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CRT monitors use electron beams to create images on a screen, with color created by activating red, green, and blue phosphor dots. They were commonly used in the mid to late 1900s but have been largely replaced by flat panel displays due to their size, weight, and energy inefficiency. While CRTs can display images faster and with better color gamut and contrast than LCD screens, they also emit X-ray radiation and contain toxic materials. CRTs are no longer produced, but can still be found for sale secondhand.
A CRT (cathode ray tube) monitor is an analog display device that creates a viewable image on the screen by directing three beams of electrons at millions of phosphor dots to cause them to glow. In a color monitor, the screen is made up of numerous strips of alternating red, green, and blue phosphor dots, which are activated by electrons and combine to create countless different hues.
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 long length between the front screen and the back of the case is required to accommodate the length of the vacuum tube.
A brief history of CRT monitors
Cathode ray tubes were commonly used in televisions and computer monitors in the mid to late 1900s. Throughout that 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 boasted 16.8 million colors with a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels.
In the early 2000s, advances in technology made flat panel displays more affordable. These new types of displays (LCD, plasma and OLED) do not require a large casing and are more energy efficient. Manufacturing costs are lower than CRT monitors, and flat panel displays can be made larger than CRT monitors. These factors make flat panel displays much more popular with consumers.
Fun fact
German physicists Julius Plücker and Johann Wilhelm Hittorf first observed cathode rays in 1869.
The Braun tube was the first 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.
German manufacturer Telefunken started making CRT televisions in 1934.
LCD screens overtook CRTs in 2008.
Is a CRT monitor dangerous?
Depending on how old you are, you may remember your parents scolding you for sitting too close to the TV and claiming it would damage your eyes. However, these fears appear to be largely unfounded. There are some legitimate health and safety issues with CRT monitors, but none of them relate to standing too close to the screen adversely affecting vision.
A CRT monitor emits X-ray radiation, but it’s a small amount regulated by the FDA.
There is a significant amount of electrical charge stored in a CRT, even one that is turned off. Breaking a CRT monitor or attempting to disassemble it without proper tools and training can lead to serious electric shock.
Drilling through the vacuum tube will create an implosion that can spray glass shards everywhere.
CRT monitors contain toxic materials, including mercury, which can leak if the monitor breaks.
If you have a CRT monitor that you no longer want, it’s not safe to throw it in the trash. 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 these days than CRTs, the older technology is still superior in some ways. A CRT monitor can display/refresh an image faster than an LCD screen. This means that the monitor can respond faster to inputs and avoid motion blur problems common in LCD screens. Color gamut and contrast are often better on a CRT, and this type of monitor supports deeper black tones. For some computer gamers, these benefits are enough to justify searching the Internet for old CRT monitors.
Can you still buy CRT monitors?
If you want to see the benefits of a CRT monitor for yourself, get ready for some work. Since CRTs are no longer made, you won’t be able to buy one at your local big box store. You’ll likely be able to 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 shipping costs, and it’s important to make sure you choose a model that’s compatible with your computer or game console.
Will CRT monitors make a comeback?
When LCDs took over the market in the early 2000s, most companies drastically reduced production of CRTs to account for declining demand. Sony stopped making CRT monitors in 2005, and 2008 was the last year Samsung introduced any new CRT models. Despite the pleas of a small number of enthusiast gamers who prefer CRT screens to LCDs, the lack of adequate market demand will likely prevent any major company from restarting production anytime soon.
