Ergonomics Considerations of LCD versus CRT Displays

LCD_vs_CRT_AH.pdf (application/pdf Object)
Reasons you need a LCD monitor...other than I want one!

Ergonomics Considerations of LCD versus CRT Displays
Professor Alan Hedge
Dept. Design & Environmental Analysis, Cornell University.
Conventional computer systems have used cathode ray tube (CRT) technology for the
computer display. However, in the past decade technological advances in thin film
transistor (TFT) liquid crystal displays (LCDs) have made this an increasingly popular
technology. From an ergonomics perspective, which is best for the computer user? There
is confusion about the advantages and disadvantages of each display technology. Modern
LCDs can offer several advantages over CRTs in terms of visual work performance,
space and energy savings. This article will compare and contrast LCD and CRT display
technologies.
Do LCDs improve visual work performance?
Yes. Recent research studies have compared whether visual work performance is
superior for LCDs compared to CRTs for typical visual work. The significant benefits of
LCDs have been shown to be that:
• Visual search times for text targets embedded in a screen of text are 22% faster
for LCDs than CRTs, and also faster for low contrast, small characters. 1,2
• Eye fixation times are 9% shorter and 15% fewer eye fixations are needed to read
the same information from an LCD versus a CRT.1,2
• Visual search error frequency is 22% less when reading from an LCD than a
CRT.3
• LCDs have been shown to allow for greater postural variety during computer
work.4