinitron tube (outstanding name, you've probably seen one whether or not you know what it is), ViewSonic's SonicTron and Mitsubishi's DiamondTron all offer brighter images with richer colours. Of course this comes with the added cost of such a technology. This doesn't necessarily mean that Aperture Grille is the choice for you. Shadow Masks made from a special metal alloy called 'INVAR' are most resistant to the warping and distortion caused by heat over the years. Shadow Masks tend to slightly lose some color depth in exchange for better positional accuracy which comes in handy for CAD/CAM engineers who require a finer degree of accuracy for displaying lines and shapes.
Hope this helps!
 
WOW!
A new rank, I must be really special now being only one of few kick ass members eh?

Or maybe I haven't been posting here like I used to.
 
I'd have to say aperture grille then because for the most part you get "brighter/richer images/colours" which is always nice when playing games.
If you get a flat display (flat-faced, not LCD) it must be using some type of trinitron tube due to the geometric "correctness" of it (IE. aperture grille).

However the Sony Trinitron tube does leave some thread lines in the display which can be mildly visible, enough that it has become a peeve.

would recommend...
 
...Actually do you have a budget?

It has also been said that "flat-faced" monitors provide more realistic looking colours. That's up to you to decide though.
21"...
http://www.samsungelectronics.com/products/monitor/1000p_1.html

This might be ok. (above)
I couldn't find if it specified a Shadow/Dot Mask though.
The 19" version...
http://www.samsungelectronics.com/products/monitor/900p_2.html

Samsung make outstanding monitors!
I have a ViewSonic GF775 (17" version of the PF775) at home right now. I got that at the time for around $550 CDN a year ago.
Just email me if you need anymore help!

You can read the whole monitor article (just basic) here if you wish.
 
Please tell us your budget because that makes a big difference.

IMO the best 19" shadow mask monitor out there is the Samsung 900IFT. It goes for around $420 from a good place like Onvia.com last time I checked. It is mostly flat, not a "true flat" like trinitron or other AG based monitors, but it is not nearly as curved as others.

Generally, ShadowMask monitors are better at displaying text while Aperature Grill is better at displaying colors.
 
The most important feature of your monitor for text clarity is the dot-pitch. aperture grill and shadow mask monitors quote different numbers for this due to their varios designs, but smaller is Always better. (shadow mask monitors need smaller "dot pitch" than aperture grill monitors due to the design... not going to detail the differences in this msg).

I have had an 17" Iiyama monitor based on a diamondtron tube for over 3 years, and am quite conviced the Significant extra amount I paid for it at the time (they are much cheaper now) was well worth it. Regardless of which type of monitor tube you choose, don't skrimp on it... get a well engineered monitor and you'll be happy either way.

As for the bands from the tension wires, the first day or two I owned my monitor, I thought it would drive me crazy. In fact the first day I got it, I thought there was something wrong with it. But after a week or so, I literally didn't not notice the 2 ever so slight shadows... and the brighter colors, along with the vivid color saturation of ATI's cards (they've had that for a long time, I don't like the washed out look of other cards that some people prefer) have left me more than happy with the combination.
 
No I don't really have a budget problem.
The Mitsubishi Diamond Plus 91 was $499
plus tax.Most monitors are cheaper then that.
Afew bucks more or less does'nt really matter. I'm getting used to the Diamondtron
NF monitor though I still want to look at some high end shadow mask monitors before I decide. I'm going to see if anyone locally
carries the new "true flat" shadow mask
monitors.
 
Just like to comment...

I bought this 15" sony Multiscan 15sf2 4 1/2 years ago (800+ tax canadain $$$)... .25 dot pitch, 85hz (@ 8x6) max or 1280x1024 (@ 60hz) res... today it's sharp & vibrant - just like when i first bought it!

but....... i have to agree about both the color quality and those minutely noticable ap lines...

I love the color quality.. plain and simple.. VERY crisp text at 8x6x85hz.

the ap line (only 1 one a 15") dosn't even bug me... it's only visible on pure white backgrounds... it's aprox 3/4th down the screen. just a very faint grey line.

heck, i'd only get a new monitter should this one ever break down... (will it ever? :) ) or if i get the funds to go for a Sony 21" & providing i build a 2nd machine OR find a GOOD home for this current one :) (translation: i don't wanna give this one up, i'm Very partial to it!)

there's my nickel's worth...
 
I can attest to Sony's prowess in the field of monitors :), the only monitors in this house are a Multiscan 15sf, Multiscan 17sf, a Sony CPD 100es, and both my sisters have CPD 100es monitors. Sony makes possibly the best AG monitor on the market, as for shadow mask monitors, great for CAD...but for games it's almost like crippling the Radeon or Matrox G400 in image quality (don't get me started with the GeForce and shadow mask @ 1600x1200). But for higher end monitors on a budget, you can pick up some refurbished high end monitors for really cheap (being refurbished they just get sent rebuilt to the manufacturers standards so they basically get a whole new tube, or the current one repaired up to a new monitor standard). The one I'm on is a refurbished the 17sf, and I've had it for a good 2 years and never had a problem, and I have it on for bout 14 hours out of the day on avg.
 
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