Sony announced their 2007 lineup this morning, and CRTs were conspicuously absent. Lots of new LCDs and Plasmas, but no mention of CRTs. I looked through the press kit hoping that there would be some mention of their lineup for CRTs hidden somewhere, but there wasn't anything. Guess I should try and pick up that 970 I've been eyeing while I still can. It's too bad, really. :(

Go ahead and get the 970. There is no reason for you to wait for something that isn't confimed
and not even shown. Get the 970 and you will get no regrets.

I quest sony will announce later this week or early next in a press release. They don't want to overshadow their spring line up.

I quest sony will announce later this week or early next in a press release. They don't want to overshadow their spring line up.

But wouldn't CRTs be part of that lineup? It doesn't make sense for them to go out of their way to put on a huge press event only to leave all CRTs out for another press release later.

I'd just get the 970. There is virtually zero chance any new models would be better. IN fact, if anything, they'd be a step down from the 970.

Gone from the U.S. mix for the first time this year are CRT-based direct-view sets, which have been based on Sony's exclusive Trinitron tube technology for nearly 40 years, said Phil Abram, Sony Electronics TV marketing VP.

We are moving out of the CRT space in the U.S. and won't be introducing any new 2007 models," Abram told TWICE. "I think this decision is consistent with what we've done in the past with making product transitions. We think the products we are bringing to bear meet our customers' needs for Sony value, and it's getting that much harder in CRT to offer step-up value. The opportunity for high-end CRT, where we have traditionally been strong is going away."

I'd just get the 970. There is virtually zero chance any new models would be better. IN fact, if anything, they'd be a step down from the 970.

My sentiments exactly!

I feel the same way about what's coming up next, if that's "if" they come out with any new CRT models at all this year.

If Sony stops making Direct View CRT sets , as of last year's models, how can we expect to be able to obtain service on the existing models. Once the tube technology is dropped from the product line, how can we expect to be able to get technical support for the sets. I doubt that they are going to maintain a well trained cadre of service technicians for years after they have stopped even making such a product.

That will become a problem after you have given up on CRT - 10 years?

If Sony stops making Direct View CRT sets , as of last year's models, how can we expect to be able to obtain service on the existing models. Once the tube technology is dropped from the product line, how can we expect to be able to get technical support for the sets. I doubt that they are going to maintain a well trained cadre of service technicians for years after they have stopped even making such a product.
I wouldn't worry about it. Most American households still have at least one CRT TV in their home -- it's not like everyone threw out all their CRT TVs just because they bought a LCD for the living room.

There's still a market for CRT TV repairmen, even though there's not much of a market now for new CRTs.

Non Digital old CRT sets are going to become doorstops in 2009. How many HD CRT service technicians are going to be available in a few years that will actually know how to repair a Sony, and will they even have components available. There are people on this thread who are already running into huge delays and problems trying to get service on sets that are just a couple of years old. Imagine how much worse it will be, when Sony is not even making Tube sets.

Non digital CRT won't be obsolete. There is a box tuner that can accept ATSC signal for $50.
The cable/satellite companies has their own digital tuner that can accept ATSC signal. So TV
that doesn't have a digital tuner (ATSC) will still work.

Non Digital old CRT sets are going to become doorstops in 2009.
:rolleyes:

Gone from the U.S. mix for the first time this year are CRT-based direct-view sets, which have been based on Sony's exclusive Trinitron tube technology for nearly 40 years, said Phil Abram, Sony Electronics TV marketing VP.

We are moving out of the CRT space in the U.S. and won't be introducing any new 2007 models," Abram told TWICE. "I think this decision is consistent with what we've done in the past with making product transitions. We think the products we are bringing to bear meet our customers' needs for Sony value, and it's getting that much harder in CRT to offer step-up value. The opportunity for high-end CRT, where we have traditionally been strong is going away."
Not surprising at all. Philips and Sanyo already exited the CRT market as well.

Non digital CRT won't be obsolete. There is a box tuner that can accept ATSC signal for $50.
The cable/satellite companies has their own digital tuner that can accept ATSC signal. So TV
that doesn't have a digital tuner (ATSC) will still work.

Where is there a $50 ATSC tuner with HDMI online?

Not surprising at all. Philips, Sanyo, and Toshiba already exited the CRT market as well.

Yeah, but their CRTs sucked. It would have been nice if Sony has decided to stay in the game since their tubes have a good reputation.

Where is there a $50 ATSC tuner with HDMI online?

Are you really asking this question? First of all you don't need HDMI to get ATSC
signal. Second, your cable company can provide you one and there is a cheap one
online if you find one.

Gone from the U.S. mix for the first time this year are CRT-based direct-view sets, which have been based on Sony's exclusive Trinitron tube technology for nearly 40 years, said Phil Abram, Sony Electronics TV marketing VP.

We are moving out of the CRT space in the U.S. and won't be introducing any new 2007 models," Abram told TWICE. "I think this decision is consistent with what we've done in the past with making product transitions. We think the products we are bringing to bear meet our customers' needs for Sony value, and it's getting that much harder in CRT to offer step-up value. The opportunity for high-end CRT, where we have traditionally been strong is going away."

Werent you the one going around these forums stating that Sony would be announcing 2 new CRT sets this year? What happened with that?

I almost waited for these new sets, based on your advice. Glad I didnt!

Werent you the one going around these forums stating that Sony would be announcing 2 new CRT sets this year? What happened with that?
FWIW, an old NY Times article claimed that Sony would offer two CRTs in 2007, both HDTVs. I personally assumed they would continue selling the 970 and introduce a similar 30". Unfortunately, I guess that's not going to happen. Anyone who expected them to replace the 970 with something better was being naive.

rest in peace Trinitron, you've done well

While I do have a PROFHD1 I still have a 40XBR800 and its still a legend

thats a 4:3 CRT with 16:9 size mode of 36 inches.

Are you really asking this question? First of all you don't need HDMI to get ATSC
signal. Second, your cable company can provide you one and there is a cheap one
online if you find one.

The component input is already occupied.
What cable company? I'm talking about a terrestrial tuner.

Non digital CRT won't be obsolete. There is a box tuner that can accept ATSC signal for $50.
The cable/satellite companies has their own digital tuner that can accept ATSC signal. So TV
that doesn't have a digital tuner (ATSC) will still work.

Even if every thing above can still be done, after 2009, hands up all of you, who want to take this approach, to keep on watching TV in the HD era on an old 4X3 analog set that will only display 480Interlaced resolution. A majority of homes still do not have cable/sattelite services. Broadband will probably make inroads on that market. For all others, they will have to find a converter box. Good luck with that, and all to watch in 480Interlaced. I still maintain that most people will opt to junk their old analog sets.

Most people who have HD sets don't have HD cable, but still think they're seeing HD...

I disagree. There will still be a strong market for SDTV's. Many older people have no interest in HDTV. I've seen HDTV myself, and I was NOT impressed. I'd definitely not pay extra over SDTV for HDTV. Besides, HD is not offered by my cable company, and they have no plans to do so.

I'm keeping all 14 (YES 14!)of my NTSC TV's, thank you. I'm fed up with the constant move to "improved" technology, designed to force consumers to spend their money. I prefer the older and simpler technology. I've pretty much made the committment to ignore any technology advances and stick with my old, low-tech electronics. I've got better things to spend my money on than TV's and home theater. I haven't even been to a movie since 1991....that shows you how much I need a home theater!

Frankly, you guys need to be saving for retirement instead of buying high priced TV's just to impress the neighbors. Chances are, my generation is the last to receive Social Security and be the recipients of company-funded pensions. In fact, I retired just this week, at age 55, as a millionaire. Working for the government has its perks. :cool:

Good for you . Of course you are a clear example of how most consumers behave. That is why there are no movie houses anymore. There were plenty of them every where up until the 1990, when you put them all out of business. Happy retirement. Now go yell at those darn whipper snappers to get off of your lawn. :)

A majority of homes still do not have cable/sattelite services. Broadband will probably make inroads on that market. For all others, they will have to find a converter box. Good luck with that, and all to watch in 480Interlaced. I still maintain that most people will opt to junk their old analog sets.
So you think the same people who aren't willing/able to pay for cable or satellite will replace all of their old analog TVs with HDTVs in 2009? That's an interesting theory.

BTW, you should already be able to find boxes for around $50, DVDRs with ATSC tuners will become available in a few weeks, and we're still two years from the cutoff. Why do you think buying a box is going to be so damn difficult? I doubt it will be a problem.

I disagree. There will still be a strong market for SDTV's. Many older people have no interest in HDTV. I've seen HDTV myself, and I was NOT impressed. I'd definitely not pay extra over SDTV for HDTV. Besides, HD is not offered by my cable company, and they have no plans to do so.

I'm keeping all 14 (YES 14!)of my NTSC TV's, thank you. I'm fed up with the constant move to "improved" technology, designed to force consumers to spend their money. I prefer the older and simpler technology. I've pretty much made the committment to ignore any technology advances and stick with my old, low-tech electronics. I've got better things to spend my money on than TV's and home theater. I haven't even been to a movie since 1991....that shows you how much I need a home theater!

Frankly, you guys need to be saving for retirement instead of buying high priced TV's just to impress the neighbors. Chances are, my generation is the last to receive Social Security and be the recipients of company-funded pensions. In fact, I retired just this week, at age 55, as a millionaire. Working for the government has its perks. :cool:

It sounds to me that you are just making attempts to justify the value of your, utterly outdated, 14 TV sets. If you have better things to spend your money on... it's odd that you bought 14 in the first place.

It sounds to me that you are just making attempts to justify the value of your, utterly outdated, 14 TV sets. If you have better things to spend your money on... it's odd that you bought 14 in the first place.

Read his post of Jan. 30. 2007 in which he said that he was looking for either a 32 or 37 inch LCD. Now he is lecturing people about wasting their money on such stuff. :rolleyes:

So you think the same people who aren't willing/able to pay for cable or satellite will replace all of their old analog TVs with HDTVs in 2009? That's an interesting theory.

BTW, you should already be able to find boxes for around $50, DVDRs with ATSC tuners will become available in a few weeks, and we're still two years from the cutoff. Why do you think buying a box is going to be so damn difficult? I doubt it will be a problem.

Are you going to stay watching 480 Interlaced on an analog tube set for long after the cut off date. Keep in mind, my original point was that I did not think that people would opt to have those sets repaired instead of getting a new HD set, and therefore it would become harder and harder to find someone capable of servicing any Tube set.

Are you going to stay watching 480 Interlaced on an analog tube set for long after the cut off date. Keep in mind, my original point was that I did not think that people would opt to have those sets repaired instead of getting a new HD set, and therefore it would become harder and harder to find someone capable of servicing any Tube set.
I already do most of my viewing on an SDTV, and it's not so terrible, IMO. As for repairing an old analog CRT, who would do that anyway? People won't suddenly forget how to service CRTs in 2009, but most CRTs wouldn't be worth the repair cost anyway. edit: I guess you're worried about finding someone to repair nicer CRTs. I don't understand the concern. People won't forget how to repair CRTs.

The thing that worries me about 2009 is trying to find decent and affordable displays to replace small (~14" and under) CRTs.

Well, I found the article on TWICE that the quote came from. So it appears that something changed between last year when the NYT article came out and now. Better grab those 970's while they're still out there...