CRT TV Question

[asocialjester]

Hello everyone, I'm asocialjester and I just joined the forums.

I've decided to start building a retro game collection and the first big decision I've run into is what kind of TV to get for the older systems. I've heard the Sony WEGA's name thrown around a lot so I guess I'm going to get that.

The main question though, is if I need to take into consideration a console's native resolution. I know the NES and Sega Master System have tiny resolutions. Is there a TV size that would display those games at an optimum quality?

Thanks for any help, guys. Glad to finally be a part of racketboy!

[kingbuzzo]

a plain old non-hd crt will display any 15khz resolution just fine.

[Jontendo]

My late-model Trinitron definitely produces some of the crispest scanlines around for the low-rez stuff. The only downside is these tubes (Trinitrons in particular) are heavy as hell.

[Zing]

One of the later model Sony FD Trinitron will be the best. Digital comb filter has the best composite display I have ever experienced on a TV. Just be sure to get a standard definition set and not a "hiscan" (model number begins with HS) or HDTV.

The most common later model Sony are the FS series. KV-XXFS100 were still being sold at retail here in 2008.

They are heavy, but a 27" would only be around 125lbs. Very easy for two people. The 32" is 160lbs, which is doable with two people, but difficult on stairs.

I have the KV-32FS120 (32") and my eyes are approximately four feet away from the screen. The NES looks great!

[asocialjester]

Thanks for the tips guys. They're certainly helpful.

I've heard that getting a TV that's flat rather than rounded is recommended as well. Is this true?

[Duke.Togo]

I also have to give a big plus to Sony WEGA XBR sets. They are insanely heavy, but have a beautiful picture.

I do recommend a flat CRT to a curved tube.

[Zing]

There is nothing wrong with a vertically flat, older Trinitron. However, the flat models will be more recent and have less wear.

[kingbuzzo]

flat or curved is a matter of preference. Arcade monitors are all curved, so I feel a bit more comfortable playing tate shmups on a curved monitor.

[fox099]

You cant go wrong with a Wega like many people mentioned earlier. I personally prefer a vertical flat, horizontal curved screen as there is little modification to the natural overscan that the consoles account for. I find that gaming on a Wega (I had a 34KV800 prior to my house burning down), looked great but always had a blue, black, or green border around the gaming image.

Just make sure that you have at least 1-Svideo port for optimal graphics on the 16 bit systems.

[ElkinFencer10]

I've got a widescreen HDTV that I use for most games with an older CRT TV beside it for light gun games. I've never had a problem with putting my NES or even 2600 games on my 32 inch, but I know a of people don't like older games on newer TVs. That's largely a matter of preference, I think. If you're going to use just one TV, though, I'd definitely go with some kind of CRT since light guns won't work with LCD, LED, plasma, etc.