To the list --
I have a SONY GDM-F500R -- the previous version of the CRT under
discussion. I originally had a SONY GDM-F500 (no "R") which failed. It
periodically made a snapping noise and blanked the image. I returned it to
SONY but their warranty repair did not fix the problem. I returned it
again, and they gave me a GDM-F500R which suffered trapezoidal distortion
that could not be adjusted out. I returned that unit which they replaced
with a satisfactory GDM-F500R. This unit has provided good service for
approximately six months.
These CRTs have a wonderfully sharp display, separate gain and bias
adjustments for the three guns, more than enough brightness for PhotoCal
calibration, great color stability, and I like the way they look too. I
only wish I had more faith in SONY reliability and service.
One more thing concerning resolution: an earlier version of my Matrox
driver offered what I thought the optimal resolution of 1152×864 pixels at
75 Hz. The latest versions of the Matrox driver provide an even more
optimal resolution of 1280×960 pixels at 85 Hz. This is much superior to
the more common 1280×1024 (also provided) since it matches the actual
aspect ratio of the monitor -- completely filling the display and not
distorting the image. The Matrox driver lets you set resolutions for the
GDM-F500R all the way up to 2048×1536, but I think this an entirely
unusable option.
I hope this is useful information.
-- Victor Landweber
At 04:59 PM 1/17/2002 -0500, you wrote:
>On 1/17/02 9:26 AM, Dave King <kingphoto@mindspring.com>, wrote:
>
> >I'm assuming you researched the CRT situation before buying the Sony
> >GMD-F520. Do you know if it has individually adjustable guns?
>
>Yes. Individually adjustable gain and bias for each gun.
>
> >Is it a good performance/price ratio?
>
>No. I suspect it is overpriced relative to comparable products from
>other vendors. We bought our GDM-F520 as part of a large order including
>other equipment, so our vendor was able to knock the price down some.
>But if you want a big tube and price is an issue, look at the Mitsubishi
>Diamond Pro 2060U (or whatever the current equivalent is). When I was
>searching the web for recommendations, I found several favorable comments
>about that model and its predecessor, the 2040. You might also consider
>the Sony CPD-G520. In MacWorld's 2/2002 comparison review of monitors,
>they named the GDM-F520 as the best performing 21" CRT, but the CPD-G520
>was judged the best value. Note, however, that they did not include any
>Mitsu in the comparisons for that group.
>
>There are certainly other excellent CRTs, and if you search the net, you
>will find lots of opinions. When I was doing that, I encountered more
>reports of problems with Sony CRTs than some of the other brands. But
>it's hard to draw conclusions from anecdotal reports. Perhaps the
>frequency of bad reports on Sonys is partly due to the fact that they
>ship more branded monitors than the other companies.
>
>--
>Julian Vrieslander <mailto:julianv@mindspring.com>
>
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