Different types of screens are used in medical imaging. The intensifying screen or a pair of screens is used with x-ray film in radiography. Fluorescent screens coated with phosphor crystals emit light when exposed to radiation.

(CR) Computed radiography is an imaging technique that uses similar equipment to conventional radiography except that films are replaced by imaging plates. An imaging plate contains photostimulable storage phosphors, which store the radiation level received at each point in local electron energies. The imaging plate is placed under the patient in the same way as conventional film cassettes. After x-ray exposure, the imaging plate is run through a special scanner to read out the image. The digital image can then be processed to optimize contrast, brightness, and zoom. Computed Radiography can be seen as halfway between film-based conventional technology and current direct digital radiography.

(DR) Digital radiography uses a special electronic x-ray detector, which converts the radiographic image into a digital picture for review on a computer monitor. The digital image is then stored and can be post processed by changing the magnification, orientation, brightness, and contrast. Digital radiography (also called direct radiography) is a progressive development of computed radiography (CR).
These advantages can lead to fewer 'recalls' (repeated x-ray images) including a lower radiation dose than analog or conventional radiography. DR and CR systems use no chemicals to process the x-ray images and the hazardous materials and waste associated with film development are eliminated.

Advantages of digital radiography compared with conventional radiography:

A cinefluorography produces a movie (cine) film from an image intensifier during x-rays examinations (often called videofluorography, cineradiography or cine). Cinefluorography is always monitored on the TV screen normally used for fluoroscopy. The image from the output screen of the image intensifier is split with a semi-transparent mirror into two output ports; one leading to the movie camera and the other to the fluoroscopy camera. Most of the light is directed to the cine camera. The image on the monitor does not suffer in quality due to the fact that the tube current for cinefluorography is about 100 times higher than for common fluoroscopy.
The x-ray generator pulses are synchronized with the movements of the cine camera, so that no x-rays are emitted when the film is moved forward to the next frame. The needed very accurate synchronization of the x-ray generator can be achieved by use of high voltage switching in the secondary circuit of the constant potential x-ray generator, by starting and stopping the inverter in a medium frequency generator or by using a grid controlled x-ray tube.

A film processor is a peripheral x-ray equipment used in conjunction with a camera to create hard-copy images. Film processors should be maintained at their optimum operating conditions by regular quality control procedures. Optimal film processing has important implications for the diagnostic quality of the image stored on film.