What is the difference between shadow-mask and aperture-grille monitors?
Shadow-mask monitors are sometimes called dot trio monitors because their design uses phosphor dots arranged in red, green and blue triangles. The shadow-mask name derives from the phosphor dots being separated by a metal mask. Aperture-grille monitors, such as Sony Trinitron and Mitsubishi Diamondtron, use a phosphor coating of alternating red, green and blue vertical stripes instead of triangle dots. Aperture-grille is a more complicated technology and requires 1, 2 or 3 wires be horizontally imbedded in the monitor to act as image stabilizing reference points. Proponents of aperture-grille monitors prefer their brighter colors while detractors point out that the horizontal stabilizing wires are noticeable. In general, shadow-mask monitors are more price-competitive, provide good focus and use a nearly flat surface which reduces distortion. Aperture-grille monitors are less heat sensitive which allows for higher color purity, brighter due to increased phosphor surface and use darker
