Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

zubro · Mar 25, 2004, 02:34 AM

I still have a couple of Sony Trinitron "tubes" around me.
I want to upgrade to flat pannel but how long will they last?
I am a bit scared because I think that my iBook 800 12" looks burned out after 15 months!... :o/

angelmb · Mar 25, 2004, 04:58 AM

tooki gave me this advice in another topic:

"A CRT that is kept turned on (not dimmed, asleep, etc) for 8 hours a day will last about 3 years before getting too dim to use for graphics work.

In an LCD, the LCD panel itself won't wear out, but the backlight tubes can. It's hard to say how long they last, but if the tubes do fail out of warranty, it is possible to replace them (but it's not something a normal user can do -- you have to know electronics).

tooki"

the topic itself, here

The Placid Casual · Mar 25, 2004, 05:33 AM

My 17" LCD has lasted 2 years, but now I have intermittent backlight issues...

zubro · Mar 25, 2004, 05:36 AM

Originally posted by angelmb:
tooki gave me this advice in another topic:

"A CRT that is kept turned on (not dimmed, asleep, etc) for 8 hours a day will last about 3 years before getting too dim to use for graphics work.

In an LCD, the LCD panel itself won't wear out, but the backlight tubes can. It's hard to say how long they last, but if the tubes do fail out of warranty, it is possible to replace them (but it's not something a normal user can do -- you have to know electronics).

tooki"

the topic itself, here

Thanks for the info.
I was just lasy to search for it... ;o) (there are some days like that..)

sworthy · Mar 25, 2004, 09:13 AM

Originally posted by angelmb:
tooki gave me this advice in another topic:

"A CRT that is kept turned on (not dimmed, asleep, etc) for 8 hours a day will last about 3 years before getting too dim to use for graphics work.

In an LCD, the LCD panel itself won't wear out, but the backlight tubes can. It's hard to say how long they last, but if the tubes do fail out of warranty, it is possible to replace them (but it's not something a normal user can do -- you have to know electronics).

tooki"

the topic itself, here

I'm no expert, but from what I hear replacing the backlight is usually somewhat difficult and VERY expensive. So expensive that you'd be better off buying a new lcd in 4 or 5 years when that happens.

sandsl · Mar 25, 2004, 10:15 AM

Probably about 3-5 years depending on use.

angelmb · Mar 25, 2004, 02:47 PM

OK, actually I have no idea what would be better to get:

e.g. LaCie TFT or LaCie CRT

My Apple 17" CRT B&W looks as new after 5 years, but, you know, when I am in front of my 17" PB with that gorgeous screen... mmm, decisions...

angelmb · Mar 27, 2004, 05:49 AM

Originally posted by sworthy:
I'm no expert, but from what I hear replacing the backlight is usually somewhat difficult and VERY expensive. So expensive that you'd be better off buying a new lcd in 4 or 5 years when that happens.

if it goes so expensive, therefore you must get a display that offers 5 years warranty, are there any out there?

angelmb · Mar 28, 2004, 03:00 PM

I found it:

Eizo: has Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X software, ADC via DVI support, and 5 year warranty for the CG21 and CG19 models, conditions:

- the product shall be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of five years, but subject to the usage time being 30,000 hours* or less from the date of purchase.

- the warranty period for the LCD panel and backlight is limited to three years from the date of purchase.

* 30,000 hours spread across five years allows for over sixteen hours of use a day (16 x 365 x 5 = 30,000).

Do not know about $, since the web seems aimed to the States only.

mindwaves · Apr 3, 2004, 09:36 AM

My Apple 17'' LCD just went out. Roughly 2 yrs of use. Ugh, I think Ill have a look at some Formac displays now...

MOTHERWELL · Apr 3, 2004, 10:03 AM

I purchased the 'original' Cinema Display (22", DVI connection) a little over 4 years ago and I still use it everyday. It is dimmer than my new powerbooks display, but that is not a problem for me.

I plan on getting a new Apple display if they come out with something worthy, like a 30" display.

iDaver · Apr 3, 2004, 01:17 PM

Originally posted by MOTHERWELL:

I plan on getting a new Apple display if they come out with something worthy, like a 30" display.

Will DVI support enough pixels for a 30" display? I've heard this rumor/suggestion before but I don't think it's possible.

My 17" Apple Studio TFT display that I just sold was almost three years old and seemed just as bright as the day I bought it. It was used for about eight hours a day, five days a week.

Spheric Harlot · Apr 3, 2004, 07:13 PM

Originally posted by angelmb:
I found it:

Eizo: has [...] 5 year warranty for the CG21 and CG19 models, conditions:

[...]

- the warranty period for the LCD panel and backlight is limited to three years from the date of purchase.[/B]

Link · Apr 3, 2004, 07:42 PM

IIRC, the cinema display has 4 backlight tubes

Um random fact, anyway backlight tubes are supposed to last ~10-15,000 hours before they go dim, and they usually last around 18-25,000 hours before going out (it REALLY depends on the bulbs).

If you're handy with a solder gun, you can replace the CCFLs that backlight the display, and some places do have such things known as "backlight tune-ups" where they also replace the deflector film (I think)...

Anyway the process of replacing the backlight can be as hard as pulling the entire display apart BUT as easy as simply sliding a very thin tube out of it's spot.

Spheric Harlot · Apr 3, 2004, 08:19 PM

Originally posted by Link:
Anyway the process of replacing the backlight can be as hard as pulling the entire display apart BUT as easy as simply sliding a very thin tube out of it's spot.

Interesting.

So what is it on Apple displays vs. others?

-s*

The Placid Casual · Apr 4, 2004, 05:09 AM

Originally posted by mindwaves:
My Apple 17'' LCD just went out. Roughly 2 yrs of use. Ugh, I think Ill have a look at some Formac displays now...

I'm thinking the same thing...

Although I found that my issues related to sleep, and specifically waking from sleep. I have changed the setting so that the screen never shuts off, and it looks like I may get a bit more time out of it after all...

Still, 2 years to me is not so good.

angelmb · Apr 4, 2004, 01:03 PM

Originally posted by The Placid Casual:
I'm thinking the same thing...
(...)
Still, 2 years to me is not so good.

For sure!, 2 years is nothing talking about a display!, I think I am going to a very good crt display. What about Sony displays? e.g. gdm-f520(21") and gdm-fw900(24").

Link · Apr 4, 2004, 04:28 PM

I'd be worried if after blowing all that money on a monitor it only lasted 2 years. I guess I'll let you know when this ACD hits 2 (I got it about a year ago).

AFAIK It was new when it was made (contrary to what most people would say.. cool I guess) so yeah

mindwaves · 01:19 AM

Well, I took apart my 17'' LCD (purchased Nov 2002) and I am pretty sure that the inverter had died. The fluorescent tubes appear to be fine AND there was no light in the LCD at all so I think that it should be the inverter. Any links to the inverter and approximately what cost? Also, just in case the bulbs are faulty, where can I find a replacement for them? Thanks a lot.

angelmb · Apr 5, 2004, 01:23 PM

Originally posted by mindwaves:
Well, I took apart my 17'' LCD (purchased Nov 2002) and I am pretty sure that the inverter had died. The fluorescent tubes appear to be fine AND there was no light in the LCD at all so I think that it should be the inverter. Any links to the inverter and approximately what cost? Also, just in case the bulbs are faulty, where can I find a replacement for them? Thanks a lot.

I just found this:

http://www.monitor-profis.de/index.php?section=links

english user friendly here

Hope this helps.

Spheric Harlot · Apr 6, 2004, 10:45 AM

Originally posted by Link:
AFAIK It was new when it was made

Most things are.