LCD Longevity

[Digitalwave]

Since my computer equipment generally lasts me until the stuff is considered stone age, I want to know if there are any particular procedures to making an LCD last its longest.

Right now I have it set to go to power save mode after 20 minutes. Is it better to just leave it on with a screen saver, to shut it off completely, or does it not really matter?

[nando]

a screensaver won't do anything for an LCD, it's not possble to get burn in (unlike a plasma or projector screen). you could end up with dead pixels, although you'd usually have those right away or none at all. otherwise the only part that is likely to fail is the backlight, but you can buy replacements for those pretty cheap.

I wouldn't really worry about it, it's likely that it will last longer than you will want to keep it, and they are getting cheaper/better all the time. I set my monitors to a screensaver after 15 minutes and to shut down after 30, mainly to save electricity.

[Digitalwave]

I kinda figured that Chris. With the new technology of LCD's I figured most of the problems with CRT's and such were gone. Electricity doesn't matter much to me either, since I live in an on campus apartment and all utilities are included.

Thanks for confirming my suspicions.

[Jand3rson]

I juse bought a new 19" CRT. Friends of mine have LCD's, and frankly, I don't know how anyone can stand them, CRT's seem so much clearer to me.

[325Projectz]

High quality LCDs or none at all. Don't waste money on cheap shit.

[Digitalwave]

I got a pretty good Sony for dirt cheap from a friend that decided he didn't want it after a month. Beat my 6 year old CRT.

[nickmp0wer]

why not just set it to go off after a few minutes?

[e30Matt]

I juse bought a new 19" CRT. Friends of mine have LCD's, and frankly, I don't know how anyone can stand them, CRT's seem so much clearer to me.

LCDs are easier on the eyes for text/imaging stuff... I find myself lasting much longer without getting a headache when I work on my laptop typing a paper or working on images.

CRTs are no doubt better for things like gaming and video editing, though, due to their extremely quick refresh rates/response times. My LCD is locked at 60Hz, but my desktop's monitor (NEC AccuSync 95F) is set at 100Hz right now.

[Tvan]

I'm actually trying to off my Samsung 17" to someone at the moment, gotta get the bank together for a Dell 20" widescreen.

[e30Matt]

Apple Cinema Display ftw... one of my friends just got one, that thing kicks major ass.

[James Crivellone]

Apple Cinema Display ftw... one of my friends just got one, that thing kicks major ass.

Decent, yet overpriced displays.

The new dell LCD's use an updated panel, and seeing as apple and everybody else buy them from the same people (Albeit Samsung, LG, etc) you can usually get a better deal by getting another brand lcd.

[James Crivellone]

I kinda figured that Chris. With the new technology of LCD's I figured most of the problems with CRT's and such were gone. Electricity doesn't matter much to me either, since I live in an on campus apartment and all utilities are included.

Thanks for confirming my suspicions.

Only issues with LCD's are

Backlight MTBF (Usually quite a few years, even if on for a very long time)
Whites turning yellow, the longer an LCD is on, the whites will become more and more yellowish.

That being said, my 3 year old 18.1 Mitsu/NEC LCD that I use as my 2nd monitor is still looking great.

[///Matt]

make sure and look at the refresh rate on LCD's anything more than 8-12ms is not very good. 8 is pretty much standard now

[Ryan Stewart]

Ive rocked a 5 year old lappy. It makes funny colors when you push on the screen but otherwise is fine.

[Jon325i]

High quality LCDs or none at all. Don't waste money on cheap shit.

I agree. The visual interface is the last place to cut corners...even on a "so-so" system. If you're gonna spend countless hours staring at the thing, better make it a good one.

Jon