How does the raster scan frequency affect the accuracy of a CRT TV picture?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the impact of raster scan frequency on the accuracy of CRT TV pictures, exploring concepts related to electron beam illumination, interlaced scanning, and the effects of accelerating voltage on image quality. Participants examine the technical details of how CRTs operate, including the width of scan lines and the implications for picture resolution and brightness.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants wonder about the average thickness of CRT raster scan lines in terms of pixels illuminated, questioning whether the electron beam illuminated a single pixel width or multiple pixel widths.
  • One participant suggests that if multiple pixels are illuminated, the brightness would depend on the beam width rather than the input signal, potentially degrading resolution.
  • Another participant confirms that the electron beam illuminates only one color pixel width in a scan line for color CRTs, while noting the use of interlaced scanning to avoid issues with overlapping scans.
  • There are discussions about the necessity of interlaced scanning to reduce flicker and manage bandwidth, with some participants emphasizing its role in improving picture detail and reducing the cost of electronics.
  • Concerns are raised regarding how changes in cathode-anode high voltage could affect picture accuracy, particularly in relation to electron speed and timing.
  • Some participants mention the historical context of CRT technology and the challenges faced in achieving suitable picture quality with progressive scanning.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of raster scan frequency and interlaced scanning, with no consensus reached on the specifics of electron beam behavior or the best practices for CRT operation.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include unresolved questions about the exact relationship between accelerating voltage and electron speed, as well as the technical details of how interlaced scanning affects picture quality.

  • #31
artis said:
I couldn't find any information on this but I do wonder, what was the average CRT raster scan line thickness in terms of pixels illuminated in each full scan from left to right?
Did the electron beam illuminate a line that is just a single pixel width on each pass or did it hit multiple pixel width as it passed along the screen?

My own guess would be that those were multiple pixels widths on each scan line because if we take interlaced picture as an example at 50hz frequency then there were 25 odd and 25 even lines drawn on the screen each second, but the way I see it I can't imagine that if each line was a single pixel width it would be capable of covering the whole screen area.Oh and while I am at it, I'm sure someone here like @sophiecentaur or others could answer this one also.
So the raster scan frequency of 15..something Khz was chosen to be in correlation to the vertical refresh rate frequency because in order to draw an accurate picture the electron tube's 3 individual color gun grid's need to change their potential so that within each scan line brighter pixels get more electrons while darker ones get less, so I suppose the color gun accelerating electrodes were directly driven by the video signal circuitry but in order for this to make an accurate picture the raster scan had to be fixed rather precisely in order for the beam to match each pixel in the required intensity, so far correct?

If this is correct then how did the CRT cathode-anode high voltage effect this picture accuracy?
From what I have experienced myself and seen is that increasing or decreasing this main accelerating voltage makes the whole screen and picture brighter or darker but doesn't the accelerating potential also change the speed of the electrons in the beam so that at the same raster scan frequency the electrons now would arrive at the screen mask and pixels later and hit the wrong pixels?
Or do minor changes in accelerating potential doesn't affect the electron speed in vacuum by much?
A monochrome TV screen is not made up of pixels, but is continuous.
 
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  • #32
@tech99 a black n white screen yes but i was referring to a color screen

I tried to find any field line presentations from a deflection yoke but can't find any.
It seems like each yoke had two coils that were similar to ordinary pole coils being straight for the longer part and oval at ends and then it has this toroidal shaped ferrite with a winding around it.
although it's rather hard to imagine what the fields were like.
 
  • #33
tech99 said:
The purpose of interlacing was to reduce flicker.
The main purpose / great advantage of interlace is that it improves Motion Portrayal. It would be easy enough to introduce some 'extra' flicker as with the rotating Maltese cross screen in movie projectors which does reduce flicker but doesn't eliminate the jerky motion. A 25/30 Hz picture rate causes very jerky motion portrayal. The 50/60 Hz field rate that interlace provides a significant improvement - it's almost the same effect as doubling the temporal sample rate in a very significant point in the spectrum of moving images. The downside is pretty minimal. Yes, the lines appear to creep down the screen but at 'Five times Picture Height' (the recommended viewing distance for 625 line TV) you can't actually spot that. None of that is relevant once you up convert in the receiver and provide motion interpolation.

tech99 said:
A monochrome TV screen is not made up of pixels, but is continuous.
Well . . . . . . It does have exactly the same vertical 'pixellation' that you get with a 2D sampled image. The continuous coverage of the monochrome phosphor is a different issue and Pixels are not inherently associated with phosphor dot spacing and sizes.
 
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