I'm not really sure exactly what model Sony Trinitron is the absolute best. I'm actually trying to find out the exact same thing myself at the moment.
The best for gaming would definitely be a 4:3 model. Since you plan on playing in 480P, it would have to be one of the HD sets, so that you could play Gamecube/Wii in 480P.
The best 4:3 model is the KD-36XS955. It is the only 4:3 Super Fine Pitch model. I'm trying to get one, but am having a hell of a time finding one nearby.
Here is a wikipage on all of the Sony Trinitron models:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FD_Trinitron/WEGA

I currently have the KV-32HS510, and I'm happy with it. NES/SNES looks good on it, and Wii in 480P looks awesome! Way better than it does on my Samsung Ln32B460. The only reason why I'm still looking is that I want the absolute best, since they currently sell for so little.
I wish there was more info out there, as to which models are the best for gaming, but there really isn't.

Quote Originally Posted by Retromangia View Post
Hey guys... great discussion going on here about old Tube TV's. I too must confess.. I have 3 hooked up in my apt now (1 in every room)...

This post is about which Sony Tube TV is THE DEFINITIVE model for 8bit - 64bit gaming. Everything from Sega Master System to Nintendo 64. (My next post will be about which Sony tube is best for newer consoles with 480p support (PS2, XBOX1, Gamecube).

Let me ask this now... is there an all in one SONY TV that does both SD and 480p perfectly?


Anyway... can anyone tell me what they think is The definitive CRT TV? We can safely say it's a Sony... but which Sony is best? I know the "Super Fine pitch" model's have the highest resolution, but wouldn't there be processing artifacts when going to lower resolutions like that of a SNES or Genesis?

I know there's lots of talk about native resolution on newer HDTV's, and as such If you don't have your game console set to that of the same resolution of the TV, the game will look like crap. Do Super Fine pitch SONY's have this problem as well? Their cross hybrid of analog/digitalness throw's me off a bit.


Below is a list of all the tube types that Sony produced. I hear on some forums that the "Hi-Scan" models actually look better than "SFP" in standard definition gaming.

Does anyone have experience with all 3 Sony tube types, and can compare the difference for us?


Trade name / Physical Resolution

Super Fine Pitch -1440x1080i
Hi-Scan -853x1080i
WEGA 16:9 -480i
WEGA -480i



By the way, this is a great thread that should be Sticky'd.. I think every gamer should want to experience all their retro gaming goodness the best way possible. Your TV will have the most significant impact on that.