CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

[draganm]

It's a little ackward to admit this but I haven't bought a new TV since 1993 however in my own defense I would like to point out that my CRT based HT is so awesome that "TV watching" hasn't been at all important to me either.
Neverthless about a month ago my 1993 sony 27" Trinitron went poof. So in looking around I see you can get a 42" 720P Pioneer plasma brand new for $750. delivered. That's pretty good, but it's still a chunk of money.
On craigslist I can get a used Sony 34" HD picture tube for about $300. I will still need to buy a converter box for DTV broadcast of course. i'm really torn on which way to go, but i'm leaning towrds the CRT. Reason's are
1) robustness, my old one lasted 15 years, and this one should last another 10.
2) a saving of $400. over the Plasma
3) CRT is heavy and durable, my 4 + 6 year olds play in the living room and the thought of having a new fragile $750 plasma sitting there is scary. One hit on that screen with a plastic Toy and it's a disaster. A plasma also looks like it can can easilly tipped (TV sits on a small stand in one of those stupid cubby-holes builders did in the 90's).
So any thoughts, is the CRT a better choice for me? Should I get the plasma, if so why?

[Zebu Fellenz]

What model is the Sony HD tube? I seem to recall some of them came with the digital tuner. I would get the CRT.

[macgyver655]

I'd go with the Sony for the reasons you mention plus the cost of repair difference. Flat panel repairs almost 80% of the time require complete board replacement unless you can find someone willing to troubleshoot micro circuitry. I recently priced some boards for a plasma and they were in the range of 450.00 to 795.00 new. You can maybe get used but then you dont know what your getting. You could have that Sony repaired 4 to 5 times versus 1 board replacement. I'm sure there are many other things I can't think of right now.

[draganm]

thanks guys, nice to know I'm on the right track. Unfortunately, I'm not having an easy time finding something. The Sony 34" I was looking at is actually a 30" once I called the guy and got the model number. It's not only very small but it's a giant hunk of sh*t according to most reviews (big surprise there)
http://reviews.cnet.com/direct-view-tvs-crt/sony-kv-30hs420/4507-6481_7-30895537.html?tag=mncol;psum
So I'm not really sure what to do? it seems like 90% of the CR listings are by dumb asses who don't know anything, even getting the size wrong and forgetting to list if it has a remote. I also needed a good reminder of why the Last 10 years of Sony TV's are to be avoided like a Plague.
Sooo, if anyone can recommend a Panny or Toshiba picture tube model, 32" inches or larger, 3 to 5 years old,and preferably HD (not a deal breaker if not), then please let me know. Any advice appreciated.

[JustGreg]

I've got the same 'problem'...sans the kids factor. My 51" Hitachi RPTV is still rockin and rollin; going on 13 years old, but I take it apart every year and vacuum the boards and clean the mirrors and all the connectors, etc. It won't be long tho before the unthinkable will happen. And when the wife loses access to LifeTime and Hallmark...I'll be ******* and elbows looking for a new one...FAST!
I've done a (very) little research and the Panasonic plasma's and LCD's get good reviews for motion blur and black level. Not as great as Sony's pq but from what little research I've done; they're more reliable, cost less, and I'm not supporting the Evil Empire.
I looked at WalPharts offerings for some off brands in the ~$1500 range but they're crap and quickly discarded.
If I could find another model like I have that would do HD I'd buy it in a skinny minute, it's been that good to us. It HAS to have more than 10K hours on it and no image burn on the tubes from what I could see. I do believe the phosphor, electron guns or something is getting weaker tho...it's lost a bit of punch over the years.

I don't obviously own an LCD or plasma display but I've poked at quite a few in the stores and they didn't seem very tippy to me. The base (stand) is weighted and the suckers aren't exactly light. Lighter than CRT pj's and directview for sure...but I didn't see how they could get knocked over except in an all out broohaha. Now flying projectiles...that's probably a deal breaker.

[draganm]

[macgyver655]

JVC's are generally reliable. They have a slight issue in the low voltage supply section but not a real common issue and parts are readily available. Any brand you buy is going to have some type on common issue however some are definitely worse then others. Also, just for reference, Sony Tv's of all style's, (CRT front or rear projection, LCD, DLP, Plasma or whatever) suffer from the same issue as the G90. Proprietary ic's that can sometimes be unavailable for years after their release. I think Sony does this so that people have to take their device to a Sony authorized repair center even after warranty. Eventually Sony liquidates there old stock parts to obselete parts suppliers and the ic's are then available. I've see this for probably 20 years now.

I bet Sony actually has at least a million of the CXD305-127R ic's that seem to be unavailable, but wait and see. Soon enough they will be on the open market.

[draganm]

[paw]

Dragan
This JVC only has an NTSC (analog) tuner. So, no digital OTA reception. Though I think you get you local stations via cable.

143 POUNDS. That's a beast. That's just about my weight after college.

[draganm]