Should I buy a Sony 36XBR250 for $40?

[heybtbm]

For my retro consoles I have a Sony KV-32FS13. Component jacks, S-video, and composite...perfect for everything up to the last generation. It's "only" 104 lbs...but it came with it's own proprietary Sony stand...



I've got my NES, SNES, Genesis, Saturn, N64, and PSone hooked up and ready to go (Dreamcast gets a 17" Sony Trinitron Monitor).

[Purkeynator]

I've often thought about which CRT TV would be the ultimate for retro gaming but my concern is that the flat screen CRT TV's having problems with light guns. I know Sony TV's are very good but most (if not all) of their late CRT TV's were flat screen right? In the end I went with a late 90's model 32 inch JVC D series TV with composite, component, and S-video inputs. Cost me about $40 and found it on Craig's list. Decent TV but I still can't help but wonder what the last Sony CRT TV with a curved screen was...

[NayusDante]

I just had to move a 36" Sony Wega, not sure about the model number but it looks and sounds identical to that KV-32FS13. Two people can move it, but it's certainly difficult.

It used to be my TV until I got my LCD. At the moment, it's my sister's, but I'm buying it if it ever gets replaced. It originally belonged to my grandfather, and I still have the receipt from 2000ish for $999 tucked into the manual. For PSX and N64, I remember it was NICE, and I only ever used composite. NES and SNES were beautiful as well, but it was easier to see the horizontal lines between rows of pixels. I think the sweet spot for these would be the 32", if only because of that issue.

I never understood the need for a component input on a 480i TV. My PS3 looked remarkably unremarkable over component on that CRT, and the lack of progressive scan made it seem like a tease. Don't expect anything amazing there.

I don't remember it having terrible geometry issues, but I don't think it was perfect. If you can find a nice high-end curved screen, go with that, but the Sony flats are still better than most.

[Retromangia]

All your blood... your a very sensitive man aren't you lol. Thanks for your advice, but it wasn't very good. You don't need to get all emotional on us. Yes it's possible to lift this TV with just two people,.. and it's also possible to build a house with two people too... but let's be honest, there's much smarter ways to go about it. Having a third person leaves no room for error, and guarantee's your new beautiful Television stays in the shape you bought it in. Were not talking about moving a couch here.

NayusDante, Purkeynator, heybtbm... thanks for the tips!. Heybtbm, nice setup you have there. I too have my dreamcast hooked up to an old CRT PC Monitor. Right now I'm using a Trinitron 21". But I'm still looking for something bigger =)

Perkenator, I think we have the same JVC TV. I too have a 32" JVC D-series from about 2001. Awesome TV really for what it is..., very close to Sony quality... plus it's not too heavy! ... and yet, I'm still on the lookout for something better =)

What CRTGamer said about using the wooden Dolly was a genius idea! I should definitely invest in one of those... I actually used one the other day to move a huge dresser all the way down the street from my neighbors house to mine. =) Good call.

[Retromangia]

My just under 200 pound HD CRT Wega can be moved easily with two people. If you have to move the CRT far, you can get a wood dolly or two from Harbor Freight Tools. Careful, all the weight is towards the front. Be sure to put a vertical support under the center of the TV shelf.

Oh and be sure the helper doesn't have a dinner plate belt buckle.

Ahh, those stupid belt buckles... always scratching the damn screen!

What I'd really like to know is... how do NES/SNES/N64 era games look on a Progressive scan TV like the Sony? Do they get washed out?

Should I go EDTV or SDTV for retro games? Anyone have experience with an EDTV??? I'm seems most people don't know they exist. Please chime in if you own one of these bad boys! =)


I also wanted to know one more thing... in your CRT guide, you recommend this TV.. KV-36HS500... Thats pretty much the same as the 36XBR250 right? Same kind of "Hi-Scan" screen resolution, but with newer features and looks.

and lastly... why should I stay away from the Super Find Pitch Sony CRT's? The resolution on those is 1440x1080i... I would assume that's much too high for old retro games (NES, SNES).... Perhaps it's good for Progressive scan games? (gamecube, xbox,). They make one Super Fine Pitch CRT in 4:3...KD-36XS955. Know anything about that TV?


CRT GAMER, can you make a guide for us folks here that... Recommends the BEST Sony CRT TV for NES/SNES/N64 Era games... and the Best Sony CRT for Gamecube/xbox,ps2 Progressive scan games? I will pay you my man!


cheers,
Retromangia

[imanerd0011]

I have the KD-36XS955, and use it for all my gaming right now. I have Gamecube and Wii hooked up with component cables, N64/SNES hooked up with S-Video, and NES by composite. Gamecube and Wii look really good, and SNES looks pretty damn good as well IMO. NES could look better, as the screen is just too large for it to look decent on. N64 looks awful! This could be because N64 graphics haven't aged all that well, but I was going to play Goldeneye on N64 the week before the Wii version came out, but honestly, it was unplayable!

I did a bit of research on this very same topic last summer when I bought the 36XS955.
The very best T.V. for NES/SNES/N64 is the KV-32XBR100, but good luck finding one! They cost a small fortune when they were released, and most people who have them know what they have, and want a good amount for them as well. They are also pretty damn rare, and hardly ever come up on Craigslist. Your second best bet for NES/SNES/N64 would be the KV-32XBR200, followed by the 32xbr55/51/88 series.

For Gamecube/PS2/XBOX/Wii you best option would be one of the following:

KV-34xbr960/970
KD-34XS955 or KD-36XS955

Those are the top of the line flat screen CRT models from Sony. I personally wished I would have gone with a widescreen model, so I could watch HDTV on it.

and lastly... why should I stay away from the Super Find Pitch Sony CRT's? The resolution on those is 1440x1080i... I would assume that's much too high for old retro games (NES, SNES).... Perhaps it's good for Progressive scan games? (gamecube, xbox,). They make one Super Fine Pitch CRT in 4:3...KD-36XS955. Know anything about that TV?


CRT GAMER, can you make a guide for us folks here that... Recommends the BEST Sony CRT TV for NES/SNES/N64 Era games... and the Best Sony CRT for Gamecube/xbox,ps2 Progressive scan games? I will pay you my man!


cheers,
Retromangia

[allyourblood]

All your blood... your a very sensitive man aren't you lol. Thanks for your advice, but it wasn't very good. You don't need to get all emotional on us. Yes it's possible to lift this TV with just two people,.. and it's also possible to build a house with two people too... but let's be honest, there's much smarter ways to go about it. Having a third person leaves no room for error, and guarantee's your new beautiful Television stays in the shape you bought it in. Were not talking about moving a couch here.

And in my original reply, I mentioned that if you thought two people weren't enough, you should add a third (which you seem to be in agreement with). It seems rather unnecessary to make childish remarks, don't you think?

Anyway, sorry you didn't get the set.

[CRTGAMER]

What I'd really like to know is... how do NES/SNES/N64 era games look on a Progressive scan TV like the Sony? Do they get washed out?

Should I go EDTV or SDTV for retro games? Anyone have experience with an EDTV??? I'm seems most people don't know they exist. Please chime in if you own one of these bad boys! =)


I also wanted to know one more thing... in your CRT guide, you recommend this TV.. KV-36HS500... Thats pretty much the same as the 36XBR250 right? Same kind of "Hi-Scan" screen resolution, but with newer features and looks.

and lastly... why should I stay away from the Super Find Pitch Sony CRT's? The resolution on those is 1440x1080i... I would assume that's much too high for old retro games (NES, SNES).... Perhaps it's good for Progressive scan games? (gamecube, xbox,). They make one Super Fine Pitch CRT in 4:3...KD-36XS955. Know anything about that TV?


CRT GAMER, can you make a guide for us folks here that... Recommends the BEST Sony CRT TV for NES/SNES/N64 Era games... and the Best Sony CRT for Gamecube/xbox,ps2 Progressive scan games? I will pay you my man!


cheers,
Retromangia

Thanks for the kind words, damn I didn't know my writing was worth any money.

Curved CRT vs Flat CRT for lightguns doesn't matter as long as a NON HD CRT is used. There are the 100hz EDTVs that poses lightgun problems, the PS2 Guncon actually has a mode for that.

For Retro consoles any good CRT is fine, with a CRT HD being the best. Although the HD does kill that Retro lightgun, you gain in the image quality, especially when going component for the PS2 and Gamecube. The higher res HD CRT doesn't hurt an older Retro console image, no dot crawl as in a lot of LCDs. Just get the best possible cable connection for each console, example N64 S-Video instead of Composite.

Look for the specs and inputs, there is not one perfect brand, everyone has their favorite.

[Retromangia]

Iamanerd and CRTGamer, thanks so much for the advice. I feel very wise now

One last question about CRT HDTV's.... Do they have a native resolution like current flat panel LCD HDTV's?

I was wondering if HD CRT's upscale/convert images like LCD flat screens do? I'm going to assume no, as there just like Computer CRT's correct?

When it comes to using flat screens, I'm always trying to play games at the screens native resolution so there's no up-scaling/blurriness going on.... Do I need to even worry about that with HD CRT's?

All that extra bulk from a CRT has to offer some benefits no?


Oh and Imanerd, you may want to update your info. CRTGamer said that a HD CRT is the way to go for Retro gaming, and the XBR100/200 are only SDTV's.

I'm going to put this in stone now, and say that the best TV's for Retro gaming (From Dreamcast and back) are... drum roll.... any SONY "Hi-Scan" HD CRT. (Not so much super fine pitch, leave that for your Xbox/PS2/GC to Current Gen)

Keep the comments a comin'!

[imanerd0011]

A HDCRT is the way to go for the more recent retro consoles (GC,PS2,DC), but for the old retro consoles such as NES/SNES/N64 a SDCRT is your best option IMO. At least I haven't been super impressed with the two HDCRT's that I have (KV-32HS510,KD-36XS955), when it comes to the picture they display on NES and N64 (the picture is pretty good on SNES).

[Retromangia]

You guys are not going to believe this one.....

So I go into one of my neighborhood thrift stores today, and lo and behold... just sitting there waiting for me...was a fuckin' KV-36XBR200!!! Is that crazy or what? I almost passed out when I saw it. I'm going to assume the 36" version is just as good as the 32" model you recommended earlier Imanerd?

Since I missed out on the Sony 36XBR250 EDTV a few weeks ago, I couldn't pass this baby up. It's actually sitting in the store as we speak... (I wrapped it in blankets of course so it should be pretty dumb ass proof.)

Here's a pic for you all to enjoy!

Now, the hard part will be getting this puppy home safe and sound. I think 3 guys, a little flatbed dolly, and 3 pairs of gloves should do the trick. I'm also going to tape a blanket or cloth over the screen too. Better safe than sorry.

The only downside is that the TV does have some geometry issues, notibly some slight bowing on the left and right sides of the screen (I tested it with a PS2). I couldn't pass this TV up for the price though, which was only $70.

Hopefully I'll be able to fix this in the Tech menu. I hear alot of Sony TV's have convergence issues out of the box. Has anyone had any luck fixing a bowing issue like this? I believe they call it pin cushioning.

This TV was manufactured in 1999 and is in excellent cosmetic condition. Maybe that helps, maybe not =)

Please let me know what you guys think!

[Zing]

$70 for the TV with the official stand is a great deal.

The geometry should be easily fixable in the service menus. You will just need a test pattern DVD. The only problem that isn't fixable is convergence (where the different colors are separated). This usually requires tinkering with magnets inside the cabinet by hand. Not recommended.

[Zing]

I am moving to a new place next week and was dreading the thought of carrying my current 32" WEGA downstairs. This thread inspired me to see what was available locally. Since I will be migrating my Wii from an LCD rear projection to the CRT, I want a 36" and more component inputs (I only have one set currently).

I found a good set with the Sony stand. What I am wondering, is if the Sony "DRC" (aka line doubler) introduces input lag. I am reading through the manual now, but I am concerned the image processing will ruin the feel of my old games (PS1 and Gamecube via s-video).

[Nescollector]

It's 236 pounds. How much can you lift? Frankly it's not even just the weight, but the uneven distribution of that weight to the front screen area and the fact that the edges of the TV along the bottom are not rounded and will actually leave deep grooves in your hands. I literally told my friend after his last move as did the other four guys helping to move the TV that if he moved again, we were bringing a sledge hammer to smash the damn thing into pieces first.

My job requires a lot of lifting, and I can rep 200lbs bench, but like Bojay1997 said, moving these TV's are a b*tch. A friend and I just moved my 32 vega downstairs, had to go through several doorways and some tight halls, just about dropped the damn thing
tv weights 165