CRT vs. flat screen

[123456789]

Well, I just started a course in web design at a technical school nearby. It's something I've wanted to do for quite some time now, and I think it'll be quite a bit of fun. I'm three days into a ten month course (incl. a two month internship) and I'm starting to learn to do things the 'professional' way - read efficiently and fast, but I digress.
The thing is that the screen I have at home is a CRT and the one at school is a flat screen. What a HUGE difference. For one, the image on the flat screen changes depending on the viewing angle. For two, the brightness, colour, contrast, etc... is not just different, it's bizarre. I'm sure I'll get used to it but I'm also sure I don't think it is as good. To compare, I looked at my old PA contest entries and if they would have looked like that at home, I never would have entered most of them (especially this last Hallowe'en one.) The noise I added was accentuated beyond subtlety and the lighting was completely different. I'm not trying to find excuses, I'm trying to figure out which is more accurate. I find the flat screen much brighter (lighter) and I can't get the image to match the look of my monitor at home.
Am I a dinosaur, am I alone, am I imagining things (the neons in the class are much brighter than my ambient lighting at home,) or are there others who see what I mean? I'd like to know what you all think of CRT vs. flat screen.

[graphixgeek]

Newer flat screens have wider viewing angles. Personally, I like the more "vivid" colors of a flat screen. I realize that this is due to the backlighting being in close proximity to the surface, but it does make it nicer. As for accuracy, they make special monitors and calibration tools to make sure the colors are accurate. So I really can't say which would be more accurate between a standard CRT and LCD flat screen. I just prefer the flat screen...

[Scott]

Most newer LCDs are comparable to CRTS. However, older LCDs were terrible. Calibration has a lot to with it as well. I only have LCDs now and everything is good. :)

[burndog]

I'm with Scott on this one, I use an old Dell LCD at work...it is tack sharp and great for vector graphics, but it absolutely sucks for raster graphics. It is so contrasty and can not really be calibrated properly, no matter what the highlights get blown out and the shadows get plugged up. I hate seeing my images on that one.

The newer ones have to be better or everyone would be back using CRTs. I am no expert in monitors, but I do believe that if you are on a budget that for the same money you will get a better CRT than LCD. Of course you get what you pay for.

[123456789]

Great input here, thanks.
Are there any good sites which one can calibrate at or does it need to be done with a machine at home?

[Scott]

Calibration really has to be done in your environment. You can check the tutorial here (there is a tutorial isn't there?) and it will get you sort of close. But overall calibration is determined a lot by the ambient light in your room. Without a calibration device like a Huey or Spyder you'll just have to "best guess" by eye. I'm really not certain how to calibrate a PC or I'd help more :)

[123456789]

I know you would, Scott. You help a lot. As a matter of fact, if you tallied up the hours you spend typing advice, I'm sure it would equate to a part-time job (not to mention the other sites you frequent.) And what excellent advice it always is.
So, instead of just saying 'Thx', and since we'll prolly never meet, let me raise a glass to you and say thank you for taking the time. Most people with your skill set never would.
:)

[123456789]

I brought up the issue in class and my prof said he'd get me a new monitor!! Cooool!
He also said that we'd be doing a short segment in class about calibration so maybe I could write a tut and include whatever tables or graphs we get for our use. I'd obviously get his permission first since he has a copyright on all his class material. If he agrees, I'd be more than happy to, if that would be O.K.

[123456789]

I'm gonna keep my CRT and I'll cut a hole in the wall behind my desk if need be. I've come to the conclusion (after much painstaking research) that LCDs suck - well the ones I can afford do. So if I can find a top of the line CRT in a garage sale, that'll be my next monitor.