Specifications

Elo TouchSystems (800) ELO-TOUCH or [phone] • Fax [phone] • www.elotouch.com
LCD or CRT
Which Display Type Is Right for Your Application?
Once you’ve decided to enhance your application with touch and have
selected a touch technology—resistive, surface-wave, or infrared—you
should compare characteristics of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and
cathode ray tubes (CRTs) to determine which display type best suits your
application and environment.
Comparing display types based on the following criteria can help you
make the best choice for your application.
Display Life
All displays slowly decline in performance from their new condition by
gradually losing brightness. This decline is measured as the period of
time required for the display to drop to 50 percent of its original bright-
ness. Displays in touch applications often operate around the clock
because many are in public-access settings.
• LCDs—The average expected life of an LCD backlight is 25,000 to
30,000 hours. This represents three to four years of use for a dis-
play operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The backlight of
an LCD can often be replaced economically, prolonging the life of
the display.
• CRTs—The average expected life of a CRT is 12,000 to 15,000
hours. This represents one and a half to two years of use for a
display operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is rarely
economical to replace the tube within a CRT.
Footprint, Appearance, and Weight
With its flat screen and slim footprint, an LCD takes up less space than a
CRT. In fact, a 15-inch LCD monitor fits into about 40 percent of the space
occupied by a 17-inch CRT, yet has approximately the same viewable
area. In addition, LCDs can be mounted on a wall to save desktop space
and can fit into smaller available spaces inside industrial equipment. Saving space can translate into increased revenue—you
can use the extra space for more merchandise in a retail setting, more employees in an office, or more vital equipment in a
workshop or factory.
The futuristic look of LCDs increases their appeal for customers who want to associate their company or application with
leading-edge technology.
In addition, LCDs weigh much less than comparable CRTs, which can be a consideration for displays mounted on mechanical
arms in settings such as hospitals, or when shipping kiosks that use LCDs.
Advantages of the CRT
• Low purchase price
• Right choice for ultra-high-resolution
applications
• Greater viewing angle allows multiple
viewers from different angles
• Better for display of full-motion video
26