How many of you are actually still using CRT TVs?

[TSTR]

You guys know what I hate?

Interlace flicker. Pure eye torture.

I know what you mean. I don't normally notice it unless someone points a camera at a CRT, then it's clear as day.

By the way, is your avatar the Ruum by Arthur Porges?

Actually it's one of the Tall Man's spheres from Phantasm. But that story sounds super cool after a quick Google.

[CRTGAMER]

I picked up a new CRT the other day. The catch is that I don't yet know if it works. It was on the side of the road, and it was raining out. It wasn't raining hard, or for very long, and the TV didn't look too wet. I'm thinking there's a good chance that it's fine, but I'm giving it at least a week before I plug it in.

It's not a Wega, but it's a Sony Trinitron 32" bubble screen. It has composite and S-Video input as well as audio out. No component input, but I'm not gonna miss that for retro games.

I posted earlier in this thread that I currently have a 27" Wega as my primary CRT for retro gaming. While something bigger would be nicer, I don't really wanna mess around with anything much bigger than a 27". I actually passed on a free 36" Wega recently. The 32" is a little bigger than my 27" while still not being ridiculously big and heavy.

So I don't know if it works or what I plan to do with it, but it was free. I would have had to pass if I was by myself, but I was with my brother in his pickup truck so it was kinda perfect. Some years back, after I already had my 27" Wega, I found a 36" Wega in a thrift store but I had no way of getting it. CRTs that large, you really need two people and some sort of truck or SUV. I don't even think it would fit in the trunk of a sedan.

Nice post!

EDIT and Oh crap lost part of my old post.

Double Oh Crap - Should I do this? EVERY NEW YEAR HD CRTS HARDER TO FIND
Thanks a lot RyaNtheSlayA for this Thread, you renewed my obsessive collector mentality of loading up on CRTs! I already have that backup 27" 4:3 HD CRT JVC posted earlier. I might be picking up a SECOND backup as a direct replacement should my 32" 4:3 WEGA HD CRT ever fail and cannot be repaired. A duplicate exact same model Trinitron! Justified since I do have extra MCZ3001DB chips and sockets in case the latest "adopt a TV" program ever fails.

The backup Sony after dust out will stage to the washroom storage at the back. Maybe the JVC staged to the front along with Sony PVM for Halloween House Of The Dead setup in the back of the parked SUV? Gaah, that will be a heavy haul out every year! Okay maybe not every year, the Commodore and PVM more sensible to save my back.

I am sooo spoiled by this beautiful TV, would really regret if it ever fails and not having a standby unit or two!



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EDIT 2 - Picked up SECOND Sony 32" Trinitron HD CRT TV KV-32HS500
Oookay, I now have another beast as a backup! FREE! FREE! FREE! After testing with Pacman PlugNPlay and owner helping load the TV into my SUV, gave $20 for the generosity. This TV is an exact same model number to the WEGA Trinitron TV I posted years ago in the Twenty Dollar Repair Guide and still going strong.

I actually had passed up on that Craigslist two earlier postings. At the time I was at a quandary as a backup TV had concerns of the eventual fail of the MCZ3001D chips. I have done the repair already, though it is a meticulous solder job. In the interim, picked up the JVC HD CRT.

After seeing the ad again teasing me, missed the "Free U-haul". Jumped on this and got it!

I have for sale a 32" Trinitron WEGA TV, the last of the great Sony CRT monitors. Free, U-haul.

condition: good
make / manufacturer: Sony
model name / number: KV-32HS500
size / dimensions: 32"

Features (per Crutchfield):
Hi-Scan HDTV monitor (compatible with HDTV/SDTV formats -- when connected to a separate HDTV tuner -- and displays them at 1080i or 480p)
4:3 screen aspect ratio
auto/manual 16:9 Enhanced viewing mode for HDTV and anamorphic DVDs
Digital Reality Creation Multifunction (upconverts NTSC sources to 960i or 480p)
10-bit 3D digital comb filter
SRS TruSurround™ 3D audio processing
181-channel NTSC tuner
2-tuner PIP (split-screen)
video input labeling
7 A/V inputs, including:
4 composite video (3 rear, 1 front)
3 S-video (2 rear, 1 front)
2 rear-panel wide-bandwidth component video
(compatible with 1080i/720p/480p/480i signals)
DVI HDTV input with HDCP copy protection <HDMI adapter capable>
2 RF inputs for antenna/cable
Memory Stick playback (JPEG)
30 watts total (7.5 x 2, plus 15 for subwoofer)
35-5/16"W x 26-11/16"H x 23-5/8"D

Worked perfectly when I stuck it in the garage a couple of months ago; I was just tired of dealing with its massive size. You'll need a large car and at least two very strong people to move the beast.

A layer of soot on the TV. I'm leaving this temporarily in the SUV for use as a work stand. Tomorrow I'll pop the cover for the dust out, clean all the grime and test all the inputs. After the tuneup, the TV will go in as a backup stored in the washroom. I'm leaving the JVC on the older WEGA stand for checking next.

The sound of anxiety - CRT TVs are getting recycled out of reach from the consumer.

The sound of relief - Having not one, but three backup CRTs, two are HD tubes!

Hey, I have to keep the reputation of my Login name and maintain a rescue shelter of CRT TVs!

[KalessinDB]

$70 for a 14" PVM literally 2 miles from my house. Tempting. Not big enough to replace my Wega with by any stretch of the imagination, but might be worth picking up.

[Ziggy]

So I decided it was a long enough wait to test that TV out. I plugged it in and turned it on. I didn't have anything hooked up to it, but I got a nice snowy white screen and static out of the speakers. It seems like it works perfectly fine. I wont know how retro gaming looks on it for a while though.




It's a good thing Ziggy hoards CRT TVs. My brother keeps a spare bedroom at my parents house. He had his old 32" HDTV in there, which recently died. One of my spare CRTs is a 27" Samsung that was actually a Christmas present for my brother from his girlfriend and myself. We bought it new in Best Buy, however long ago that was. Two things surprised me. One, it's noticeably lighter than my 27" Wega. And two, I hooked his cable box up to it with component (480i) and it didn't look bad at all. I was expecting it to be a blurry mess compared to the sweet HD I'm use to watching, but it looks surprisingly sharp.

[CRTGAMER]

I picked up a new CRT the other day. The catch is that I don't yet know if it works. It was on the side of the road, and it was raining out. It wasn't raining hard, or for very long, and the TV didn't look too wet. I'm thinking there's a good chance that it's fine, but I'm giving it at least a week before I plug it in.

It's not a Wega, but it's a Sony Trinitron 32" bubble screen. It has composite and S-Video input as well as audio out. No component input, but I'm not gonna miss that for retro games.

So I decided it was a long enough wait to test that TV out. I plugged it in and turned it on. I didn't have anything hooked up to it, but I got a nice snowy white screen and static out of the speakers. It seems like it works perfectly fine. I wont know how retro gaming looks on it for a while though.

Model number of the Sony Trinitron bubble screen? Be sure to pop the cover for a proper dust out with soft brush and can of air.

You can do an easy quick test with a portable PlugNPlay to make sure. I use the Ms Pacman version that has both Pole Position and Xevious. The idea is to get a solid color (instead of the black background of most older arcade roms) to confirm the color convergence and geometry.

It's a good thing Ziggy hoards CRT TVs. My brother keeps a spare bedroom at my parents house. He had his old 32" HDTV in there, which recently died. One of my spare CRTs is a 27" Samsung that was actually a Christmas present for my brother from his girlfriend and myself. We bought it new in Best Buy, however long ago that was. Two things surprised me. One, it's noticeably lighter than my 27" Wega. And two, I hooked his cable box up to it with component (480i) and it didn't look bad at all. I was expecting it to be a blurry mess compared to the sweet HD I'm use to watching, but it looks surprisingly sharp.

Ah, another CRT hoarder! Maybe replace the inexpensive chips on you brother's 32" CRT if a WEGA?

Which model is your Samsung? I have the Samsung TX-P2034 posted on the previous page with a review. The 27" is probably the biggest I would go with an SD tube due to the scanlines. What is really neat is trying digital HD channels with the cable box or antennae or try a DVD Player thru the Component hookup. Even though only 480i, the imagery is quite good and you gain on no upscale issues of all the SD TV channels and game consoles.

I went by the local Vets Thrift store today, always make a trip to the backroom to see what comes in. Saw a 34" Widescreen HD CRT XRB Sony in the TV tube recycle corner. So sad to see such a loss, but then I have too many 4:3 (my preference) mix of SD and HD CRTs already. I saw the remote laying on another pile and bought it for two bucks. I now have THREE XBR Remotes for use on my WEGAs. Nice having both the ANT, Widescreen and "." Digital TV Channel feature buttons.

Also picked up a spare DVD remote for a buck for my Sony Precision Drive 3 DVD Players, it includes a volume control button compatible to the WEGAs. The Precision Drive 3 players are actually designed for scratched warped DVDs, idea for less then perfect movie rentals, I have four of these! I love the variable speed play while still maintaining audio, the sign of a solid head tracking player.

[Ziggy]

I was over a friend of a friend's house the other day and guess what they have in their finished basement... A 36" Wega! Fucking balls, that thing is a monster! I'm glad I passed up on getting that free one off Craigslist. It's just too big.

Model number of the Sony Trinitron bubble screen? Be sure to pop the cover for a proper dust out with soft brush and can of air.

You can do an easy quick test with a portable PlugNPlay to make sure. I use the Ms Pacman version that has both Pole Position and Xevious. The idea is to get a solid color (instead of the black background of most older arcade roms) to confirm the color convergence and geometry.

I have yet to check the model number. The one thing I really want to investigate is the remote since it didn't come with one. If the overscan is all whack (which is usually the case) I'll likely need the remote to get into the service menu. And that's assuming I can even figure out how to!

I don't have any plug and play consoles for an easy test. My man cave is a wreck right now, so this is a back burner kind of project anyway. The TV is currently sitting in my garage right now. I'm gonna leave it there until I can finally make a decision if it's going in the man cave (basement) or on the curb. It's not light, so I'm avoiding bringing it down if it turns out that I don't wanna keep it.

When I get around to it, I'll most likely bring a spare console out that I can use the 240p Test Suite with. That'll help me make a determination.

Ah, another CRT hoarder!

I'm not so much a hoarder as much as I just want backups and currently have the space to store them.

My brother's old 27" Samsung was my main CRT until I got the 27" Wega, now the Samsung is the first backup to the Wega. When I got the Wega, I tossed the old backup which was an older 27" Samsung bubble screen (it wasn't a very good TV). My sister is too cheap to buy an HDTV for herself, so she's using my old 19" flat screen Sanyo. It's not a great TV, but I might as well keep it as a spare since it's not even taking up any of my own real estate at preset. My 19" bubble screen TV/VCR bubble combo sits next to my work bench to keep me entertained when I have some boring work to do. I was even thinking about getting a treadmill or an excercise bike to put in the work room, so it'd be nice for that too. It also gives me an excuse to hold on to my VHS tapes since I can't bare to part with them yet. I'll wait till they all turn grey then throw them out turn the boxes into wall art.

Maybe replace the inexpensive chips on you brother's 32" CRT if a WEGA?

Nah, too many TVs! My brother's TV is a 27" Samsung. The bubble screen I just scored is a 32" Sony Trinitron, but not a Wega. My own main CRT that I use is a 27" Wega.

Which model is your Samsung? I have the Samsung TX-P2034 posted on the previous page with a review.

I saw that. It's similar, but not the same. The remote is almost exactly the same though. I'll have to get the model number of it.

[samsonlonghair]

I've taken to hoarding SONY remotes now. I don't have space to hoard extra CRTs, but I can find a little room for an extra remote control. Also, my lady is notorious for losing remotes.

[CRTGAMER]

I don't have any plug and play consoles for an easy test.

When I get around to it, I'll most likely bring a spare console out that I can use the 240p Test Suite with. That'll help me make a determination.

Maybe have both readily available? PlugNPlays are cheap at Thrift Stores and Swap Meets. The idea is a quick battery operated device in case a seller does not have the patience to allow setup of a plug in device requiring a bootup and the extra cables. That is if you are adding more backup CRTs.

Anyone in the market for any TV should bring a PlugNPlay to verify the SD quality.

Did not know about that 240p Test Suite, just downloaded the Dreamcast version, Thanks!

Which model is your Samsung? I have the Samsung TX-P2034 posted on the previous page with a review.

I saw that. It's similar, but not the same. The remote is almost exactly the same though. I'll have to get the model number of it.

I found the Service Manual PDF, downloaded it and adjusted the Horizontal Shift. There is Vertical Size, but not Horizontal Size. On the previous page you can only see CN on the bottom right, now all the CNN logo letters are now all visible. There are also numerous Sony Service manual PDFs for various CRTs all at the Sony eSupport site.

Updated the Twenty Dollar Repair Guide with my latest WEGA TV, the transport SUV makes a great workbench!
http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1034809#p1034809

[ZBomber]

Someone is giving away a Sony Trinitron 32" flatscreen in my area. I'm gonna get in touch with them tonight, and I see from this thread that Trinitron is a good brand. Are there any that are bad? Anything I should look out for? Unfortunately there wasn't a model number listed, so I'm not sure how far it can be narrowed down just based on the size/flatscreen. My old CRT I had for years died last year and I've been using a junky spare one my parents had at their house.

Thanks!

[IrishNinja]

i still use my 14" PVM from time to time, but it's on the small side...a friend donated a big Trinotron (component, even!) and im trying to fit that into my current setup, for the option of light gun games & stuff that cant take the input lag of HDTV + XRGB!