Picture tube screen device having waiting state function

A picture tube screen device having an operating state and a waiting state and having a picture tube having a heater and a cathode, comprising:

• said picture tube, in the operating state of the picture tube screen device, receiving an original video signal that generates a first beam current with an original white image level, whose magnitude corresponds to a nominal value, in the picture tube and being connected to a predetermined filament voltage that generates an original filament current in the heater;
• switchable means for connecting said original video signal to the cathode of the picture tube and for producing said original filament current in the heater of the picture tube during the operating state of the picture tube screen device, and for disconnecting said original video signal from the cathode of the picture tube and removing said original filament current in the heater and connecting a further video signal to the cathode of the picture tube and for producing a further filament current in the heater of the picture tube during the waiting state of the picture tube screen device;
• and
• said further filament current being less than said original filament current and being greater than 75% of said original filament current, and said further video signal generating a second beam current that produces an image having a further white image level that is less than 10% of said original white image level.