Are Some VDT's Better Than Others -
Eye2Eye Examines The Latest Data On Video Display Terminals

Purchasing a new computer monitor (VDT) can be a complicated decision today. There are hundreds of models to choose from and each with its own rather cryptic specifications which can be difficult to understand. The good news is that VDT's are brighter, sharper, and produce less glare, distortions and potentially harmful electromagnetic radiation than ever before.

Larger monitors which were prohibitively expensive only a couple of years ago are now more affordable. Seventeen inch models are gaining more acceptance and appear to be the size of choice for business applications. Upgrading to a new VDT may also require a complementary upgrade to your existing graphics card in order to view color graphics more realistically.

Current applications that contain graphics require a bare minimum of 256 colors but may work more vibrantly with 65,536 colors or up to 16.7 million colors with higher resolutions. Newer units have improved anti-glare coatings which decrease visually annoying reflections from surrounding glare sources such as a window or bright lighting and improve your visual comfort.

VDT manufacturers provide a listing of specifications which is specific to each model. These specifications can be confusing, but are vitally important in deciding which VDT is best suited to your visual needs. Also, individuals who are concerned about the potentially harmful effects of electromagnetic radiation (ELF) should choose units with the strictest ELF standards.

Eye2Eye's Solution In Sight system includes a reference manual which will inform and educate in easy to understand terms about the important relationship between monitor performance and its impact on the human visual system. VDT specifications such as resolution, contrast, brightness, font size, flicker, and the effects of ELF will be explained. For your convenience, the manual also includes a tear out table which summarizes the minimum specifications recommended to optimize your visual comfort. This handy guide may be used when purchasing a new VDT.

As well, it is interesting to realize that any two monitors that come off the identical production line on the same day can have different image quality. Furthermore, identical monitors can be damaged by careless handling during shipment. This problem may affect the delicate placement of the electromagnets within the VDT causing degradation of picture quality. ¹

In addition to published specifications, your eye sight is capable of precisely analyzing a series of quality control image tests. This old fashioned technique should be the most important means of determining if your VDT purchase performs as adequately as the demo unit you liked in the computer store. The term "what you see is what you get" appropriately describes the subjective testing of monitor performance. Check the performance of any VDT is easy with the assistance of this subjective evaluation software. Press the download link below to perform a subjective monitor evaluation on your current VDT or future purchase.

1. M.D. Stone, "Picture Perfect", Computer Shopper, September 1996, ZDNET.

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