Flat-screen CRTs

[Guest]

I'm new to this group but had a question I thought someone might be able to answer.

I just purchased a Viewsonic p95f with my new computer system. It's my first flat-screen CRT and in general it seems to be a very good monitor. I love that it can do 1280x1024 at 100Hz refresh (my eyes definitely notice the difference between 85Hz and 100Hz) - that's one of the main reasons I bought it.

But I notice that the top-line of the viewable image (horizontal) sags very slightly in the middle. In other words, it's not a perfectly straight horizontal line. Viewsonic technical support says that's often a symptom of flat CRTs, but anything less than 1/8" is not considered defective.

The sag is noticeable to me, but definitely not as much as 1/8" inch. Perhaps it's just because I spent eight years looking at my old (not flat screen) CRT and was used to it (and it certainly wasn't a perfectly rectangular image either).

I've got a 30-day return privilege, but I'm not sure it's worth returning. Should I be expecting a perfectly horizontal top-line image (the bottom line does appear to be perfectly straight)? I'd appreciate any feedback from other flat-screen CRT users.

Thanks!

Pat

 

[GoSharks]

Your problem has little to do with how flat the screen is.

Controlling the side pincushion is relatively easy, this is why all monitors have side pincushion, trapezoid controls. Top and bottom geometric distortion is another matter. Top and bottom distortion is a function of the deflection yoke design and how it is mated and aligned to the CRT during assembly. There is no simple way to adjust top and bottom geometric distortion.

Jim Witkowski
Chief Hardware Engineer
Cornerstone / Monitorsdirect.com


<A HREF="http://www.monitorsdirect.com" target="_new">MonitorsDirect.com</A>

 

[reptilej]

so is it something that should be returned for? i have the same problem on my sony g420. i know what a lot of you will say: "it depends on how much it bothers you." well i can live with it but i did spend a premium price on this monitor, should i expect perfect straight lines?

and to you photopat, where did you get your p95f and how much was it? it was between the p95f and the g420 for me, i picked the g420 because there is a sony repair shop within driving distance so i wouldn't have to pay shipping charges if somehting went wrong. i am running my g420 at 1280x1024 and i must say, i am a bit disapointed in the lack of sharpness in the smaller text, but that may be due to my video card.

repeat after me, we are all individuals!

 

[Guest]

I used all the pincusion, trapezoid, etc. controls to adjust the sides of the screen to my liking - it's the top line edge that I'm referring to - and that is not adjustable. I guess it is just a matter of what I can accept. I just wasn't sure if there SHOULD be a perfectly straight horizontal top line, like there is a straight bottom line. Frankly, I'm not sure it's worth the hassle of exchanging via mail order, especially when I look back at the shape of the image on my previous monitor.

I'd appreciate it if anyone else had comments from their own experiences as I decide whether to worry about this or not.

I bought the monitor from Dell - it was a deal along with my system purchase. Their web price is rather high ($468) but they often have 10% off sales (they do right now), and free shipping to boot. So that makes it VERY attractive. Most other sites have it around $420-430, plus shipping.

I do like the monitor (again, I need the 100Hz at the 1280x1024 resolution). It seems sharp enough to me. But this is only the second monitor I've used in eight years (aside from my notebook LCD), so I don't have experience looking at others.

Pat

 

[Guest]

I have the EXACT same problem with my Samsung. I think it's just a 'normal' thing of flat monitors. Kind of sucks, but hey, what can you do? It's not like you make the monitor. LOL.

I also have some problems on the bottom right edge on mine and it's inset a little. The controls won't fix it because that puts everything else out of line to fix it.

My bottom left edge is slightly upraised, this was a symptom on my friend's Dell 17" monitor too so I'm not worried about that much anymore.

Everything else is pretty much good here.

But don't worry, u're not alone.

 

[reptilej]

i second that with my g420s.

repeat after me, we are all individuals!

 

[lhgpoobaa]

well u can always return it and try your luck on another...

but as its less than the maximum most if not all flatscreens will display some extent of 'sag'

the only way you could avoid this is see a number of monitors up and running, and pick the one you feel has the best attributes.

chances of that happening though are slim.
unless your really nice to your local store.

Morally destitute, Emotionally bankrupt but a proud and respected member of Toms Forums!

 

[Guest]

Thanks guys - I'm getting used to it now and I can live with it. My next problem is that I'm not so sure the focus is spot-on. Maybe it's my imagination, but it seemed better at first than it does now. Problem is I have bad eyes and I don't know if it's me or the monitor!

But that's another story...

Pat

 

[lhgpoobaa]

hire someone to look at your monitor...

im sure there are escort agencies out there that cater to "unusual requests" hehehe

Morally destitute, Emotionally bankrupt but a proud and respected member of Toms Forums!

 

[Guest]

I have noticed that some of the flat screen monitors have a slight curve on the vertical axis and therefore the top line will appear to sag if viewed from above. Does the top line still sag when viewed straight on (lower your head until you can't see the top of the monitor)?

 

[labdog]

its not an hardware pb but setting pb.
you have to correct it with OSD controls & OS controls.


if you know you don't know, the way could be more easy ...

 

[Guest]

I would say it sags a bit when viewed straight on. It is slight and I'm really starting to get used to it. It's just SO different from the one I looked at for 8 years (a Viewsonic 17 - remember when those cost $1300?) that it was troublesome at first. Everyone seems to agree that it's a fairly normal phenomenon as long as it's slight.

And to address comments from another poster - there are no monitor or OS settings to correct this particular part of the on-screen image. Just about every other aspect of the screen display, yes, but not this.