Are new technology TVs better than a decent CRT?

Hi TM-P,

I suppose I would respond - define better.

It seems to me to be a form of unholy consumerist hell that we have locked ourselves into.

In the past CRT was fine, although you definitely noticed the superiority of PAL.

Video was developed with this delivery mechanism in mind.

Then DVD came along, promising 'more' through greater resolution, but you didn't really see much difference via a CRT TV, until you moved to a digital screen with a higher pixel rate.

Now you could see the advantage in the detail ....but your videos looked crap.

Time to re-buy your stock of films.

Now TV moves to higher pixel rates hand in hand with BluRay.

I have to say that BR is better, but enough for me to re-buy all my thousands of films? No.

Would I move to an Ultra High Def TV ---- definitely NOT. I just see this as a way for business to plunder my pocket AGAIN. 1080p is great for me - and I'm sticking, at least for the foreseeable future.

Do I wish I had stuck with CRT?

In all honesty I was glad to get rid of the hulking beast that took up so much floor space in the living room and wall mount a thin screen. But, apart from that, I would have been happy to stick.

I DO like digital media for the convenience of getting it all onto HDD, and making it available around the house.

In your case I would probably sit tight and spend the money on music and movies.

M

If you're using the TV's on-board speakers then yes, your current TV is better than the new generation TV's.

On the screen side, I'm still leaning towards plasma panels when comparing CRT to current technology however plasma's don't make an appearance until you reach 50" or so.

I'd look closely at the same brand you are currently using.

The Loewe LCD's always look very nice indeed to my eye.

Traded in a 20 year old B+O CRT (that we thought was the bees knees) for a Sony 24"  when we had to get Freesat. The picture is so, so much better and not just on HD channels. Like casette vs CD

Bruce

I think if you do an A-B comparison a modern Plasma or LED screen will look miles better than any older CRT set. 

Just changed our Loewe Xelos 28" CRT for a Loewe Art 32 DR+ (built in PVR)".  This is a £2k 32" LCD so pretty much top of the range.

On HD material the new set is stunning, the best picture I have seen on an LCD and noticeably better than the CRT.  On standard definition I still reckon the CRT had the edge though.

Soundwise the new set is much better than I expected.  Every other LCD I have heard is very tinny, but this is very usable and has bass.

I changed mainly for connectivity reasons, DNLA etc also appealed.  It was also heavily discounted, If you Google the Loewe ART DR+ you will see a Divine offer on some sizes!

Richard

A new, perfectly calibrated, professional grade CRT can match a LCD/Plasma in some ways with low resolution sources. One you move past DVD resolutions, a CRT will never be as good.The reality was that few people's sets were properly set up.

New sets are plonk'n'play to the extent that they all look pretty good. Are we any more entertained? That's the question worth asking.

Yep.