The present invention relates to a method of detecting X-rays for obtaining improved radiographic images including a step of orienting a semiconductor radiation detector whose height is greater than its thickness. This is achieved by venting the reference nozzle in very close proximity to the measurement nozzle. The central ring electrode can be positioned downstream of the first outer ring electrode. The video data can be processed in accordance with ancillary data to adjust the visual characteristics, which can include filtering the images, blending images, andor other processing operations.