A CRT (cathode ray tube) monitor is an analog display device that creates a visible image on the screen by directing three electron beams onto millions of phosphor dots to illuminate them. In a color monitor, the screen is made up of multiple bands of alternating dots of red, green, and blue phosphors, which are activated by electrons and combine to form innumerable different hues.
cathode ray tube monitor.
The electron beam repeatedly scans the entire front of the tube to “paint” and update the image nearly 100 times per second. Computer monitors and televisions that use CRT technology have large, heavy physical cases. The large length between the front screen and the back of the case is necessary to accommodate the length of the vacuum tube.
Old CRT monitor.
A Brief History of CRT Monitors
Cathode ray tubes were commonly used in televisions and computer monitors in the mid-20th century. During all this time, manufacturers have continually improved performance and resolution. Most computer monitors in the 1970s only displayed green text on a black screen. In 1990, IBM’s Extended Graphics Array (XGA) display featured 16.8 million colors with a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels.
Some gamers believe that the faster refresh rate and minimal motion blur of CRT monitors create a better gaming experience, especially for older titles with lower resolution graphics.
In the early 2000s, advances in technology made flat panel displays more affordable. These newer display types (LCD, Plasma and OLED) do not require a large case and are more energy efficient. Manufacturing costs are lower than CRT monitors, and flat panel monitors can be made in larger sizes than CRTs. These factors make flat panel displays much more popular with consumers.
CRT monitors have heavy and bulky physical cases and comparatively small screens.
Curiosities
German physicists Julius Plücker and Johann Wilhelm Hittorf first observed cathode rays in 1869.
The Braun tube was the oldest version of a CRT. It was invented by the German physicist Ferdinand Braun in 1897.
Japanese engineer Kenjiro Takayanagi demonstrated a CRT television in 1929.
The German manufacturer Telefunken started making CRT televisions in 1934.
LCD screens overtook CRTs in 2008.
Is a CRT monitor dangerous?
Depending on your age, you may remember your parents scolding you for sitting too close to the TV, claiming that doing so would damage your eyes. However, these fears seem largely unfounded. There are some legitimate health and safety concerns with CRT monitors, but none of them link sitting too close to the screen with negative effects on vision.
A CRT monitor emits X-ray radiation, but it is a small amount that is regulated by the FDA. There is a significant amount of electrical charge stored in a CRT even when it is turned off. Breaking a CRT monitor or attempting to take it apart without the proper tools and training can cause serious electrical shock. Puncturing the vacuum tube will create an implosion that can spray glass shards everywhere. CRT monitors contain toxic materials, including mercury, which can leak out if the monitor breaks.
If you have a CRT monitor that you no longer want, it’s not safe to throw it away. You should contact your local authorities for information on safe disposal methods and/or recycling options.
Is CRT better than LCD?
While flat-panel LCD and OLED TVs and monitors are more common today than CRTs, the older technology is still superior in some ways. A CRT monitor can display/update an image faster than an LCD screen. This means the monitor can respond faster to input and avoid motion blur issues that are common with LCD screens. Color gamut and contrast are typically better on a CRT, and this type of monitor supports deeper black tones. For some computer gamers, these advantages are enough to justify searching the Internet for old CRT monitors.
Can you still buy CRT monitors?
If you want to see for yourself the benefits of a CRT monitor, be prepared for a bit of work. Since CRTs are no longer being made, you won’t be able to get one at your local big box store. You can probably find a decent selection on eBay or through Craigslist or your local thrift store. CRT monitors can be expensive, especially if you have to pay for shipping, and it’s important to make sure you choose a model that is compatible with your computer or game console.
Will CRT monitors make a comeback?
When LCD screens took over the market in the early 2000s, most companies slashed their CRT manufacturing to make up for declining demand. Sony stopped making CRT monitors in 2005, and 2008 was the last year Samsung introduced new CRT models. Despite pleas from a small number of passionate gamers who prefer CRT displays to LCDs, the lack of adequate market demand is likely to prevent any major company from restarting production any time soon.
Flat-panel monitors are available in larger screen sizes than CRTs and don’t take up a lot of space from front to back.
