Where in your game room are your PS2/Xbox/GCN consoles?

[GrouchoGlasses]

Most of us have two choices of gaming--(1) the HDTV and (2) the CRT. For the sake of discussion, assume the CRT is one of the later, component ready models, and our PS2/Xbox/GCN is running off of some form of s-video or component or even scart.

I've always ran these three consoles through my main HDTV, but recently I've been considering moving that generation to the CRT game area. Do you find a better gaming experience playing last generation's systems on a component ready CRT over a HDTV?

My tests of playing games both ways leave me sitting on the fence on which way is best. The main trade off seems to be the loss of widescreen when playing on a CRT TV. However, the CRT offers, to me, a more nostalgic feel with slightly smoother picture quality. Is there an objective consensus on this subject? Is my component ready PS2 better suited for the CRT game room?

EDIT: Poll Added

[bryan_65]

The main trade off seems to be the loss of widescreen when playing on a CRT TV.

What games are you playing that can be displayed in widescreen with out stretching?

Stretching anything to widescreen = bad

[Hazerd]

PS2 - on my Vizio 32 inch 1080p LCD, hooked up via Component.

Xbox - In it's Xbox carrying bag.

GCN - Hooked up to CRT via S-Video.

[Luke]

My PS2 usually sits in my theater while my oxbox and Crube sit in my game room, which has a CRT.

[Valkyrie-Favor]

I don't have an Xbox. My PS2, Dreamcast, and Gamecube are right next to my small HDTV. Games look good, even in widescreen. Progressive scan makes it really worth it. I'm not using my CRT much at all lately, since the convergence has gotten so bad.

[BoneSnapDeez]

PS2 - connected to the CRT

Xbox - in the closet

GCN - in the closet

[GrouchoGlasses]

The main trade off seems to be the loss of widescreen when playing on a CRT TV.

What games are you playing that can be displayed in widescreen with out stretching?

Stretching anything to widescreen = bad

There are a handful of games that I believe are widescreen ready, but the stretching seems much less noticeable than the retro consoles. Now that you brought that to my attention, why would I be more accepting to stretching in PS2 than SNES? I can ONLY play older games in their designed 4:3. You sir have pointed out an inconsistency in my thoughts on the subject. Thank you!

Anyhoo, I added a poll to better gauge our input.

[Valkyrie-Favor]

I agree that the aspect ratio should be preserved, but I'm not a stickler for square pixels. I'll go 16:9 if the game supports it. Soulcalibur II will be displayed with a widescreen FOV, but 4:3 resolution like 640x480. I'll use widescreen in that case. Stretching out La Pucelle Tactics? Ridiculous.

Some games that display in 480p can output a real widescreen resolution too.

[Hatta]

In my basement game room, everything is hooked up to the 32" SD Sony Trinitron Wega. Upstairs I have a Samsung widescreen CRT HDTV which has a Wii and an Atari 2600 connected to it. I suppose there are a few PS2 games that could benefit from 480P, but I don't think I actually miss anything important.

I wish I could convince my GF that stretching to widescreen is bad. You'd think a graphic designer would understand that circles should display as circles. But she will not watch anything pillarboxed.

[ninjainspandex]

if by GCN you include a backwards compatible wii that's softmodded, It's hooked up to my hdcrt via component.