Still worth it?

grudy · 08-01-07, 07:37 PM

I have found a lot of used crts on the internet and i want to know are they still worth buying after being used 1-4 years.I really need some input because there doesn't seem to be any good new crt options

tomahawktim · 08-02-07, 01:18 AM

It really is hit or miss when buying used.
You must view the tv with a critical eye, using some dvd that you are very familiar with to attempt to discern what kind of picture quality the tv displays.
That is going to be difficult in the seller's home. The tv may or may not be adjusted correctly, the seller's dvd player or cable/satellite provider may not be any good. It is such a crapshoot.

It is of utmost importance that you browse the user menu settings, paying particular attention to the CONTRAST levels. If the tv has been viewed in 'torch mode' (contrast level up high) then take a pass on that tv.

As far as pricing goes, the seller should not command a premium no matter which tv is being sold.
My Panasonic 34" is still a top notch performer after several years but that doesn't mean it is worth any more that a few hundred dollars on the resale market.

I've mentioned the negative aspects of buying used but please don't let me discourage you.
By all means, take your time and find that hidden gem on the used market. It is out there. Good luck!

grudy · 08-02-07, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomahawktim

It really is hit or miss when buying used.
You must view the tv with a critical eye, using some dvd that you are very familiar with to attempt to discern what kind of picture quality the tv displays.
That is going to be difficult in the seller's home. The tv may or may not be adjusted correctly, the seller's dvd player or cable/satellite provider may not be any good. It is such a crapshoot.

It is of utmost importance that you browse the user menu settings, paying particular attention to the CONTRAST levels. If the tv has been viewed in 'torch mode' (contrast level up high) then take a pass on that tv.

As far as pricing goes, the seller should not command a premium no matter which tv is being sold.
My Panasonic 34" is still a top notch performer after several years but that doesn't mean it is worth any more that a few hundred dollars on the resale market.

I've mentioned the negative aspects of buying used but please don't let me discourage you.
By all means, take your time and find that hidden gem on the used market. It is out there. Good luck!

Thanks that did more than encourage me seeing as i was worried it would be even worth trying. Also can someone explain how bad "torch mode" is. I know it`s not good but what does it do to the tv.

tomahawktim · 08-04-07, 07:01 PM

Basically, you are wearing out the television's useful life by: straining the power supply harder than necessary, compromising proper picture quality, wearing the phosphors quicker.

Manufacturers set the levels at the maximum to attract viewers to the bright, vivid picture in the showroom.

In my experience, using The Avia Guide to Home Theater to adjust my television's settings, CONTRAST is in the 50% range or lower.
Contrast, tint, sharpness, brightness, colour, all work together to render proper picture quality.

John3333 · 08-04-07, 07:55 PM

Is that really true that running a TV in 'torch mode' will 'strain' the power supply?
Or will it only wear out the phosphors, which seems like quite a separate thing.
To me, thinking it will 'strain the power supply' sounds like saying turning up my stereo too loud will 'strain' its power supply, rather than just perhaps ruin the speakers.
Does anyone know have the expertise to give the real answer to this?

rex king · 08-05-07, 10:22 AM

Well, if you do turn your speakers up louder, you do use more power. I'm no expert, but that's a fact. Running the backlight and contrast at max will also use more power. Perhaps "straining" isn't the term you want.

But what running in "torch mode" will do is certainly accelerate the demise of the tube. The phosphors will wear out quicker, so that you find that you have to keep the contrast up to accomodate the dimming of the tube. This in turn, will continue to wear out the tube faster. It's like the differnce between a linear and geometric/exponential decay. I've experienced this and seen this in some display models.

It's not the manufacturers, but the retailers who set the units in torch mode. In most TVs I've seen, the defaults are around 50%.

08-01-07, 07:37 PM	#1 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a4ac4393' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:30&n=a4ac4393' border='0' alt=''></a>
grudy New Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4	Still worth it? I have found a lot of used crts on the internet and i want to know are they still worth buying after being used 1-4 years.I really need some input because there doesn't seem to be any good new crt options

08-02-07, 01:18 AM	#2 \| Link
tomahawktim enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 141	It really is hit or miss when buying used. You must view the tv with a critical eye, using some dvd that you are very familiar with to attempt to discern what kind of picture quality the tv displays. That is going to be difficult in the seller's home. The tv may or may not be adjusted correctly, the seller's dvd player or cable/satellite provider may not be any good. It is such a crapshoot. It is of utmost importance that you browse the user menu settings, paying particular attention to the CONTRAST levels. If the tv has been viewed in 'torch mode' (contrast level up high) then take a pass on that tv. As far as pricing goes, the seller should not command a premium no matter which tv is being sold. My Panasonic 34" is still a top notch performer after several years but that doesn't mean it is worth any more that a few hundred dollars on the resale market. I've mentioned the negative aspects of buying used but please don't let me discourage you. By all means, take your time and find that hidden gem on the used market. It is out there. Good luck! __________________ intrepid enthusiast

08-04-07, 07:01 PM	#4 \| Link
tomahawktim enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 141	Basically, you are wearing out the television's useful life by: straining the power supply harder than necessary, compromising proper picture quality, wearing the phosphors quicker. Manufacturers set the levels at the maximum to attract viewers to the bright, vivid picture in the showroom. In my experience, using The Avia Guide to Home Theater to adjust my television's settings, CONTRAST is in the 50% range or lower. Contrast, tint, sharpness, brightness, colour, all work together to render proper picture quality. __________________ intrepid enthusiast

08-04-07, 07:55 PM	#5 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
John3333 Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 17	Is that really true that running a TV in 'torch mode' will 'strain' the power supply? Or will it only wear out the phosphors, which seems like quite a separate thing. To me, thinking it will 'strain the power supply' sounds like saying turning up my stereo too loud will 'strain' its power supply, rather than just perhaps ruin the speakers. Does anyone know have the expertise to give the real answer to this? __________________ John

08-05-07, 10:22 AM	#6 \| Link
rex king Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 61	Well, if you do turn your speakers up louder, you do use more power. I'm no expert, but that's a fact. Running the backlight and contrast at max will also use more power. Perhaps "straining" isn't the term you want. But what running in "torch mode" will do is certainly accelerate the demise of the tube. The phosphors will wear out quicker, so that you find that you have to keep the contrast up to accomodate the dimming of the tube. This in turn, will continue to wear out the tube faster. It's like the differnce between a linear and geometric/exponential decay. I've experienced this and seen this in some display models. It's not the manufacturers, but the retailers who set the units in torch mode. In most TVs I've seen, the defaults are around 50%.