john Posted October 18, 2007 Posted October 18, 2007 I wouldnt manage with widescreens in most classrooms, the extra few "'s of deskspace is a no go, 19" TFTs touch edge to edge in some areas already!
PEO Posted October 18, 2007 Posted October 18, 2007 I don't like the extra space they take up on our benches. Also we have problems with some software not understanding a 16:9 ratio. we've started buying 19" monitors instead. What software have you had trouble using with 16:9 ratio?
Geoff Posted October 18, 2007 Posted October 18, 2007 Some really old CAD software that Techology uses called 'ProDesktop'. Some assessment software used in the LRC called 'Accelerated Reader'. Additionally, really bad things happen with Sims.net if you switch the font DPI to 120 (required for larger resolution monitors).
mrforgetful Posted October 19, 2007 Posted October 19, 2007 ProDesktop is still being made Geoff! As for the topic, I like Widescreen's but wouldn't use them in school, also don't see a need for anything bigger than a 17" 4:3. At home I don't even want to get rid of my CRT it's so much nicer colours.
contink Posted October 19, 2007 Posted October 19, 2007 I have to say I hate widescreen monitors because I tend to work more in the vertical than the horizontal (less snickering in back!). Granted at home I finally splashed out on a widescreen 22" LG TFT and it's center stage between two 17" TFT's but given that I do a lot of webcode it's actually useful for stuff like dreamweaver, topstyle, photoshop, etc.. side menus. From a school point of view though it results in more scrolling, makes it harder for proper setting of the projector and screen to a common resolution on classroom machines... and more focused on primary school applications it's a total waste of time... it's dead space that just isn't utilised. ... ultimately though I come back to one point, WTF is the point? I mean widescreen is for displaying widescreen telly, not computer programs... unless you go up to 20"+ for resolutions of 1680 x 1050 the screen gets cramped and you have random space out to the side for random useless stuff like MSN or the Vista sidebar (which is just another outsize taskbar IMHO). So, I guess you could say I don't like 'em much
enjay Posted October 19, 2007 Posted October 19, 2007 I have to say I hate widescreen monitors because I tend to work more in the vertical than the horizontal (less snickering in back!). Now, you see I work the other way, with things side-by-side, so widescreen suits me. the Vista sidebar (which is just another outsize taskbar IMHO). I quite like my sidebar - clock, calendar, calculator and so on (although there is a whole lot of papp for the sidebar too!) - but have set it to be behind other apps, so if I want to maximise something or put two apps side-by-side, I can do so without losing any screen space.
torledo Posted October 19, 2007 Posted October 19, 2007 It appears the market is starting to be swamped with 17" widescreen TFT monitors. Standard 17" TFT screens are becoming a lot harder to get hold of for a reasonable price and the prices are still increasing meaning you get a much better deal on widescreens now. Rumour is that standard 17" will be killed off and only widescreen will be available in 17" Would you have widescreen monitors in your IT rooms / classrooms or are they a definite no no? Just curious to see your responses Thanks 4:3 17inch TFT's suck. 4:3 15 inch at 1024x768 or anything at 19inch or above is good..but 17inch ??? Widescreen's replacing 4:3 17inch TFT's cannot come soon enough in my view. BTW anyone used a notebook with 14.1 inch widescreen at 1440x900 resolution ? a la the thinkpad T61. If so, could you let me know about your experience with that screen.
mrforgetful Posted October 19, 2007 Posted October 19, 2007 I like 17" TFTs they're the best ones. Larger than that and you have to move your head to look around it! Still, space permitting I'd go for 17" CRTs any day.
webman Posted October 19, 2007 Posted October 19, 2007 We don't have any issues with 4:3 17" @ 1280x1024. We have loads of the Neovo E17-DA screens We also have a few of the old 15" Samsung Samtron 52v - really good monitors
torledo Posted October 19, 2007 Posted October 19, 2007 I like 17" TFTs they're the best ones. Larger than that and you have to move your head to look around it! Still, space permitting I'd go for 17" CRTs any day. the bigger the screen the better as far as i'm concerned. standard 17 inch is neither one thing nor the other - it doesn't have the compactness and excellent layout of a 15inch at XGA. And it doesn't have the size of a 19 or 20 inch screen to compensate for those shortcomings. I used a 19inch CRT for years and although initially i found it to be a big screen area after a while i found it to be less huge..so i have no problems with a 19inch 4:3. 20 inches is probably the limit for 4:3 TFT screens. At 21 to 24 inches you ideally should be going widescreen.
mrforgetful Posted October 19, 2007 Posted October 19, 2007 But a 19" CRT has about the same viewable area as a 17" TFT.
torledo Posted October 19, 2007 Posted October 19, 2007 We don't have any issues with 4:3 17" @ 1280x1024. We have loads of the Neovo E17-DA screens We also have a few of the old 15" Samsung Samtron 52v - really good monitors I'm not saying there are technical issues with 17inch. But from my personal viewing preference i don't like it. Just prefer 15 or 19 inch. We have a load of the NEOVO M-15V screens they are terrific. Looking to get a 19inch NEOVO P-19 for my office. Looks like a great monitor - does anyone have any experience of the new P-19's
torledo Posted October 19, 2007 Posted October 19, 2007 But a 19" CRT has about the same viewable area as a 17" TFT. Really ? I suppose you're right. But the viewing experience on my 19inch CRT was very different than on the 17inch TFT's we have. Plus I'm pretty sure the resolutions were different. The'd have to be wouldn't they if the viewable size is different ?
mrforgetful Posted October 19, 2007 Posted October 19, 2007 CRTs don't have the resolution limitations of TFTs you are correct. Like I said, I prefer CRTs for image quality.
PEO Posted October 19, 2007 Posted October 19, 2007 everything old is new again... you watch America will capture another alien and make it develope a super slim CRT for us all..... you remember this... it will happen in the next 20 years time.
enjay Posted October 19, 2007 Posted October 19, 2007 We don't have any issues with 4:3 17" @ 1280x1024. The only issue I had when I set ours to that size was people complaining the image was too small! Our 17"s run at 1024x768, but our 19"s are at 1280x1024.
enjay Posted October 19, 2007 Posted October 19, 2007 Like I said, I prefer CRTs for image quality. But if you have to look at it for a while, TFTs are much nicer. Plus you don't get issues with reflections on TFTs (unless you get one of the new gloss ones, of course).
dave.81 Posted October 23, 2007 Posted October 23, 2007 I'm working on 2x20" widescreens at work(1dell, 1 iiyama) and for spreadsheet work they are brilliant. All classrooms are a range of 15",17",19" TFT's although the 15" are being phased out slowly. I dont see a need for widescreens in the classrooms will be sticking with 19" on new pc's or replacements. I will be putting widescreens into the offices for the reason they use a lot of spreadsheets and the extra width comes in very useful. Just a thought but how many people though widescreen TV's were annoying and gave an odd picture when they first started coming around. Now people wouldn't do without them. Guess the same will be true for TFT's too.
Elky Posted October 23, 2007 Author Posted October 23, 2007 Just a thought but how many people though widescreen TV's were annoying and gave an odd picture when they first started coming around. Now people wouldn't do without them. Guess the same will be true for TFT's too. Very different IMO. You don't have to try and fit 30 TVs in to an IT suite with limited room. Ok if its in an office, on your desk at home, used foryour personal PC or whatever but its a completely different story when kitting out classrooms with them
Geoff Posted October 23, 2007 Posted October 23, 2007 everything old is new again... you watch America will capture another alien and make it develope a super slim CRT for us all..... you remember this... it will happen in the next 20 years time. Already happened btw. Sony is working on OLED based displays. They are only a few mm thick. Plus you can bend them and roll them up and it will not effect the display. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_light-emitting_diode#Technology_demos Your next TV might come in the form of wallpaper.
PeterW Posted December 14, 2007 Posted December 14, 2007 Just some follow up info from the Inq LCD sizes controlled by flat glass vendors
gshaw Posted December 20, 2007 Posted December 20, 2007 We've got 22" widescreens in our graphics room and also Student Work Area, only problem I get is with NetSupport when the tutor tries to show the class from the SmartBoard. The choice you get is either to cut the top and bottom off the image or have big black borders around the edges, not great options really Haven't bought a 17" TFT for about 1.5 years now, smallest we get is 19" as the price difference is tiny so might as well get the extra screen size!
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