I had already asked this question in the newer formats and got a list of LCDs and Plasmas to contemplate.

Unfortunately my budget was altered by a purchase of a new laptop. I know that all those Flat Panel purchasers have to do something with their old CRTs. I am hoping to find a good CRT on Craigslist here and save money for a sound system.

Currently I have an old 27" Sony, which has served me well. I know the Sony 34XBR960 or 34XS95 are the models to look for. On Craigslist I see a few 32" Sony wegas for $2-300, and some other 32-36" models available.

Just wondering on which manufacturers and models to look at. I do have HD Cable, an HTPC and a Wii that I'd like the TV to work with. It does not have to be High Definition but for the right price it would be nice. Right now my only way to judge the TVs is by color and flatness of the tube front...Silver and Flat is good.

What more do I need to know when looking for used CRT's? Make, Models etc.

As a general thing, avoid buying a TV that's been run at maximum contrast for most of its life. I bought a used 34xbr910 from a pawnshop, and the ISF calbrator had to leave the contrast at two-notches from the maximum after calibration. The previous owners really killed the life on that set.

I would look for sets with HDMI/DVI connection as bare minimum. The big three brands are Sony, Panasonic, and Toshiba.

IMO, Sony made the best sets out these three especially for later models. Sony models to look for are xbr960 and xbr955. Xbr910 is also a good set, but it is a bit older, so it misses few of the bells and whistles. All above models have super fine pitch, which gives them substantial advantage in resolution over other tvs on the market.

Other Sony sets are xbr970, xbr800, hs420. These sets have wider pitch(lower resolution), but if you are planning to sit farther than 6 six feet from the set, it should not be a big issue unless you are perfectionist. They are also a bit brighter, so they could be a better fit for brightly lit room.

Some people do not like Trinitron tubes, so they usually go for either Panasonic or Toshiba. These manufactures sets are solid choices. However, there are a few things that you need to be aware of when you are picking either of those. Panasonic sets can not display 720p. This is usually a non issue since most devices will covert 720p to 1080i for you anyway, but this could be a problem if you are planning to use the tv for PS3. Toshibas are considered to be good sets. Last few models were made by Orion, so I would stay away from those.

You see, this is the very reason I wish Sony would have at least one tube TV on the market... I hate having to look on craigslist if I want a TV - CRT is still superior in picture, why the heck did they end it!?

I hope this petition gets started seriously...
http://talksony.com/sony-home-theater-talk/56-petition-sony-tube-tv.html

Okay besides Sony Toshiba and Panasonic get nods for decent models to look for.

So which Toshibas should I avoid to not get the Orion model? Is there a set of years or model #s to avoid. Are there good #s for Toshiba and Panasonic to look for? How about models to avoid in these two or Sony?

I am finding a lot of 32" Sony Wegas for sale. Is there anything to recommend in this size range?

Okay besides Sony Toshiba and Panasonic get nods for decent models to look for.

So which Toshibas should I avoid to not get the Orion model? Is there a set of years or model #s to avoid. Are there good #s for Toshiba and Panasonic to look for? How about models to avoid in these two or Sony?

I am finding a lot of 32" Sony Wegas for sale. Is there anything to recommend in this size range? How about which years to look for?

Sony made the best sets out these three especially for later models. Sony models to look for are xbr960 and xbr955. Xbr910 is also a good set, but it is a bit older, so it misses few of the bells and whistles. All above models have super fine pitch, which gives them substantial advantage in resolution over other tvs on the market.



Some people do not like Trinitron tubes, so they usually go for either Panasonic or Toshiba. These manufactures sets are solid choices. However, there are a few things that you need to be aware of when you are picking either of those. Panasonic sets can not display 720p. This is usually a non issue since most devices will covert 720p to 1080i for you anyway, but this could be a problem if you are planning to use the tv for PS3. Toshibas are considered to be good sets. Last few models were made by Orion, so I would stay away from those.

No XBR955, its XS955.

Almost none will display 720p. So almost all will convert to 1080i.

No XBR955, its XS955.

Almost none will display 720p. So almost all will convert to 1080i.

You are right. I mistyped. It is xs955 and not xbr955. For Panasonics, I meant to say that these sets will not accept 720p signal at all unless there is some kind of device like cable box that will do the signal conversion. Sonys and Toshibas do not have this problem since they will convert 720p to 1080i. I do not believe that there is consumer grade CRT HDTV that can display 720p naively. They are all pretty much 1080i.

Can anyone tell me about the JVC D series?

There is a 36" model for sale for $125 right down the street. Based on a shipping weight of $165 my girl and I may even be able to get it down to the Theater room if it is a decent model.

Or should I stick with a Sony? There are a few 32" ones coming up a week. Any suggestions on what model to look for in a 32" Sony?

I googled "36 JVC D-series", they were not HDTV capable. However,I can't say the one down the street isn't HDTV however. Look for DVI or "1080 720" on the Component video inputs. A 32 inch 4:3 Sony could be the 32HS510 (mine), HS500, XBR400. Those will display HDTV letterboxed. A 34HS510,XBR400,XBR970 is a widescreen 34, not quite as good as the "Super Fine Pitch" models. There were also 30" widescreen Sonys.

Okay thanks for the clarification.

So it looks as the largest HD CRT was a 34" which will be 16:9 ratio. The 32" will be 4:3, 30" will be 16:9 ratio as well.

I appreciate the list of #s also so I can look for models specifically.

Okay thanks for the clarification.

So it looks as the largest HD CRT was a 34" which will be 16:9 ratio. The 32" will be 4:3, 30" will be 16:9 ratio as well.

I appreciate the list of #s also so I can look for models specifically.

The largest widescreen CRTs were 38 inch Loewe and RCA. They have curved screens and do not have HDMI though. For 4:3 ratio, the largest sets were 40 inch xbr800 and xbr700.

Here is the link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FD_Trinitron_WEGA) for Sony models that might be useful.