Richard began by outlining the main point of the evening, the technology now being introduced to replace the CRT (cathode ray tube).

First to be analysed is the relationship between the human eye and what it views; the aspect of viewer distance, screen size and resolution. The market is segmented regarding screen size to – kitchens, bedrooms, lounges of small houses and large houses.

Switching from CRT to flat screen viewing means that viewers are now buying larger screen than before, 37 x 40 is expected to be most popular over the next five years.

Other reasons to buy flat screens:- replay off HD cameras on the retail market; HD DVD players; HD resolution gaming, Xboxes, Playstations, etc.

Alternatives to CRT.
1. Rear Projection 2. Front Projection
Single or three chip technology, (single chip) cheap or higher cost (three chip) - equating to better quality.
There are Digital Light Projectors (Texas Instruments) mainly used as cinema projectors and office projectors.
Alternative = LCOS (JVC & Sony machines) a niche for high-end and e-cinema procuction.
Projector advantages = High end products which give accurate picture reproduction. Distadvantages = bulky & awkward.

Plasma Screens
Advantages = good viewing angle: good colour rendition.
Disadvantages = Burning. Motion rendition may be inadequate. Requires great bit depth in blacks.

LCD Screens
Advantages = Falling costs.
Disadvantages = Viewing angle. Colour and contrast characteristics. Poor grey scale and colorimetry. Gamma curve inaccurate near black. Motion rendition.

The future?
On the horizon are –
FED – Field Emission Displays SED – Surface-conduction electron-emission displays
Also = OLED – Organic light emitting diodes.
LEP – Light emiting polymers
TDEL – Thick film dielectronic electro-luminescent. There is a pilot manufacturing plant being constructed in Canada.

Richard made the point that CRT is not dead yet!

The LCD is dominant and increasingly used by the viewers. Its advantages
are:-

Huge resources in mass production
All screen sizes and resolutions available
Circuits are easier
Long life – backlight is the limit
No burn-in effect
“Always on” – no large area flicker
Relatively light weight.
Drawbacks –

Switching speed or smearing (more or less solved – fast enough for video)
Peak brightness is fixed
Blacks are stretched
Colorimetry
De-interlacing
Pre-processing/scaling/overscan
Motion portrayal
24 or 25p judder in LCD viewfinder.
Richard suggested that Plasmas are better and are fighting back.

Regarding Television Production, CRT is important in the production suite. Richard posed the question what is the new Grade One monitor? A problem here, at the moment there are:- Professional grade projectors. Best Plasmas. Perhaps LCD when they become Grade One. Watch out for SED.