A digital radiography ( 20 ) detector has a first housing ( 18 ) having substantially the form factor of a film cassette and having a chest wall edge (C). The first housing ( 18 ) has an X-ray converter ( 70 ) with a detection array ( 26 ), each detector generating a signal according to an amount of radiation received. Readout electronics ( 74 ) are coupled with switching elements in the detection array for obtaining the signals therefrom. The readout electronics ( 74 ) include elements formed from crystalline silicon and are distributed toward outer edges of the first housing ( 18 ) and away from the chest wall edge (C). X-ray shielding selectively protects the readout electronics ( 74 ) and is located beneath a portion of the detection array. A second housing ( 40 ), electrically connected to the first housing ( 18 ) has a power source for the detector, readout and control electronics for obtaining signals provided from the detection array ( 26 ).
