Need help picking out a TV for older systems

[scottw182]

For a while now I've been wanting to get a nice, large CRT tv to hook all of my older systems up to. I would prefer for it to have a flat screen, at least 1 composite, 1 component, and 1 s-video input (each) on the back, and for it to be 32-36". A headphone output would be a huge plus, but not mandatory I guess.

From some basic research I've been doing, I found the following:

SDTV = 480i (most TVs were SDTV for the longest time)
EDTV = 480p (noticeable improvement over SDTV)
HDTV = 1080i/1080p (these seem to be the most rare, especially 1080p)

Questions:

1) Are all flat-screen CRTs pretty much going to be EDTV or HDTV?

2) Which types of CRTs will light guns work on? I've heard of some people saying they don't work on flat-screen CRTs, while others say they have no problem. Does it just depend on each individual tv?

3) It's a common complaint that older video games systems look like crap on LCD/Plasma HDTVs. So, wouldn't they also look bad on a CRT HDTV? Or are they still ok because they're CRT and not LCD/Plasma?

4) Apparently, some companies such as LG, Phillips, and Samsung, also produced super-slim CRT HDTVs. Don't know much about those though. A couple I've seen on Craigslist appear to be widescreen. Anybody have any experience/feedback on these?

Most people seem to recommend the Sony Trinitron, which I'm also leading toward. If I can verify the light gun will work on the flat-screen Trinitrons, I'll probably be sold. Only problem is, there seems to be many different kinds of Trinitrons (I've seen several different ones on Craigslist). What are the better ones?

[Collector_Gaming]

personally if your like me and some of the other collectors in here

have 2 seperate tv's

1 for cable tv and for modern gaming (i figure sega saturn era and up) and for movie watching

1 for old gaming (sega cd and down)

On newer tv's yes old games look like complete crap. Sega Genesis and i am sure SNES is bareable but they still look better on older period correct tvs

I have my 42 inch plasma for the modern gaming and such

and i have a 30 y/o 19 inch JC Penny color tv (yes jc penny sold tvs back in the day!) for the older stuff

[nouserever]

My Friend has a samsung flat screen crt. its pretty good for nes or newer.and light guns dont work on flat screen crt's. my zapper wond work on my curved screen toshiba from 1999. its gonna be hard finding a light gun compatible tv thats a flat screen crt

[scottw182]

personally if your like me and some of the other collectors in here

have 2 seperate tv's

1 for cable tv and for modern gaming (i figure sega saturn era and up) and for movie watching

1 for old gaming (sega cd and down)

On newer tv's yes old games look like complete crap. Sega Genesis and i am sure SNES is bareable but they still look better on older period correct tvs

I have my 42 inch plasma for the modern gaming and such

and i have a 30 y/o 19 inch JC Penny color tv (yes jc penny sold tvs back in the day!) for the older stuff

Yeah, this is only going to be for my older stuff, I have a different TV for my newer game systems. Well, the 360, PS3, and Wii definitely go to that one. Still not sure if PS2 and Xbox look better on a CRT or LCD/Plasma.

[nouserever]

PS2 and xbox look horrible on lcd's and plasmas. i know from expirence

[scottw182]

PS2 and xbox look horrible on lcd's and plasmas. i know from expirence

That's what I thought I had heard in the past, but never tested it myself. They will be going on the CRT TV as well then. Only PS3, 360, and Wii will be on my Plasma.

[RP2A03]

I have heard conflicting information on the compatibility of flat tubes with light guns. Some insist that they work while others will insist that they don't. Personally, from what I understand of how light guns work, I see no reason why a flat tube would be a problem. The main thing for light gun compatibility is to make sure that it is a 480i 60HZ display. Also, stay away from ED and HD displays as these are not multiscan. Cheap bastards.

[scottw182]

Also, stay away from ED and HD displays as these are not multiscan. Cheap bastards.

I are confused :( What is multiscan?

This does, however, lead me into my next question. It's seems pretty agreed upon by most people that the older systems look like crap on LCD/Plasma HDTVs. Well how do they look on CRT HDTVs? My brother had the 40" Trinitron and while I can't re-call specifically, he seemed to always say the older systems didn't look good on it. Seems to me like the older systems would look better on either a SDTV or an EDTV.

[nebrazca78]

40" Mitsubishi SD CRT. This is the holy grail of TVs for classic gaming IMO. They are really hard to find and weigh about 250 lbs., usually a three-man TV. I have two Sony Wega HD CRTs, 32" widescreen and 36" 4:3 and all classic games look great on both of them. Master System and Genesis look good on my 50" Panasonic Viera plasma but most Saturn games look pretty rough, Dreamcast looks good but not great. Regular Xbox looks great on the plasma and of course 360 looks excellent. Personally I'd rather play anything prior to regular Xbox on a CRT.

.

[Trebuken]

I have an I'art HD CRT which upconverts in some manner and everything looks great on it. No light guns, but great.

I have another HD CRT that I got on clearance at Walmart, but is much less impressive.

HD CRT's are not all created equal...and are tough to find nowadays.

A standard CRT (I like 30" or more) is the most convenient way to go though. Salvation Army thrift stores tend to have oodles of them at decent prices.

This will all lead you to the XRGB discussion...I have not taked that dive yet...

[RP2A03]

I are confused :( What is multiscan?


A multiscan display is capable of adjusting to all frequencies within a certain range. This is necessary to display different resolutions without the need for scaling or deinterlacing. I know of no consumer grade ED or HD TV that will not upscale (and deinterlace if progressive scan) 480i material.

[nebrazca78]

Craigslist is also a great place to get old, big CRT TVs. Most people will damn near give them away just to get those monsters out of the house.

.

[VG_Maniac]

I think Sony Wega/Trinitron TVs are perfect for classic gaming.

http://di1-1.shoppingshadow.com/images/pi/33/a7/e4/22346005-260x260-0-0_Sony+KV+27FS120.jpg

Older games look great on it. I have one that's a 27 inch screen (which I feel is just right for me), but they are also available in 32 inch and 36 inch. I personally think these have the best picture quality you can get for a standard definition CRT.

[omp!]

^^^Agreed I have a 66cm widescreen trinitron for my older systems....

[Collector_Gaming]

Craigslist is also a great place to get old, big CRT TVs. Most people will damn near give them away just to get those monsters out of the house.

.

I've seen ads where people will pay you to take em away yourself cause they are so big and heavy!

[Zing]

1) Are all flat-screen CRTs pretty much going to be EDTV or HDTV?

2) Which types of CRTs will light guns work on? I've heard of some people saying they don't work on flat-screen CRTs, while others say they have no problem. Does it just depend on each individual tv?

3) It's a common complaint that older video games systems look like crap on LCD/Plasma HDTVs. So, wouldn't they also look bad on a CRT HDTV? Or are they still ok because they're CRT and not LCD/Plasma?

4) Apparently, some companies such as LG, Phillips, and Samsung, also produced super-slim CRT HDTVs. Don't know much about those though. A couple I've seen on Craigslist appear to be widescreen. Anybody have any experience/feedback on these?

Most people seem to recommend the Sony Trinitron, which I'm also leading toward. If I can verify the light gun will work on the flat-screen Trinitrons, I'll probably be sold. Only problem is, there seems to be many different kinds of Trinitrons (I've seen several different ones on Craigslist). What are the better ones?

1) All CRTs will either be 480i or 1080i. Anything labelled "HiScan" is also 1080i.

2) Light guns will work on any 480i CRT, regardless of screen shape. It isn't the shape that affects guns, it's the signal processing. Any HD or HiScan CRT will not work, due to the different signal timing.

3) HD CRT will look much better than an LCD, but not as well as an SD CRT. I can't say with complete confidence why. It may just be due to not having a fixed pixel display as in an LCD.

4) Avoid slim CRTs! They made huge sacrifices in geometry tolerance to get them slim. You will never be able to get them to look square. I repeat, avoid!

I also recommend the Sony Trinitrons. You want to get one with the FD Trinitron screen (totally flat). Avoid anything that is widescreen, as it will not be the SD 480i signal you need. Any HiScan or HD CRT is going to introduce display lag. Just find a few that interest you, and google for their specs.

You will have an extremely hard time finding a headphone jack. There are very few Sony models that have the jack.

Excellents models to look for are the xxFS100 or xxFS120 (where xx is the size in inches, e.g. 32FS100). The FV versions are also acceptable, but slightly older. All of these sets were produced in 2004-2005, so they won't be super old and worn out.

[TKO]

4) They made huge sacrifices in geometry tolerance to get them slim. You will never be able to get them to look square. I repeat, avoid!




Confirm this. The vertical line in slim TV will be a bit bend. It will never look strange like it should.

[scottw182]

Yeah, I'm looking on Craigslist and I've already seen tons of Trinitrons for cheap, just trying to decide on the best one now.


A multiscan display is capable of adjusting to all frequencies within a certain range. This is necessary to display different resolutions without the need for scaling or deinterlacing. I know of no consumer grade ED or HD TV that will not upscale (and deinterlace if progressive scan) 480i material.

So, when the 480i signal from older game systems gets upscaled/deinterlaced, that makes it look worse, right? Maybe that's the problem my brother had with his 40" Trinitron, and why the older game systems always looked bad on it. Can anybody verify that HD Sony Trinitrons do NOT have multiscan?

[CRTGAMER]

I think HD CRTs are the best choice for playing retro consoles as well as getting HD. The pic is clear with no dot crawl issues of a LCD. I can play NES at Composite 480i, N64 at SVideo 480i, PS2 at Component 480p or watch a 1080i HD channel all with a bright sharp lag free pic. Retro Lightguns will not work unless you have a non HD CRT. I wrote a guide on CRTs vs LCDs linked at my signature.

[Scott84]

I got a 34" Toshiba CRT HD... I love it. Its the last model they made which had the HDMI instead of DVI.

I play everything from Atari 2600 to Xbox 360 on this. Great tv.

[scottw182]

1) All CRTs will either be 480i or 1080i. Anything labelled "HiScan" is also 1080i.

2) Light guns will work on any 480i CRT, regardless of screen shape. It isn't the shape that affects guns, it's the signal processing. Any HD or HiScan CRT will not work, due to the different signal timing.

3) HD CRT will look much better than an LCD, but not as well as an SD CRT. I can't say with complete confidence why. It may just be due to not having a fixed pixel display as in an LCD.

4) Avoid slim CRTs! They made huge sacrifices in geometry tolerance to get them slim. You will never be able to get them to look square. I repeat, avoid!

I also recommend the Sony Trinitrons. You want to get one with the FD Trinitron screen (totally flat). Avoid anything that is widescreen, as it will not be the SD 480i signal you need. Any HiScan or HD CRT is going to introduce display lag. Just find a few that interest you, and google for their specs.

You will have an extremely hard time finding a headphone jack. There are very few Sony models that have the jack.

Excellents models to look for are the xxFS100 or xxFS120 (where xx is the size in inches, e.g. 32FS100). The FV versions are also acceptable, but slightly older. All of these sets were produced in 2004-2005, so they won't be super old and worn out.

THANK YOU! This is the kind of thorough information I've been looking for!

Ok, I'm definitely looking for a FD Trinitron then, non-slim, non-widescreen, non-HD.

I actually haven't had much luck looking up specs online, not sure why. Some models I can find detailed specs for, others, not so much.

5) Any idea what the difference is between the FS100 and the FS120 (I see there is also a 130, 200, and 320, for each screen size)? I actually know of a 32FS100 available right now, based on what I've learned so far, that may be perfect.

6) I would prefer a 36", just to have the largest available, but the weight is just ridiculous. Also, I'm not sure if it's true, but I've seen some people mention that the older games can actually start to look bad on such a large screen, what do you think about that? The only reason I really want such a large screen is for split-screen games, particularly ones on the N64, like Goldeneye and Mario Kart. Other than that, I wouldn't mind just going with a 27".

7) Any idea what the difference is in the TVs with model #s starting with KD and those starting with KV?

8) Is this a complete list of all the FD Trinitron models: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FD_Trinitron

9) Do I even really need a component input, since I'm going with a 480i tv? The only systems I'll be hooking up to this tv that could even potentially use component would be PS2, Xbox, and Gamecube. Looks like the 32FS100 has component anyway, but in case I'm not able to get that one, I'd like to know if I should even bother trying to get one with component.

[scottw182]

I think HD CRTs are the best choice for playing retro consoles as well as getting HD. The pic is clear with no dot crawl issues of a LCD. I can play NES at Composite 480i, N64 at SVideo 480i, PS2 at Component 480p or watch a 1080i HD channel all with a bright sharp lag free pic. Retro Lightguns will not work unless you have a non HD CRT. I wrote a guide on CRTs vs LCDs linked at my signature.

Do you think the classic games look as good on an HD CRT as they do on an SD CRT? It's not that I don't want the HD option, it would be nice at times I guess, but the main purpose of this tv is to hook up all of my older game systems and get the best picture possible for them.

[Zing]

5) Any idea what the difference is between the FS100 and the FS120 (I see there is also a 130, 200, and 320, for each screen size)? I actually know of a 32FS100 available right now, based on what I've learned so far, that may be perfect.

6) I would prefer a 36", just to have the largest available, but the weight is just ridiculous. Also, I'm not sure if it's true, but I've seen some people mention that the older games can actually start to look bad on such a large screen, what do you think about that? The only reason I really want such a large screen is for split-screen games, particularly ones on the N64, like Goldeneye and Mario Kart. Other than that, I wouldn't mind just going with a 27".

7) Any idea what the difference is in the TVs with model #s starting with KD and those starting with KV?

8) Is this a complete list of all the FD Trinitron models: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FD_Trinitron

9) Do I even really need a component input, since I'm going with a 480i tv? The only systems I'll be hooking up to this tv that could even potentially use component would be PS2, Xbox, and Gamecube. Looks like the 32FS100 has component anyway, but in case I'm not able to get that one, I'd like to know if I should even bother trying to get one with component.

5) I believe they are physically identical. They have the same inputs. I know of two features that differ between the two. The 120 has "SRS sound", which is circuitry to enhance the surround sound when you are using only two speakers. The 120 also has a 3D digital comb filter, while the 100 has only a digital 3-line filter. I don't know how much the image quality differs, but on paper, the 3D comb filter is the best possible.

6) It will strictly depend on your distance from the TV. I currently sit anywhere from 5-8 feet from my 32" and I never notice bad image quality. The other factor to consider is that larger tubes will potentially have worse geometry. It should be much easier to have accurate geometry on a 27" than a 36". The geometry on both of my 32" is not perfect even after hours of tweaking in the menus.

7) The KD models have a digital tuner. I am not sure if it is just a QAM tuner (cable only) or an over-the-air tuner (ATSC signals). A useless feature either way.

8) Looks reasonably complete to me.

9) Any Sony TV without component would be older than I would personally be comfortable with. Moving these big TVs around is not easy, so I would hate to buy an older TV that fails soon, or that has poor image quality due to overuse, then have to move it out and get a new one. I'd also hate to want component someday and have to "upgrade". I currently use my component for a DVD player. In the past, I used it for the Wii, and before that, the PS2.

[WesternNYCollector]

Saw a Sanyo flat screen CRT in the Salvation Army store today. 30-ish inches (I'm bad at guessing measurements), composite, component, s-video, and separate analog and digital coax inputs. Was fairly beat up, scuffs in random places there really shouldn't be scuffs on the exterior, dirt all over the bottom almost as if it had been in a barn or a really dusty garage, but manufacture date of 2006, so probably less than 5 years since sale.

Priced at $40, I considered it for a moment, turned it on, but had nothing to test the input with (at least Goodwill is nice enough to plug them all into a $20 DVD player). I probably would have taken the risk, but I noticed the on-screen displays wobbled up and down on the vertical. I've seen some TVs do that before when there's no input on that channel, but I wasn't really in a daring mood today.

Didn't remember the model number to write it down, so I can't look it up now to see if it was a good model or not. It's a good distance from where I live so I most likely by the time I get back up there it will be gone. Oh well.

Edit: After a whole lot of Googling, I managed to figure out which model it was, but it seems I'm probably better off with the really cheap or free options.

[scottw182]

5) I believe they are physically identical. They have the same inputs. I know of two features that differ between the two. The 120 has "SRS sound", which is circuitry to enhance the surround sound when you are using only two speakers. The 120 also has a 3D digital comb filter, while the 100 has only a digital 3-line filter. I don't know how much the image quality differs, but on paper, the 3D comb filter is the best possible.

6) It will strictly depend on your distance from the TV. I currently sit anywhere from 5-8 feet from my 32" and I never notice bad image quality. The other factor to consider is that larger tubes will potentially have worse geometry. It should be much easier to have accurate geometry on a 27" than a 36". The geometry on both of my 32" is not perfect even after hours of tweaking in the menus.

7) The KD models have a digital tuner. I am not sure if it is just a QAM tuner (cable only) or an over-the-air tuner (ATSC signals). A useless feature either way.

8) Looks reasonably complete to me.

9) Any Sony TV without component would be older than I would personally be comfortable with. Moving these big TVs around is not easy, so I would hate to buy an older TV that fails soon, or that has poor image quality due to overuse, then have to move it out and get a new one. I'd also hate to want component someday and have to "upgrade". I currently use my component for a DVD player. In the past, I used it for the Wii, and before that, the PS2.

5) I've settled on the FSxxx line, so I've been researching their specs a lot today. There's the FS100, FS200, FS120, FS320, plus the FS130 which is a KD model. It looks like the 100 and 200 came out first, then the other 3 came out the next year or so. The 100 and 200 have the crappier audio, while the 120 and 320 both have the SRS audio and something called BBE, whatever that is. The 100 actually has the fewest inputs, 1 component, 2 composite (1 front/1 back), and 1 s-video, while the 200 and 120 have 1 component, 3 composite (1 front/2 back) and 1 s-video, BUT the 130 has 2 component, 3 composite (1 front/2 back) and 1 s-video, and finally the 320 has the most with 2 component, 3 composite (1 front/2 back) and 2 s-video.

The only other difference is the comb filter, which you touched upon. It's weird though, I'm getting mixed information. I found old CNET reviews for each of these TVs with detailed specs, plus I downloaded the specification manuals from Sony's website. CNET says "3 line digital" for the 100, 200, and 120, but just says "digital" for the 130 and 320. Sony, however, says "3-line digital comb filter" for the 100 and 200, "3D digital comb filter" for the 120, and just "digital" for the 130 and 320. Since the 130 and 320 seem even more "higher-end" than the 120, I would assume they also have the 3D digital comb filter, since you say it's the best. What do you think about this?

6) I've definitely decided not to go with 36", don't want to deal with the weight anyway. I would be perfectly fine with 27" if not for split-screen games :( Gonna have to just make a decision on that soon though.

7) But isn't a digital tuner necessary for cable now? Or is it only needed for the "over-the-air" channels? Not a big deal, this is primarily going to be a gaming tv, but it wouldn't hurt to have.

9) Yeah, it makes sense to get one with component because it will be newer. I'm just wondering, will anything even BENEFIT from a component connection on a 480i tv? Take the GC, for example. It's 480i, and the component cables bump it up to 480p. The tvs I'm looking at don't even do 480p, so wouldn't it just look the same?

Thanks again!

[WesternNYCollector]

7) But isn't a digital tuner necessary for cable now? Or is it only needed for the "over-the-air" channels? Not a big deal, this is primarily going to be a gaming tv, but it wouldn't hurt to have.

In most places in the USA, cable companies are still offering analog cable signal on their basic plans. Enough people still have analog TVs, either their primary or in bedrooms and whatnot that there would be too much customer backlash if they were to discontinue it anytime soon. They may very well tire of providing this "extra" service in another 5-10 years though.

[Pete Rittwage]

I bought one of those large Trinitrons some years back and its a really nice display. The weight is no joke, though- it will kill you. You and 2-3 really good (and strong) friends will have to risk your lives if you even want to think about going up or down stairs.

I got it into my basement, but it will never get back up. I'll have to sell it with the house!

[BetaWolf47]

I can vouch for the heaviness of these things. A few months back, I got a 32" JVC TV that I took home with some trouble. It was heavy, but not intensely so. Today, I got a 36" Trinitron. Man, what a difference in weight. I can't even get it inside the house yet without help from the family.

I'm curious as to whether anyone knows what the model numbers mean though. There's the KV-36FS12, KV-36FS13, KV-36FS16, and KV-36FS17. What do those last two digits mean, exactly?

[Zing]

In general, the higher model numbers are just of a later production with some updated features. They could be years apart.

If you really want details, you'd have to hit up sonystyle.com and check the support area for the user manuals or marketing specification.

[Retromangia]

scottw, I was in the same boat as you a year ago. I did all this crazy research on LCD/CRT/ SD/ED crap... man can it be exhausting! =)

anyhow, it seems this thread is getting conflicting views from 2 veteran CRT folks...

Zing states the following:

"HD CRT will look much better than an LCD, but not as well as an SD CRT. I can't say with complete confidence why. It may just be due to not having a fixed pixel display as in an LCD."

and CRT Gamer follows up with this 180:

I think HD CRTs are the best choice for playing retro consoles as well as getting HD. The pic is clear with no dot crawl issues of a LCD. I can play NES at Composite 480i, N64 at SVideo 480i, PS2 at Component 480p or watch a 1080i HD channel all with a bright sharp lag free pic. Retro Lightguns will not work unless you have a non HD CRT. I wrote a guide on CRTs vs LCDs linked at my signature.


one says HD CRT for retro games, the other says SD TV.... so which one is it folks???... perhaps a 3rd part wants to chime in.

we all agree on one thing, Sony Trinitron is the ONLY way to go. It's just a matter of which model. Right now for my own gaming setup, I have a Sony 36"XBR200 (SDTV), and a Sony 34" HD Widescreen CRT. I think with this setup I have most bases covered. The only other TV i would consider buying is a Sony 4:3 HD-CRT. Very curious to see how the HD-CRT's would handle my retro systems.

[Shingetter]

we all agree on one thing, Sony Trinitron is the ONLY way to go.

I disagree, the 36in Sony Trinitron I had, brand new from the store was a huge piece of junk and wouldn't recommend one to anyone. The JVC I'Art I have has been a much better TV for me.

[RoryDropkick]

I've been pretty pleased with the 40' Trinitron XBR that I found at a goodwill in the past month. It has 2 sets of component inputs, 2 svideo/composite, and even a DVI-A port. I checked the total amount of inputs and it added up to roughly 7 O_O. Also included was a memory stick pro input which I haven't been able to test out.


Overall it does put out an excellent picture, only drawback is that on NES and SNES games the refresh is a bit odd, so there is some crawl during screen scrolling, but there's no lag. Overall it's been the best $25 I've spent on a 300lb tv ever. :)

[Zing]

one says HD CRT for retro games, the other says SD TV.... so which one is it folks???... perhaps a 3rd part wants to chime in.


The former is comparing HD CRT against LCD and the latter is comparing HD CRT against SD CRT. In fact, if you compare the statements you quoted, neither statement contradicts the other!

[Postermen]

Looks conflicting to me too.

Zing quote SD>HD>LCD

CRT Gamer HD>everything else (HD>SD or LCD

Maybe your quote of "HD CRT will look much better than an LCD, but not as well as an SD CRT" is worded wrong?

[scottw182]

His quote makes sense to me. SD CRT looks the best, then HD CRT, then LCD/Plasma.

[imanerd0011]

I agree with what everyone else has been saying. Your best bet for retro gaming would be a SD CRT.
The highest end one that Sony ever produced was the KV-32XBR200 or KV-36XBR200. They are they same set, but just different sizes.

I currently have all my systems hooked up to a KD-36XS955. It's a pretty nice set overall, but I think retro games (NES,SNES,N64) could possibly look a little better on a different set. It does have a great picture when displaying Gamecube or Wii.

[CRTGAMER]

Looks conflicting to me too.

Zing quote SD>HD>LCD

CRT Gamer HD>everything else (HD>SD or LCD

Maybe your quote of "HD CRT will look much better than an LCD, but not as well as an SD CRT" is worded wrong?
Don't let HD Connotation fool you
HD is a problem for Retro consoles if a LCD, LED or Plasma not CRT.

If I only have 480i consoles and want to have Lightgun support then I would choose SD, but HD CRT is the best way to go. The Sony WEGA HD CRT I own has a 4:3 screen and all my consoles are crystal clear. Composite and SVideo at 480i and Component and DVI/HDMI at 480p and higher resolution no problem.

Unlike a LCD, The CRT does not upscale, simply displays the console in its native resolution.

[Zing]

Unlike a LCD, The CRT does not upscale, simply displays the console in its native resolution.

No offense, but this is not the case with Sony TVs. They use "DRC" and modify the SD signal to HD resolution. Even in the best case of using the "interlaced" mode of DRC, it is still line doubling. The TV is not, and literally can not, output a 480i signal.

[stargate]

36" CRT's are just too big and heavy, IMO, to justify getting one for gaming. A 32" is really just as nice and much more reasonable in terms of size and weight. Actually, a 27" does just fine especially if it is a high end set like JVC, Sony, or Toshiba.

I just sold a 36" Sony Trinitron this weekend. What an absolute BEAST to move. Never again.

[Zing]

Yes, I would have been content with a 27". My 32" is just about the perfect size, though.

There was one point, back in 2003 or so, that I really wanted a 40". The thing that changed my mind wasn't the weight, it was the physical size. The floor space it consumed from the wall to the front of the screen was just too much.

[stargate]

Yes, I would have been content with a 27". My 32" is just about the perfect size, though.

There was one point, back in 2003 or so, that I really wanted a 40". The thing that changed my mind wasn't the weight, it was the physical size. The floor space it consumed from the wall to the front of the screen was just too much.

I can't imagine a 40" CRT. My 36" Trinition (named simply, "The Beast") nearly killed me the 3 times I had to move her and took up an unholy amount of floor space. When I listed it on CL, I actually tried to talk the buyer out of buying it. I was like, "do you know what this thing is, do you have any idea what you are getting yourself in to?" She showed up with her grandfather to move it and the poor bastard took a shitter when we were loading it in his truck. The Beast nearly claimed another victim.

[WesternNYCollector]

the poor bastard took a shitter

Did the guy almost break himself or did the TV fall to a terrible death?

[stargate]

Did the guy almost break himself or did the TV fall to a terrible death?

The chick said "I can lift it, I used to work construction". She couldn't even budge it off the stand. So me and her grandfather lift it and head up the hatchway out of the basement. Top step, he falls backwards and ditches the TV to the side. It slammed into the side of the hatchway and to the ground, but amazingly did not break. I was sure it was a goner. The old guy was down for a few, but got up no worse for the wear. I emailed later and the TV woks fine. Pretty surprised actually.

[BetaWolf47]

I just sold a 36" Sony Trinitron this weekend. What an absolute BEAST to move. Never again.
I just bought a 36" Sony Trinitron this weekend. I agree. Never again. I don't even know how I'm going to get it out of the house once I move out of here. Looks amazing once you get all of the settings correctly though.

This thing is going in a gaming theater in the future. Wish I had a 27" for my bedroom instead of this monstrosity!

[scottw182]

36" CRT's are just too big and heavy, IMO, to justify getting one for gaming. A 32" is really just as nice and much more reasonable in terms of size and weight. Actually, a 27" does just fine especially if it is a high end set like JVC, Sony, or Toshiba.

I just sold a 36" Sony Trinitron this weekend. What an absolute BEAST to move. Never again.

Yeah, the only thing that's making me consider the larger sizes are the split screen games. But, at least 95% of the gaming I do on it is either going to be just me, or be a 2-player game where you share the screen, so it's not that much of an issue. It's not like I'm going to have 3 other people willing to play Mario Kart 64 or Goldeneye very often anyway, lol. So 36" is definitely out of the question. I've been trying to decide between 27" and 32" and I think I may actually go with the 27" afterall. I played some games the other night for the first time in a long time, and even a 19" screen was perfectly fine for Donkey Kong Country.

I found a KV-27FS120 and I'm thinking about just going ahead and grabbing that. I haven't seen a single FS320 and would hate to hold out for it and never find one. They seem to be the most rare of the ones I'm looking at.

[Zing]

Yes, I only remember seeing one 320 and it was missing the stand, which I wanted.

I am very glad I didn't go for a 36". The 32" is just the right size for viewing. A 27" would probably be a good compromise, since it could easily be moved by two people. The 32" requires two strong people, or no stairs.

[scottw182]

Did you have any idea about my comb filter question?

[tpugmire]

I'm looking at picking up one of these locally. Anyone know if light guns will work on it?

http://reviews.cnet.com/direct-view-tvs-crt/sharp-27f641-27-crt/1707-6481_7-31400548.html