I am looking to replace my 15 year old 27-inch Sony CRT TV with whatever is made today that comes the closest to duplicating its quality. I watch standard definition material exclusively and I don't need anything fancy. What I do need is a tube tv that very simply, produces the same *absolutely perfect* picture quality that my ancient one from 1993 does.

With the old one (I don't know the model number but I'l try to find out) the picture is always sharp and flawless, no jagged edges, no fuzzines, no pixelation, noise, or any other imperfection. Whether I'm watching tv drama, sports, or dvd movies, every millimeter of the picture is exactly as it should be, nothing could be changed or improved.

So what exists today in the CRT world that most closely mimics the 1993 Sony perfection? Everything I've encountered seems to fall well short. Sony doesn't seem to even make or sell tube tv's anymore. The only two CRT's I've been able to find at Best Buy (a Toshiba and an Insignia) had pretty crappy picture quality by comparison. So what are my options?

I'm looking for anything generally around 27 inches, give or take, that I can find somewhere in a physical store in Toronto, and that costs under $1,000. And just like my old 1993 set, once I plug it in and start watching it, I should never have to give it another thought or start noticing problems with performance. I would have thought that all CRT's made within the last few years would have achieved that mark given the age of the technology, but I was quite disappointed in the ones I tried.

I'd ideally prefer that it be Sony, but if some other brand has come to surpass others and hold the current title for most perfect performance, I'm happy to opt for that instead. So in the end I'm not asking for anything too unreasonable: just an absolutely perfect tube tv, as good as one made 15 years ago. Any suggestions?

If you want a decent CRT you probably aren't going to find one new and should start hitting craigslist and ebay for a decent used ones. The TVs being turned out by Sony and others 2-4 years ago are superior to any tube TV sold today. See the thread below about it is buyer market on craigslist. Since you watch standard definition you should be able to buy a decent 4:3 set for a few hundred dollars. If you have a few larger friends the height of Sony TV 4:3 tubes, the 40xbr800 or the older 40xbr700, seem to go begging because of their weight (300+ pounds) on craigslist.

Thanks for the reply. Why is it that tube tv's made today would suddenly drop in quality over the ones from a few years ago? What would account for the technology suddenly getting worse? Shouldn't things get better instead of worse?

I thought about the craigslist option but I really don't want to buy a used television set. If my local Sony store can by any chance order in a KV27HS420, is that still one of the good quality ones? It's listed on their website as in-store only, but they don't have it on display at the store.

It's really troubling that one can't simply walk into a department store today and buy a TV that is as good as what one got 15 years ago. What the heck happened to CRT manufacturing technology? Did everyone just lose the design schematics and forget how to make them well?

Thanks for the reply. Why is it that tube tv's made today would suddenly drop in quality over the ones from a few years ago? What would account for the technology suddenly getting worse? Shouldn't things get better instead of worse?

People now want big screen HDTVs. Giant CRTs are much more expensive to produce than LCDs, so Sony and others gave up on them. So the only companies making tubes are the no-name brands, and they compete strictly for the lowest price. And they do that by using the cheapest components, which means poor picture quality and reliability.

Best Buy carried a 27" Sharp TV which had decent picture quality for the price, you may look out for one of those.

I understand the concerns you might have of buying a used tv on craigslist or ebay, but if you are wanting the picture quality you received from your older set, it is the only place you will probably find one. If your looking for a 27", yes the KV27HS420 would be your best bet. Good luck in your search.

You might be able to find some new old stock at a retailer but that is probably a long shot. You might want to check smaller retailers who have less turnover. Also on Craigslist be sure to negotiate if you go that way. I have been looking at 4 cities (my own and three others within a 90 min drive) and these things just aren't moving. I have contacted people on ads that were over 30 days old (in the smaller markets when the ads last longer) and I would say around 75% of the folks I have contacted still have their TV. I have had folks offer to drop the price 25-30% so far without me asking. So far I haven't found the combination of model/price/location that I am looking for so I haven't bitten or really negotiated. Unfortunately many people look at what they paid rather than what these things are worth today.

I am looking to replace my 15 year old 27-inch Sony CRT TV with whatever is made today that comes the closest to duplicating its quality. I watch standard definition material exclusively and I don't need anything fancy. What I do need is a tube tv that very simply, produces the same *absolutely perfect* picture quality that my ancient one from 1993 does. Your best bet is looking for used TVs on Craigslist. I just realized OP actually is IN Canada - and may want to check the CRTs still being offered at Sears Canada . There actually are some analog CRTs still being sold in Canada, such as these:

32" JVC AV32WE36 at Sears Canada (http://www.sears.ca/gp/product/B000SRIZS4/sr=1-1/qid=1208560609******sr_1_1/105-5248112-2512433?ie=UTF8&searsBrand=core&mqnodeid=396523011)

27" Toshiba 27A46C at Sears Canada (http://www.sears.ca/gp/product/B0013CWFQQ/105-5248112-2512433?ie=UTF8&searsBrand=core)

For American readers, there is zero percent chance of having one shipped commercially from a Canadian retailer to the US because of the FCC requirements for an integrated ATSC tuner. I'm not aware of any customs rule preventing an American who drives back from Canada from importing a TV for personal use. Bear in mind the factory warranty might not be honored in the U.S. See also US Customs & Border Protection FAQs on Clearing Customs (http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/clearing/).

For Americans, buying a used TV locally will probably be easier and cheaper than driving to Canada.