Hi everybody,

I'm looking to purchase a second tv set for the bedroom and would like to probably go with a used crt hdtv set. From my searching on craigslist for my area, I have come across the opportunity to get either a Sony KV-34HS420 for $400 or an RCA F38310 for $300. Is this a fair price for either of these sets, and if so, which one would you go for? The RCA is obviously bigger screen wise, but also heavier, with constant fans on and not as many inputs types as i would like. The Sony is smaller, but more expensive, most likely a better build quality and a couple years younger than the RCA. Both are in great working order according to each of the original owners..

Any thoughts would greatly be appreciated on this. I would consider a flat panel but the price to performance ratio just doesn't seem to be there when comparing the crt hdtv's. Maybe other's will disagree with that, so I'm open to hearing all thoughts.

Thanks everyone,
David

I would consider the RCA at that price, if I knew for a fact that I could live without a flat-faced screen and HDMI, or at least DVI.

But I know better. Years ago, a company called Monivision sold large direct-view monitors that could display 720p without upscaling or flicker. They weren't known hereabouts for being reliable, if I'm remembering correctly, but when I saw one in person the domed face was what turned me off.

It's arguably a senseless opinion for several reasons of picture quality, but that is the way I continue to feel. I don't want a TV to hang on the wall, but I do want my CRT's flat.

I would not buy either one. $400 is too much for Sony hs-420 imo. $300 for RCA would be much more tempting for pure collector reasons. After all, the RCA F38 along with Loewe Aconda were the largest non-flat widescreen tubes ever made, but it does not have DVI/HDMI, which would rule out the tv for me, and I am not sure how reliable these 38 inch models were also(may be one of the owners can chime in here). I would wait for Sony's xbr960/xs955 to pop up and may be also xbr970. These sets have HDMI and build in ATSN tuner and in case of xbr960/xs955 higher resolution, and they seem to going for around $400-600 these days.

It's arguably a senseless opinion for several reasons of picture quality, but that is the way I continue to feel. I don't want a TV to hang on the wall, but I do want my CRT's flat.

I recall one RCA owner mentioning that RCA screen is close to being flat, so it might be less of an issue with RCA tube than some other more old fashioned curved tubes. I have only seen the pictures of the set myself unfortunately. However, I have to agree. Curved screen is not for me also especially now days. No HDIM/DVI is still a bigger issue for me than the curved screen though.

Hey guys, thanks for the responses.. I feel the same about a flat crt.. i don't dig the domed screens.. if it weren't for the size, the rca really would be out of the question.. no hdmi/dvi is a big issue for me normally.. but it *might* be ok for just the bedroom.. the rca's also did have a hit and miss value on breaking down from overheating in the dm1, but i'm thinking this guy might have gotten one of the good ones if he's had it 5 years with no issues.. you never know though.

as for the hs420, i might wait it out for something better or i might go for it.. either way, i'd be only offering a lower price for both models (probably $150 for the rca and $250 for the sony).. the features of the xbr960/xs955 are definitely nice, but i'm not concerned about the built in atsc tuner.. it's good to have, but i've already ordered two $40 coupons for separate OTA tuners that would allow me to buy current ones that i'm assuming would have better on screen guides and signal detection.. the other features on those units are desirable however..

the other idea i'm considering is a flat panel, but i honestly can't find anything decent (used or new) for a 30" or larger 1080(i/p) that has as good of a picture for the price range of $300-$500.. but maybe i'm looking in the wrong places, so my ears are open to all suggestions..

thanks again,
david

A slightly curved tube is fine in low light conditions. I have just grown to hate how they collect all the glare a given room has to offer. I do remember seeing the RCA in stores and being impressed. At that point even my Trinitron PC monitor was curved.

It weighs 88 pounds less than my KV-40XBR800. I'm guessing the RCA's thinner front glass was easier to manufacture without flaws and the doming helps make that possible.

I'd be super tempted if I actually got someone to sell for $150.

ATSC tuners in CRT's never got good enough to enter a sane person's mind as a shopping criterion, from what I read here. Remember that coupon-eligible DTV boxes will, at best, connect to your TV with s-video.

It weighs 88 pounds less than my KV-40XBR800. I'm guessing the RCA's thinner front glass was easier to manufacture without flaws and the doming helps make that possible.


Yep, I believe that it was the case.

ATSC tuners in CRT's never got good enough to enter a sane person's mind as a shopping criterion, from what I read here.

I disagree. From my personal expirience with both xbr960 and xbr970, ATSC tuner is very good feature to have in the HDTV. While it is probably not as good as some newer stand alone tuners, it still does its job with decent antenna and eliminates the need to for stand alone box. Many people's tv stands and entertainment centers are already crowded now days, so eliminating a need for one additional box is always nice.

Remember that coupon-eligible DTV boxes will, at best, connect to your TV with s-video.

Unless I am misreading your post, this would imply that build in tuner, unlike coupon-eligible tuners which downgrade everything to SD, is even better value. In other worlds, one would have pay full price with no coupons for the tuners that are capable of doing the same(displaying HD channels in HD resolution) as build in tuners. Granted convenience and space are main issue for me with stand alone tuners. Call me old fashioned, but the HDTV just feels incomplete to me without one. This is just my opinion of course.

What price point would any of you jump at for the Sony in question (KV-34HS420)? I love the PQ of my 1080i CRT Panasonic 26" HDTV, and am considering putting that in the bedroom, and finding the Sony used for the living room. This TV would primarily be used for HD cable and a little gaming.

You guys are absolutely correct.. I was just over on the CECB thread and just ignorantly assumed that it would just pass through decoded atsc if need be.. so basically, i have to go with an internal tuner model or spend an extra $100 to get an external OTA tuner with HD support.. bummer..

i'm kind of leaning towards the RCA now i suppose.. that or just wait and see if any xbr's come along.. i've also come across a toshiba 30DF56 for $400.. to rich for my blood for that. but it does have the atsc tuner.. would probably be willing to pay only $200-$250 for that though. the rca's tempting, especially if i can knock him down on the price.. but no guarantees there.. plus i'm concerned of the girlfriends reaction to a tv that big with a constant fan on in the bedroom. ;)

What price point would any of you jump at for the Sony in question (KV-34HS420)?

it's a great tv, but the lack of internal tuner is really now killing me. i would most likely pay $250-$300 tops.. that's just me though.

SwiftSweeper: I admit that I've never even spent time playing with an OTA-connected ATSC-decoding television of any kind. I was spreading a rumor that doesn't even make sense to me, because my DVR from 2005 (DHG-HDD250) has a nice ATSC tuner. The latest CRT HDTV's are from around the same time.

I'm also in a bad, rude way when watching TV as a guest in someone else's home, having been spoiled by free, timeshifted broadcast HD. :o

SwiftSweeper: I admit that I've never even spent time playing with an OTA-connected ATSC-decoding television of any kind. I was spreading a rumor that doesn't even make sense to me, because my DVR from 2005 (DHG-HDD250) has a nice ATSC tuner. The latest CRT HDTV's are from around the same time.

I'm also in a bad, rude way when watching TV as a guest in someone else's home, having been spoiled by free, timeshifted broadcast HD. :o

The build in tuners are alright. They by no means perfect. I use small indoor antenna, and occasionally, I have to readjust my antenna to get a proper reception for some channels. I never used stand alone tuners, so I do not know how good they are in comparison. I agree timeshifting is very nice to have. I am using it with my cable DVR extensively.:)

yea, dvr=a thing of beauty.. and that's got me rethinking the sets without tuners.. maybe go with an hd dvr with built in atsc tuner.. might be worth it and would kill two birds with one stone.. i just wish tivo didn't have a bloody subscription service.. plus all the lifetime subscriptions available on craigslist are only sd boxes.. i should maybe start looking in to other hd dvrs that are relatively inexpensive and more open..

i wonder if we'll start seeing newer sets that have built in dvrs in them.. that would be a nice standard i could dig..

Sorry everyone.. Not to bump an old thread, but I'm now just getting back to purchasing a set.. It appears that I could grab a KV-34HS420 for $275 or a KD-34XBR960 for $500.. I know the xbr is beautiful, but is it really worth two of the hs420's? I'm really trying to justify the extra $225 for the xbr but I'm tempted on settling for the cost effective route of the hs420.. Was the super fine pitch that much more incredible on the xbr's? And also does the hs420 generally have a decent picture on it (comparable to other 34" hdtv crt brands)?

Thanks all,
David

I don't think this is something somebody can tell you as you need to look at both and decide for yourself. I have seen a 30xs955 30" SFP tube and two 30HS420s (one mine, one co-located with the 30xs955) and though I could see a difference between the SFP tubes and the hi scan tubes it was not important to me at my normal viewing distance on a 30" set. YMMV on a bigger set and depending on how "golden" your eyes are.

The SFP sets are a bit dimmer so if you room doesn't have light control that might be an issue, otherwise I think the issue is overblown. Basically in my research half the folks say the SFPs are compeltely worth it and the other half say they aren't. I am sort of in the latter camp though if a 30xs955 came my way cheap (under $200 or so) I might be tempted to upgrade.

The long and the short of it is that you will need to decide. Are you one who likes to have the best and are constantly upgrading, if so you probably want the XBR. If you are happy to know you are getting 80% (or whatever) of the performance for half the price then the HS420 is for you probably. Also is this your primary viewing device or backup/alternate? In my case I have a Barco CRT FP for my primary crtical viewing so getting the best for my family room was not a huge concern for me. If my 30HS420 was my only HDTV I might have gone for an SFP. Also do you want OTA HDTV if so remember that the XBR comes with and ATSC tuner the HS420s do not. I got a used OTA HDTV tuner for about 25 shipped on Ebay and it works great. Remember that most of the cheap converter boxes being sold new today do NOT output HDTV only composite and s-video (at best).

Personally I am VERY happy with my recently purchased used 30HS420 which cost me $225.

edit: spelling

thanks for the response secstate.. some great insight there.. i would have to consider myself somewhat obsessive compulsive in regards to image quality (i'm in the vfx industry and consistently working on films/commercials/etc) so I do pick apart things pretty critically.. on the other hand, i've always been the type of person to buy the second best model rather than throwing out cash at the latest gadget/upgrade.. i'm always looking out for the best bang for my buck rather than getting the best of the best and spending twice as much.. so with that in mind, i'm probably going to swing for the hs420.. i'm sure it will look good enough and $275 really is a pretty decent deal for the size and quality ratio.. i haven't decided what to do for an OTA tuner yet, but I may keep an eye on ebay like you seemed to have had luck with.. and if not, i'm really not a huge tv fan and really just watch several movies a week instead.. very rarely am i actually watching shows, just films.. so i think it should work out just fine..

thanks again for the help.. much appreciated..

cheers,
dave