The Early Days: CRT TVs and Projectors
One of the earliest methods of creating a video game display was by using a cathode ray tube (CRT) television. These were large, bulky devices that were commonly used in homes and businesses at the time. By connecting a computer to a CRT TV, developers could create a simple video game display on a standard screen.
However, one of the major drawbacks of CRT TVs was their limited size and resolution. This made it difficult to create more complex games with detailed graphics. As such, many developers turned to projectors as an alternative.
One example of a company that specialized in creating video game displays using projectors was Amusement 2000. In the early 1980s, they developed a projector-based system called “Video Dome” that allowed for large-scale gaming events in public spaces. These events attracted thousands of people and helped to popularize video games as a form of entertainment.
The Rise of Monitors: LCD Screens and Beyond
As technology continued to advance, monitors became increasingly popular as a display medium for video games. In the 1980s and 1990s, liquid crystal displays (LCD) screens began to replace CRT TVs and projectors due to their smaller size, higher resolution, and lower power consumption.
One of the pioneers of LCD screen technology was Sharp Corporation, which introduced the first commercially available LCD display in 1972. In the 1980s, they developed a new type of LCD screen called “Super View” that was optimized for gaming. These screens offered higher refresh rates and lower lag times than traditional LCD displays, making them ideal for video game use.
Another important development in monitor technology was the introduction of flat-screen displays. In the early 1990s, companies like Samsung and Sony began to produce flat-screen monitors using a combination of LCD and plasma screens. These displays offered better image quality and were more space-efficient than traditional CRT monitors, making them popular among gamers.
Today’s Monitors: OLED and 4K Displays
The evolution of monitor technology has continued in recent years, with new advancements such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) and 4K displays. OLED screens offer better image quality and lower power consumption than traditional LCD screens, making them ideal for high-end
