LCD Monitor and screensaver

Hi All!
I got myself a new Dell LCD Monitor and I was wondering, do we still need screensaver?
I remember reading about that a while back and it said something to the effect that we do not need them anymore. Is that true? Or does that only apply to CRT monitors?
Thanks
Sven

 

You don't need a screen saver.

 

The problem (I hear) with those monitors is dead pixels. May want to research if there are any ways to avoid them.

Matt

 

For daily use of an LCD monitor, screensaver use is not needed as screen burn isn't a problem with liquid crystal. For a CRT screen, screen burn is also of little problem unless the monitor is left on 24/7 on a static screen. Even then it will take 1-2 years to notice ANY burn in. This can vary depending on the quality of the phosphor coating inside the front of the tube. Unless your intending to keep a monitor for many years then screen savers a useless.

With an LCD monitor, the problem is that these monitors have a backlit flourescent tube behind the liquid crystal display. Left on 24/7 this tube can loose its brightness (much the same as with an aging standard, or compact flourescent tube, so good practice is not to run the monitor 24/7 unless it is needed. Having said that we run a number of these LCD monitors at work 24/7 and they seem to go the 3+ years before they are replaced with little change in brightness. Using a "blank" screen saver on LCD monitors doesn't switch of the flourescent tube either.

 

Good info Paul.
Out of curiosity, do you have an opinion on the difference between an LCD and a CRT?

Matt

 

LCD requires no warm-up

With CRT, warm-up is slow, but with LCD, on is almost instantaneous. I just turn my LCD off when away for any length of time. My boss isn't looking to see what I've been doing when I get up for a break, so no need for scr-saver. She's playng on her own computer.

 

Thanks to all who answered.
I guess the thing to do is, turn it off when
not in use, but no screensaver needed.

Thanks again
Sven

 

Hi Matt,
I have to say I like a good quality (and there are variations ) LCD monitor over virtually any CTR monitor I've used. There seems to be less eye strain with prolonged use of an LCD monitor. Probably because low refresh rate problems associated with CRT's arn't a problem with LCD's. Also the sharpness is usually better than a CRT. Still a bit expensive so I haven't upgraded to an equivilent LCD at home. But I won't be buying another CRT monitor. They also use a lot less power to run, and then there's that question of radiation with CRT monitors. Granted it's not the problem it once was in the old "Green screen" days, but LCD is supposed to be better.

 

Interesting stuff! Any comments on using intensive graphics?

Matt

 

I believe that LCD monitors are not the favourite of many gamers because there is still the problem of the refresh speed of the liquid crystal properties. A bit like an LCD watch in cold weather, the display slows down. The technology is a LOT more advanced in LCD displays, and improving, but speed is still a little slow compared with CRTs. In a cold room on a newly turned on LCD the refresh rate will be a bit slow. I'm not an avid gamer so this is of little concern to me, but I can understand the objections of some high end gamers.