Inconsistent Brightness Levels on CRT

[Skakruk]

I was messing around with Nvidia Display Optimizer when I noticed something fishy going on with my Philips Brilliance 202P4 (Diamondtron) CRT.

So I found a DVD with the THX calibration menu on it, and it seems that my monitor's brightness level is changing. Not the value number (eg. 1-100) - that stays the same, while the actual level of brightness appears to change.

I ran the THX DVD thing last night, and in the screen with the THX logo with the shadow behind it (where you are supposed to lower the brightness untill the shadow disappears), I had the brightness set to 30.

Today I ran it again, and I had to raise the brightness all the way to 55 before I could even see the THX logo.

And when I left it for a few hours and ran it again, I had to raise the brightness again to 70 to make the THX logo visible.

Each time the lighting in the room has been the same (blackout curtains), so what's going on? does my monitor need replacing?

[renzokuken]

I was going to say you probably need to do the calibration after waiting a half hour to let the monitor warm up first, but the fact that you had to increase the brightness further after a few hours of use rules this out. If this was the problem, you'd expect that you'd have to lower the brightness when you did the calibration those few hours later but clearly that's not the case. I'm sorry this post didn't help you. It's a strange problem indeed.

[Skakruk]

I was going to say you probably need to do the calibration after waiting a half hour to let the monitor warm up first, but the fact that you had to increase the brightness further after a few hours of use rules this out. If this was the problem, you'd expect that you'd have to lower the brightness when you did the calibration those few hours later but clearly that's not the case. I'm sorry this post didn't help you. It's a strange problem indeed.

OK, I just discovered the cause of the problem... sort of.

I think I may have turned off the monitors 'Auto Calibration' option between the first and second time I did the THX thing (as described above). To be honest, I have no idea what the Philips Auto Calibration does. Anyway, I turned it back on, but now the brightness much too high! I have the monitors setting at 0, and i can still clearly see the drop shadow behind the THX logo. So I still think there is something wrong with the monitor - turning off auto calibration only explains the difference between the first and second test I did yesterday, I don't know why the brightness was different in the third one... :confused:

[twilyth]

I don't know enough about the electronics to do a professional Dx, but I had an old Nanao monitor that had a similar problem - although in that case, there was noticeable flicker.

I would try checking the contacts on the vga connector - probably not an issue unless you unplug it regularly, have it on an extension or it gets a lot of strain.

If it really is the monitor, ventilating it with a spare 140mm fan might help - blowing up from the vent holes on top is probably the best approach.

[BenchZowner]

Sounds like it's service time for your monitor bud.
Had an old samsung syncmaster 21" crt with the same symptoms and it got even worse in a month.
My brain's memory function is f* up and I can't recall the technical details about this issue of the CRT monitors.

[Gilhooley]

It's time to Rejuvinate it. Good luck finding a shop that can do it for you ..
http://www.thevalvepage.com/teletech/crt_rej/crt_rej.htm

[twilyth]

I'm sorry if this is rude, but the only place you're going to find CRT techs is in a retirement home. OK, I'm exaggerating, but unless you're in a highly populated area, you'll probably have trouble finding anyone. Even if they say they're 'factory authorized', the odds are that they will just ship it back to the manufacturer and charge you a flat fee - and we all know the flat fee is based on the most expensive repair. :shakes:

Whatever you do though, please resist the temptation to take it apart. Even unplugged, there are caps in there that can and will kill you. :eek:

Aside from the economics though, is there still any good reason for having a CRT over say a good 120hz LCD? :shrug:

[Skakruk]

I'm sorry if this is rude, but the only place you're going to find CRT techs is in a retirement home. OK, I'm exaggerating, but unless you're in a highly populated area, you'll probably have trouble finding anyone. Even if they say they're 'factory authorized', the odds are that they will just ship it back to the manufacturer and charge you a flat fee - and we all know the flat fee is based on the most expensive repair. :shakes:

Yeah, I know. I'd probably be better just buying another Diamondtron/Trinitron.


Whatever you do though, please resist the temptation to take it apart. Even unplugged, there are caps in there that can and will kill you. :eek:

Hehe, I know what you mean. :)


Aside from the economics though, is there still any good reason for having a CRT over say a good 120hz LCD? :shrug:

A few reasons:

-When last I looked, 120Hz LCD monitors weren't even available.

-Assuming they are available now, I'm probably too poor to buy one at the moment. Prices are going up like you wouldn't beleive in my country (NZ).

-In fact, I'm too poor to buy anything other than a crappy TN panel at the moment, and even one of those is going to cost four times as much as another Diamondtron, which will have 20 times the PQ. I will admit that CRT's aren't getting any younger, and if I buy another one, it's probably not going to last long at all... So I really don't know what to do.

-Finally, Some of my favourite games dont support widescreen aspect ratios, and I'll be hard pressed to buy a new LCD that isn't widescreen.

So it looks like I'll have to get a small, cheap TN LCD, and dispense with all my CRT's so that I'm not tempted to compare them. That way I'll forget how :banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:e my new LCD looks and learn to be happy with it. ...That is, untill someone waves a Kuro under my nose. :D

Perhaps you could help me out with a recommendation (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=216775)...

[twilyth]

I don't much about the 120hz models. I see HDTV sets being advertised in the weekend circulars, so I guess higher res models are also available. :shrug:

In terms of recommendations, I like Samsung and you'll see a lot people saying the same thing. But they're not usually the cheapest brand. Sometimes you can get a deal on Chimei and a couple other decent brands that don't have any name recognition.

Just out of curiosity, how does it work if you bought the monitor from overseas. I assume customs would charge the same mark up unless the shipper lied about the declared value. Or is it more an issue of currency exchange rates?

[Skakruk]

I don't much about the 120hz models. I see HDTV sets being advertised in the weekend circulars, so I guess higher res models are also available. :shrug:

Ah, yes. There are plenty of 120hz LCD TV's out there, but 120hz monitors are only just in the process of being released.

There is the Viewsonic VX2265wm, and I think one other at the moment.


In terms of recommendations, I like Samsung and you'll see a lot people saying the same thing. But they're not usually the cheapest brand. Sometimes you can get a deal on Chimei and a couple other decent brands that don't have any name recognition.

I think I saw a Samsung that that matched my criteria while I was researching the E2200HD. I couldn't find any reviews on it so I gave up, but I'll try and find it again...


Just out of curiosity, how does it work if you bought the monitor from overseas. I assume customs would charge the same mark up unless the shipper lied about the declared value. Or is it more an issue of currency exchange rates?

Well, our dollars down at present, and even when it's strong it still costs the earth to ship to this miserable rock. An LCD isn't all that heavy though, so I might give it some thought. :)

[Skakruk]

How about the Viewsonic VX2260WM?

...or the LG W2261V

[RPGWiZaRD]

Ah, yes. There are plenty of 120hz LCD TV's out there, but 120hz monitors are only just in the process of being released.

There is the Viewsonic VX2265wm, and I think one other at the moment.


The other 120Hz LCD is Samsung 2233RZ FYI http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1387713 (FW900 24" CRT user's opinion on Samsung 120Hz LCD :))

It's a shame it's so hard to find trinitron/diamondtron CRTs in great condition anymore, and I'm too tired of hunting for one so I'm gonna buy one of these 120Hz when they become available here.

[Skakruk]

The other 120Hz LCD is Samsung 2233RZ FYI http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1387713 (FW900 24" CRT user's opinion on Samsung 120Hz LCD :))

Yeah, that's the one. :)


It's a shame it's so hard to find trinitron/diamondtron CRTs in great condition anymore...

Too right, mate. I've never managed to get my hands on a GDM-FW900, and now I guess I'm too late. :(

I'm tempted to wait for those 120Hz LCD's, but I really need a new monitor now.

Anyway, I've narrowed it down to these three:

Viewsonic VX2260WM

Asus VH226H

and Samsung 2253BW (which is a has neither HDMI or a native res of 1080p, so wouldn't be my first choice).

Anyone know about those panels?

[shiznit93]

Do yourself a huge favor and don't buy a regular 60hz LCD now that these are out, it's a gigantic leap in gaming quality. The VX2265wm is already listed at Buy.com but temporarily sold out and other e-tailers and provantage now says special order available.

[Skakruk]

Do yourself a huge favor and don't buy a regular 60hz LCD now that these are out, it's a gigantic leap in gaming quality. The VX2265wm is already listed at Buy.com but temporarily sold out and other e-tailers and provantage now says special order available.

I might just do that. :) I just bought another 19" Trinitron for next to nothing, so that will do me untill those new monitors are widely available.