Best CRT for retro gaming?

[Fahrenheit]

Id like to pick up an CRT just for retro. Id like it to go up to 480p and be able to have a VGA input. I got a line on a Sony KV-36HS500 which looks to be perfect and the price is right but the DVI input is the kind that cant be made to work with VGA cables (for dreamcast) . Id need some converter. So guys do I go with the KV-36HS500 or look for something else?



If it is indeed true that the Sony wont work with a plain jane cable I could get something like this http://www.ramelectronics.net/audio-vid ... V2300.html How do you think that will work? Will it effect the over all picture quality?

[Majors]

From my experience, any 480p(1080i) CRT will look like ass on composite/S-vid connections. This is because it will upscan everything, meaning you'll lose scan lines. You can get devices that "put back" scanlines like the SLG3000 (high recommended), if you go that route. There are other options out there, but finding a SD TV should be cheaper. Remember, your using it for retro...you know the saying, "don't bring a knife to a gun fight", well, don't hookup 8/16-bit on HD!

If you have room, get two CRTs- one SD and one HD ...I did:

(BTW, the one on the right is the KV-30HS420)

The 500 that you mention is a great TV...in both image AND wieght! Only thing better is the "Super Fine Pitch" line.

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

[Jamisonia]

Yes I agree. The only additional option you may consider is a Widescreen TV as long as it has the original remote. There were a few SD WS CRTs made. I say it must have the original remote because without it Universal remotes are unlikely to duplicate the feature that allows you to display a 4:3 picture with black bars on the side, so it doesn't stretch the picture. This will allow you to display the 4:3 retro games in their proper ratio, and display the few 16:9 games in their proper ratio. But very few games before the GCN, PS2, Xbox, DC gen were in 16:9, so it may not be worth the hassle. Games from the GCN, PS2, Xbox, DC gen, when connected using Component/VGA, look great on HDTVs.

[forsigmar]

That is like 800 pounds of CRT on that shelf!

[CRTGAMER]

From my experience, any 480p(1080i) CRT will look like ass on composite/S-vid connections. This is because it will upscan everything, meaning you'll lose scan lines. You can get devices that "put back" scanlines like the SLG3000 (high recommended), if you go that route.

Yes I agree. The only additional option you may consider is a Widescreen TV as long as it has the original remote. There were a few SD WS CRTs made. I say it must have the original remote because without it Universal remotes are unlikely to duplicate the feature that allows you to display a 4:3 picture with black bars on the side, so it doesn't stretch the picture. This will allow you to display the 4:3 retro games in their proper ratio, and display the few 16:9 games in their proper ratio. But very few games before the GCN, PS2, Xbox, DC gen were in 16:9, so it may not be worth the hassle. Games from the GCN, PS2, Xbox, DC gen, when connected using Component/VGA, look great on HDTVs.

Widescreen stretch problem
I have a HD CRT WEGA, a Sony KV32HS500 with a 4:3 screen. The perfect TV for older 4:3 screen 480i consoles as well as newer Component and HDMI systems. A compromise of watching widescreen movies on a square TV though. I prefer a full screen so I always try to get the anamorphic versions of movies, filling up the entire screen. But if I had a widescreen, I think I would prefer to utilize all the estate of a screen, stretching a 4:3 screen of a non widescreen game. For me a better route then the black bars on the sides.

I do like the scanlines option in Mame, but I think the older consoles such as NES Composite, N64 and PS1 SVideo look beautiful when "cleaned up" with a HD CRT. Even 480i broadcast look cleaner, especially cartoons with sharp black outlines.

The Sony WEGA series have a inexpensive fix if they fail:
Sony Trinitron WEGA RLOD Twenty Dollar Repair Guide

[Fahrenheit]

Thanks guys, Can anyone touch on the VGA to DVI thing?


How about something like this, http://www.monoprice.com/products/produ ... 1&format=2 then use a HDMI to DVI cable, Think that would work? Its cheaper this way

[CRTGAMER]

Thanks guys, Can anyone touch on the VGA to DVI thing?

How about something like this, http://www.monoprice.com/products/produ ... 1&format=2 then use a HDMI to DVI cable, Think that would work? Its cheaper this way

I have that exact same model VGA to HDMI box. I tried one in hopes of getting the Dreamcast to display VGA thru my DVI input. It did not work on my HD CRT but it does work on some LCDs. Only ones that support certain resolutions.

The DVI input of HD CRTs can easily work with a simple DVI to HDMI cable. You still have to add RCA cables for the audio portion though.

Another link with screenshot of the box working on a Plasma:
http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 65#p349265

Go to the OP on page one, a ton of information there.

[Fahrenheit]

Thanks, its bumming me out with all this BS trying to get the VGA to work with this TV. What model HDCRT is it? Maybe the one i'm looking at will work....

[CRTGAMER]

Thanks, its bumming me out with all this BS trying to get the VGA to work with this TV. What model HDCRT is it? Maybe the one i'm looking at will work....

Previous Reply: "I have a HD CRT WEGA, a Sony KV32HS500 with a 4:3 screen."

Did you read the OP of page one of my previous Reply link?

[Fahrenheit]

My mistake I read right over that. I'm just gonna go in on this tv but ill try a different converter box. Maybe ill try this one http://www.monoprice.com/products/produ ... 1&format=2.